・Furthermore, we determined that this new function to bind proteins to each other by chromatin remodeling complexes³⁾ is required for this process

・These discoveries are expected to lead to further identification of the causes of neural diseases as well as lead to the development of a foundation for medical therapeutics.

The SWI/SNF complex is known to be an important factor in the control of gene expression which changes the chromatin⁴⁾ structure, and has been often reported to be involved in the development of cancer. However, in this study, we discovered that the SWI/SNF complex is active in the ncRNA-dependent assembly of nuclear bodies—it binds multiple proteins to each other in a previously unknown, new function. This discovery is expected to contribute not only to the understanding of ncRNA activities which are still filled with mystery, but also in the identification of the assembly processes of toxic granules detected in neural diseases.

Notes on terminology:

1）Non-coding RNA: RNA molecules which do not contain protein information, but perform other biological functions.

2）Nuclear body: A particle structure existing within the cell nucleus. Mainly works as a site to control gene expression, and a site for synthesis and storage of regulatory factors

3）Chromatin-remodeling complex: Contains chromatin-remodeling activities which change chromatin conformation by utilizing ATP energy, and factors in the control of gene expression on the chromatin.⁴⁾

4）Chromatin: A DNA and protein complex with genetic information, which is folded in the nucleus in a complex manner. Can be detected as a chromosome during cell division.

Tetsurou Hirose, Professor, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University

TEL: +81-11-706-6956

FAX: +81-11-706-7540

E-mail: hirose@igm.hokudai.ac.jp