[Medical Proteomics]
Medical proteome analysis of osteoporosis- and bone mass-related proteins using the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module of International

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

• It has been suggested that long-duration exposure to microgravity rapidly increases bone resorption and osteopenia (bone loss) to astronauts living in space. Even if the varying proteins in patients with osteoporosis are detected, it is difficult to identify the real disease-related proteins because protein expression is different among individuals.
• In space-based experiments, it is possible to analyze the varying osteopenia-related proteins using genetically identical mice. It is also possible to study the protein fluctuations during pre-, in-, and post-spaceflight of astronauts, with comparative ease. Data obtained from mice can complement astronauts’ data, by presenting tissue samples that cannot be obtained in human research. By combining space-flown mice, astronauts, and ground patient research results, the related proteins of osteopenia can be identified using by the latest proteome analysis techniques. This is the goal of the Medical Proteomics investigation

DESCRIPTION

The goal of Medical Proteome of Osteoporosis and Bone Mass-related Proteins Using the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module of International Space Station (Medical Proteomics) investigation is to detect protein expression changes in blood (serum), femurs, lower jaw bone and skeletal muscles of mice after 4 weeks—housing 1 between μGand artificial 1G groups by using the latest proteome analysis techniques. This study seeks to identify causative proteins of osteopenia by combining with the results of other experiments. One is an International Space Station (ISS) astronaut experiment which is planned in parallel with this investigation, and the other is the Principal Investigator’s preliminary ground research: “Comprehensive Research of Protein Associated with Osteoporosis by Proteomic Analysis“, in which patients of osteoporosis and osteopenia participate. The Investigation team seeks to clarify the relevance between osteopenia in the microgravity environment of space, and osteoporosis on the ground. There is a possibility that common proteins may be involved in the pathogenetic mechanism of osteopenia by spaceflight and osteoporosis on Earth.

SPACE APPLICATIONS

Identifying the proteins related to osteopenia in space supports development of countermeasures to protect the bone health of astronauts.

EARTH APPLICATIONS

Identifying the proteins related to osteopenia in microgravity contributes to development of better diagnosis and treatment for those with bone loss on the Earth.

KIMURA Yayoi [Yokohama City University]