Molecular mechanisms of self / non-self recognition and tissue-remodeling during metamorphosis.

在全变形昆虫的变态过程中，蛹血细胞消除了不必要的幼虫组织，而成像盘开始分化为成虫组织。在本研究中，我们重点研究了昆虫变态的驱动分子，主要分析了变态过程中(1)幼虫组织的识别和淘汰以及(2)成虫组织形成的分子基础。(3)昆虫社会行为的分子基础分析，为我们的研究提供了新的视角。在项目(1)中，我们鉴定并克隆了一种新的参与幼虫组织识别的血细胞膜蛋白和一种在肉蝇蛹中肠中表达的蛋白酶。我们还测定了蚜虫胞内共生体Buchnera的全基因组序列，以探讨昆虫胞内共生的可能进化。在项目(2)中，我们建立了添加蜕皮素重塑幼虫中枢神经系统的体外系统；鉴定了在蟑螂腿再生过程中短暂表达的新蛋白（体液凝集素和细胞外基质蛋白）；并鉴定和分析了参与果蝇形态发生的新基因（dad， brinker和Dally）的功能。在项目(3)中，我们鉴定并分析了蜜蜂大脑中不同行为表达的基因。我们还分析了工人分泌（下咽）腺体细胞根据其分工的功能灵活性。本研究获得了许多具有独创性和价值的发现，并有望为该研究领域的进一步发展做出贡献。

During metamorphosis of holometabolous insects, larval tissues that become unnecessary are eliminated by pupal hemocytes, whereas imaginal discs start to differentiate into adult tissues. In this research, we focused on molecules that drive insect metamorphosis and mainly analyzed molecular bases that underlie (1) recognition and elimimation of larval tissues and (2) formation of adult tissues during metamorphosis. We also analyzed (3) molecular basis of insect social behaviors as a new project, to gain more perspective in our research.Concerning project (1), we identified and cloned a novel hemocyte membrane protein that participates in recognition of larval tissues and a protease that is expressed in pupal mid gut of the flesh fly. We also determined complete genome sequence of Buchnera, a intracellular simbiont of aphid, to discuss possible evolution of intracellular simbiosis in insects. Concerning project (2), we have established an in vitro system of remodeling of larval central nervous system by adittion of ecdysone ; identified novel proteins (humoral lectins and extaracellular matrix proteins) that are expressed transiently during cockroach leg regeneration ; and identified and analyzed functions of novel genes that participate in morphogenesis in Drosophila (dad, brinker and Dally). Concerning project (3), we identified and analyzed genes expressed differently in the honeybee brain depending on their behaviors. We also analyzed functional flexibility of worker secretory (hypopharyngeal) gland cells depending on their division of labor. Many original and valuable findings have been obtained through this research and are expected to contribute to further development of this research area,