Identification of non-coding RNAs for heterochromatin formation on autosomes

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26650002
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Molecular biology
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Obuse Chikashi 北海道大学, 先端生命科学研究院, 教授 (00273855)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: クロマチン / エピジェネティクス / 非コードRNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The female inactive X chromosome, which has heterochromtic condensed structure throughout the whole chromosome mediated by noncoding RNA, XIST, is a good model for heterochromatin formation. In this study, we searched for non-coding RNAs that act like XIST on autosomes. As a result, proteins that are responsible for heterochromatinization with XIST, were enriched in the Prader-Willi syndrome region, suggesting that these proteins contribute to the condensation in this region. In addition, by the RNA FISH approach, several probes in this region showed positive signals, suggesting the possibility that non-coding RNAs like XIST transcribe from this region. These results will contribute for future study; how non-coding RNA is involved in functional higher order structure of chromatin on autosomes.

Free Research Field

分子細胞生物学