2025.05.19
Two distinct mechanisms of PP2A regulation by methylesterase PME-1 are both essential for mouse development
A research group led by Associate Professor Tsuyoshi Ohama at the Yamaguchi University Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and The Research Institute for Cell Design and Medical Science, in collaboration with RIKEN and Nagasaki University, has revealed that two distinct functions of the protein demethylase enzyme PME-1 are each essential for normal mouse development.
PME-1 regulates the important enzyme PP2A through two different mechanisms: as a “demethylase” and as an “inhibitory factor.”
In this study, mice were generated with each function specifically disrupted. Mice lacking the “demethylating enzyme” function exhibited severe developmental abnormalities and were all stillborn. Conversely, mice lacking the “inhibitory factor” function developed olfactory abnormalities shortly after birth, preventing proper nutrition intake, and all died.
This discovery provides detailed insights into the function of PME-1, which has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, and is expected to significantly contribute to future drug discovery research. These findings were published in The FASEB Journal.
- Division of Translational Research for One Medicine
- Takashi Ohama（Basic Veterinary Science Medicine）
- Paper Title：Two distinct mechanisms of PP2A regulation by methylesterase PME-1 are both essential for mouse development
- Author：Shunta Ikeda, Sana Ando, Nana Kishida, Keiko Tanaka, Masashi Sakurai, Yusuke Sakai, Shinya Ayabe, Saori Mizuno-Iijima, Atsushi Yoshiki, Kenichi Nakashima, Shunya Tsuji, Masataka Asagiri, Taiki Baba, Kohsuke Takeda, Koichi Sato, Takashi Ohama
- Journal: The FASEB Journal (May 15, 2025 issue)
- Publication date: May 6, 2025
- D O I：https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202402617RR
＜Research Inquiries＞
Yamaguchi University Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Basic Veterinary Science Medicine
Takashi Ohama
E-mail: t.ohama@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
＜Public Relations Inquiries＞
Yamaguchi University The Research Institute for Cell Design and Medical Science(Life Science Support Section, Research Institute Division, Academic Research Department)
Tel: 0836-85-3065
E-mail: sh088@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp