Physiological analysis of MATE transporters as testosterone transporter

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K18262
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Pharmacology in pharmacy; Medical pharmacy
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: GODA Mitsuhiro 徳島大学, 病院, 特任助教 (40585965)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: MATE / テストステロン / トランスポーター

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The importance of MATE-type transporters as organic cation excretion transporters in the kidney and liver is widely recognized. On the other hand, functions other than organic cation excretion have been suggested, the aim of this study was to determine the function of MATE-type transporter as a testosterone transporter. Using primary cultured pig Leydig cells, we found that MATE-type transporter may be involved in testosterone secretion from Leydig cells and further suggested that human MATE1 may be involved in testosterone transport.

Free Research Field

薬理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究はこれまで有機カチオン輸送体としての機能しか着目されていなかったMATE型輸送体のテストステロン分泌に関する生理的機能を明らかにするだけではなく、脂溶性ホルモンの能動的分泌機構の解明の一助となるものである。テストステロン分泌を効率的に抑制するMATE 阻害剤の創薬により、テストステロン感受性前立腺癌に対するホルモン療法の新規治療戦略の創生につながることが期待される。