ストレス制御医学の確立をめざして : DNA チップを用いたストレス評価

Stress is an essential response for all organisms to adapt new, hazardous environments
and is mediated by mutation, reconstitution, and transcription of distinct genes. In mammals,
stress response is regulated by complex neuro-endocrine-immune systems. Recently, RNA
splicing and cap-independent translation are suggested to be involved in stress responses by
facilitating the synthesis of novel stress-related gene products. The human genome project
and micoarray techniques make it possible to correctly evaluate complex stress response.
We have developed a DNA chip specifically designed to examine the expression profile of
stress-related genes in human peripheral leukocytes. This novel biomental technique is a
powerful tool to simply, objectively assess stress responses in healthy individuals and
patients with psychiatric disorders. The diagnostic system consisting of the DNA chip and
stress bioinfomatics may provide a new insight into the pathogenesis of stress-related
disorders.

四国医学雑誌 : http://www.tokushima-u.ac.jp/med/research/shikoku_acta_medica.html