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シマリスの冬眠の分子生物学的研究
塚本, 大輔;高松, 信彦
Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/89104
JaLCDOI : 10.14943/lowtemsci.81.119
KEYWORDS : シマリス;遺伝子発現;体温;肝臓;概年リズム;chipmunk;gene expression regulation;body temperature;liver;circannual rhythm
Abstract
哺乳類の冬眠は，冬眠哺乳動物に特異的な遺伝子やタンパク質が発見されていないことから，哺乳類に共通の遺伝子の機能や発現を冬眠用に再調整することにより発動が制御されていると考えられている．我々は，シマリス（Tamias asiaticus）の冬眠関連タンパク質HPの遺伝子発現の解析をきっかけに冬眠研究を開始し，HP遺伝子の冬眠に伴う発現制御が転写レベルでエピジェネティックに制御されていることを明らかにした．さらに，哺乳類の概日性の体温変動によるHSF1の活性制御機構を利用することにより，シマリスの末梢組織において，概日リズムを形成する時計遺伝子Per2の発現が冬眠期の中途覚醒時に一過性に活性化されることを明らかにした．本稿ではこれらの成果について報告する．
Mammalian hibernation is thought to be regulated by readjusting the function and expression of genes common to mammals for hibernation, since no genes or proteins specific to hibernating animals have been found. We began our hibernation research by analyzing the expression of the hibernation-related protein (HP) genes in chipmunks (Tamias asiaticus), and found that HP gene expression is epigenetically regulated at the transcriptional level in association with hibernation. Furthermore, the expression of the clock gene Per2 is regulated in the chipmunk liver during interbout arousal in the hibernation season, using the regulatory mechanism of HSF1 activity by circadian body temperature fluctuations in mammals.
Mammalian hibernation is thought to be regulated by readjusting the function and expression of genes common to mammals for hibernation, since no genes or proteins specific to hibernating animals have been found. We began our hibernation research by analyzing the expression of the hibernation-related protein (HP) genes in chipmunks (Tamias asiaticus), and found that HP gene expression is epigenetically regulated at the transcriptional level in association with hibernation. Furthermore, the expression of the clock gene Per2 is regulated in the chipmunk liver during interbout arousal in the hibernation season, using the regulatory mechanism of HSF1 activity by circadian body temperature fluctuations in mammals.
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