Molecular dissection of organization and dynamics of membrane lipid domains

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25293015
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biological pharmacy
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: KOBAYASHI Toshihide 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 佐甲細胞情報研究室, 客員主管研究員 (60162004)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 村手 源英 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, その他部局等, 研究員 (30311369) ; 石塚 玲子 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, その他部局等, 研究員 (60342747) ; 阿部 充宏 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, その他部局等, 研究員 (90415068) ; 岸本 拓磨 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 小林脂質生物学研究室, 基礎科学特別研究員 (70585158)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 脂質ドメイン / 脂質ラフト / 脂質の可視化 / 脂質結合毒素 / コレステロール / スフィンゴ脂質 / 脂質の非対称性 / スフィンゴミエリン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the biomembranes, lipids are not randomly distributed. Rather, lipids are asymmetrically distributed between outer and inner membrane bilayer. Even in one layer, lipids form domains. However, the detailed distribution of lipids in biomembranes are not yet elucidated. We have developed various protein probes that bind specific lipids or lipid domains. Using these probes in combination with state-of-the-art microscopy techniques, we clarified the detailed distribution of lipid domains, including lipid rafts, in biomembranes. Application of our strategy to various pathophysiological events such as cell division, cell adhesion and genetic defects in cholesterol and sphingolipid metabolism provided us new aspects of lipid domains.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学