Identification of the ligand of the nuclear receptor COUP-TF for the development of low-cost compound feed for sea urchins

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05778
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 40040:Aquatic life science-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Ura Kazuhiro 北海道大学, 水産科学研究院, 准教授 (90360940)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ウニ / 生殖巣 / 核内受容体 / COUP-TF / リガンド / レポーターアッセイ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

An expression vector of Mesocentrotus nudus COUP-TF was introduced into animal cells to construct a reporter assay system. It was clarified that the total lipid in the sea urchin gonad increases the activity of COUP-TF in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the total lipid was fractionated into four by silica gel chromatography (Fraction 1-4). In the four fractions, Fraction 2 increased the activity of COUP-TF. Furthermore, it was revealed that Fraction 2 does not contain retinoic acid. This indicates that COUP-TF ligands other than retinoic acid may be present in the total lipids of the sea urchin gonads. Furthermore, we used a gonad organ culture system to induce if the MYP gene could be induced in vivo, but the MYP gene could not be induced. There remains a need to further fractionate Fraction2 and conduct addition experiments in the future.

Free Research Field

海産無脊椎動物生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究課題では、脊椎動物から無脊椎動物まで有している核内受容体COUP-TFのリガンドを明らかにすることである。リガンドが不明なCOUP-TFのリガンドを明らかにすることは、学術的にインパクトは高い。また、リガンドを含む天然素材を用いてウニ用配合飼料の設計に応用することは、ウニ養殖技術開発に貢献する。