The physiological role of p130Cas in salivary gland development

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10054
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57010:Oral biological science-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Gao Jing 九州大学, 歯学研究院, 助教 (40585882)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 藤井 慎介 九州大学, 歯学研究院, 講師 (60452786)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 顎下腺 / 顆粒性導管 / AR signaling

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We aimed to elucidate the physiological role of p130Cas in salivary glands using epithelium-specific p130Cas-deficient mice. Premature development of granular ducts (GCTs) in the submandibular gland of p130Cas-deficient mice was shown, and nuclear-localized androgen receptors (ARs) were specifically reduced in GCT cells. We found that the expression levels of target genes for AR signaling were markedly reduced in p130Cas-deficient mice, indicating that AR signaling was suppressed. These results suggest that p130Cas plays an important role in the development of androgen-dependent submandibular GCTs by regulating AR signaling.

Free Research Field

生化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

唾液の正常な分泌は口腔の組織と機能だけでなく、全身の健康維持に寄与する。唾液分泌の減少は、舌、口腔粘膜を乾燥させ、咀嚼、嚥下、発音や味覚に障害を生じる。現在、口腔乾燥症に対する治療法は根本的なものがなく、組織再生療法など新しい治療法の開発が望まれる。私たちの結果は、唾液腺の発達に関する新たな洞察を提供し、機能低下した唾液腺の回復を促進する治療戦略の提案につながる。さらに、p130Cas はほかの疾患における性差の制御に関連し、p130Cas 関連シグナル伝達は創薬の新たな標的として機能する可能性がある。