A joint research group between Gunma University and the National Research Institute for Agriculture and Food Industry has identified compounds that have the activity of lowering blood glucose levels using genetically modified silk moths.
Gunma University has been working on establishing efficient production methods for useful proteins using genetically modified silk moth and discovering new drug candidate compounds.In order to measure the effect of the compound on the receptor more easily and accurately, the gene of the human receptor is introduced into the silk moth, and the receptor is accepted using the cell membrane of the genetically modified silk moth in which a large number of human receptors are present. We are searching for compounds that bind to the body.
This time, the group focused on GPBA (a type of G protein-coupled receptor) involved in promoting insulin secretion in order to search for compounds that lower blood glucose levels, and activated this receptor to promote insulin secretion. Then, we intensively searched for compounds that can be expected to have the effect of lowering blood glucose levels.As a result, a new compound that activates GPBA was discovered from 10,625 types of compounds contained in the compound library (NPDepo) of RIKEN.In addition, the group confirmed in animal experiments with mice that the compounds found had the effect of actually lowering blood glucose levels.
Gunma University has discovered new analgesic candidate compounds using genetically modified silk moth, and it is expected that new therapeutic drug candidate compounds will be discovered by these methods in the future.
Paper information:[European Journal of Pharmacology] A novel partial agonist of GPBA reduces blood glucose level in a murine glucose tolerance test
