Conformational plasticity of single molecule regulates actin cytoskeletal rearrangement leading to dynamics in higher structure and function of brain

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26460370
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General medical chemistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: SAKANE Ayuko 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(医学系), 助教 (60509777)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 脳の高次構造・機能 / 小胞輸送 / アクチン細胞骨格の再編成 / Rab13-JRAB系

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We generated a structural model of JRAB/MICAL-L2 through a combination of bioinformatic and biochemical analyses and thereby revealed how JRAB/MICAL-L2 interplays with Rab13 and how its conformational change occurs. Moreover, we elucidated that the conformational plasticity in JRAB/MICAL-L2 causes　spatiotemporal actin cytoskeletal rearrangement to control direction and speed of cell movement and traction force of the cell through a robust approach combining cell biology, live imaging, computational biology, and biomechanics. Thus, our multidisciplinary approach brings a novel concept that the conformational plasticity of a single molecule provides dynamics in higher cellular function. These findings will be of help to understand the dynamics in higher structure and function of brain.

Free Research Field

生化学、細胞生物学、分子生物学