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

在全变态昆虫的变态过程中，幼虫组织变得不必要的蛹血细胞消除，而成虫盘开始分化成成人组织。在本研究中，我们专注于驱动昆虫变态的分子，并主要分析了（1）幼虫组织的识别和消除以及（2）变态过程中成虫组织形成的分子基础。（3）昆虫社会行为的分子基础作为一个新的研究课题，我们在课题（1）中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。关于项目（2），我们已经建立了一个通过添加蜕皮激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瞬时表达的新蛋白质（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。关于项目（3），我们确定并分析了蜜蜂大脑中表达不同的基因，这取决于它们的行为。我们还分析了工人分泌（下咽）腺细胞的功能灵活性取决于他们的分工。通过本研究，获得了许多有价值的原创性发现，并有望为这一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,