Molecular mechanisms of production of the novel second messenger cGAMP and its inflammatory signaling

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K19024
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Pathological medical chemistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: MOTANI Kou 徳島大学, 先端酵素学研究所(オープンイノベ), 助教 (70609049)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: DNA / 炎症 / cGAMP / cGAS

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Self-DNA accumulating in the body causes inflammation, leading to development of lethal anemia or polyarthritis. In this study, I found that the novel pro-inflammatory molecule cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) was produced in cells by accumulation of DNA. In addition, DNA-induced production of cGAMP and inflammatory cytokines were prevented by deletion of cGAMP synthase (cGAS). Thus, cGAS and cGAMP would be useful therapeutic target for the DNA-induced inflammatory diseases.

Free Research Field

自然免疫