Associate Professor (Kyushu University, Medical Institute of Bioregulation)
Present Post, 2003-
Major Research Interests
To understand the molecular mechanisms of cell proliferation, we focus research on regulation system of protein degradation of cell cycle progression, and DNA replication.
Most proteins, which regulate cell cycle progression, require to be expressed during a certain time of the cycle to fulfill their physiological functions. Ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent protein degradation enables these proteins to exhibit well-controlled expression pattern. Recently, it is reported that the breakdown of this system is linked with carcinogenesis and the progression of cancer. It will be capable to regulate the amount of the specific protein in the specific space and time, because protein degradation by ubiquitination reveals very high substrate specificity. Protein degradation by ubiquitin-proteasome system plays an important role in also transcriptional or metabolic regulation.
At this center, we will promote the leading-edge-research on analysis of molecular mechanisms of protein degradation, clarify the pathological condition by the breakdown of this system, and further pursue the possibility to regulate this system for ameliorating the condition.
