Basic research for establishment of the diagnostics in stress-induced depression

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07929
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52010:General internal medicine-related
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: FUNAKAMI Yoshinori 近畿大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (70449833)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 慢性ストレス / うつ / 神経新生 / RNA結合タンパク質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated how chronic stress affects hippocampal neurogenesis to cause depression. The following findings were obtained: (1) Chronic stress decreases hippocampal neurogenesis involved in emotional experience and memory.(2) Neuron-specific RNA-binding protein Hu is involved in hippocampal neurogenesis.(3) Chronic stress reduces the expression of RNA-binding protein Hu, which plays an important role in neuronal differentiation. These results suggest that chronic stress reduces hippocampal neurogenesis via decreased expression of Hu protein.

Free Research Field

生化学・薬理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ストレスはうつ病や不安障害など精神系疾患を発症させる一要因であるが，その分子メカニズムの詳細が不明なため診断と治療を複雑化させている。この研究から，慢性ストレスによる神経分化に必要なRNA結合タンパク質Hu発現の低下を介して海馬神経新生を低下を誘発し，ストレスにより発症及び憎悪する可能性が明らかとなり，その診断と治療を向上させる一つの手段となり得ることが期待できる。