Development and characterization of small molecules that regulate clock protein function for analysis of the circadian clock mechanism

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H05590
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Functional biochemistry
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Hirota Tsuyoshi 名古屋大学, トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所, 特任准教授 (50372412)
• Research Collaborator: ITAMI Kenichiro 名古屋大学, トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所, 教授 ; Jeffery Bode 名古屋大学, トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所, 教授 ; SATO Ayato 名古屋大学, トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所, 特任准教授 ; KUWATA Keiko 名古屋大学, トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所, 特任助教
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 概日時計 / 時計タンパク質 / PER / CRY / タンパク質分解 / タンパク質相互作用 / 低分子化合物 / ケミカルバイオロジー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The circadian clock regulates daily rhythms of physiological processes through temporal and spatial organization from molecular to organismal levels. In this study, we focused on stability and complex formation of the clock proteins PER and CRY that play central role in the regulation of circadian period. We searched for regulatory compounds targeting these processes and discovered new compound that selectively control CRY1 function. In parallel, we analyzed post-translational modification of clock proteins by SUMO and identified CRY SUMOylation. By using original tools, we are going to reveal and control the molecular mechanism of the circadian clock.

Free Research Field

時間生物学