Annual Report (2015)

No.27
The NOVARTIS Foundation (Japan)
for the Promotion of Science

平成 27 年度

財団年報 第 27 号

Contents
Ⅰ . Introduction はじめに ............................................................................................ 6
Akimichi Kaneko, MD, PhD
Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Ⅱ . Reports from the Recipients of Novartis Research Grants
研究報告 .................................................................................................................. 8
1. Multipathway analysis of DNA repair using chemical genetics approach .................... 9
Kouji Hirota
Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering,Tokyo Metropolitan University

2. Correlative Atomic Force and Electron Microscopy toward Applications ofAtomic Force Microscopy to Heterogeneous Systems............................................ 12
Katsuya Shimabukuro
National College of Technology, Ube campus

3. Identification of interacting partner for the p65 subunit of inducible transcription
factor NF-kB and development of novel therapy using protein-protein
interaction as the direct target. ................................................................................. 15
Takashi Okamoto
Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences

4. Characterization of the role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) dysfunction in
the development of osteoporosis: Implication of BAT transplantation asa strategy for the treatment of osteoporosis ............................................................. 18
Masanobu Kawai
Department of Bone and Mineral Research
Osaka Medical Center and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health

5. Termination of neuronal migration regulated by morphological control of
migrating neurons in the postnatal brain ................................................................. 21
Masato Sawada
Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences

6. Molecular mechanism of salicylic acid-induced resistanceagainst viruses in plants ........................................................................................... 24
Kenji Nakahara
Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University

7. Elucidation of phospho-signaling regulating mitochondrial stress response .............. 27
Kohsuke Takeda
Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Research

8. Molecular mechanism of malignant tumor formation during chronic hypoxia. ......... 30
Koh Nakayama
Tokyo Medical and Dental University-1-

9. Identification of ubiquitin protease responsible for
peripheral protein quality control ............................................................................ 34
Tsukasa Okiyoneda
Department of Bioscience, Kwansei Gakuin University

10. Development of novel leads base on catalytic asymmetric synthesis:
WecA inhibitors for anti-XDR-TB agent and cancer-stroma interaction
disruptor for anticancer agent .................................................................................. 37
Takumi Watanabe
Institute of Microbial Chemistry

11. Discovery of New Drug Candidates Based on Development ofSite-selective Direct Functionalization of Pyridones .............................................. 40
Koji Hirano
Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University

12. Research on Asymmetric Membrane Elongation Critical for
Symmetric Cell Division ......................................................................................... 43
Tomomi Kiyomitsu
Nagoya University

13. “Memory priming” that determines the start of the critical period for learning. ............... 46
Koichi J. Homma
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University

14. Development of transdermal vaccination system controlled by near-infrared light ... 49
Takuro Niidome
Kumamoto University

15. Dissecting the mechanism of cellular senescencethat regulates tumor microenvironment ................................................................... 52
Shizue Ohsawa
Kyoto University

16. Research on physiological and pathological roles of skin microbiome ...................... 54
Ken Natsuga
Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine

17. The role of sialidase in Group B Streptococcus pathogenesis..................................... 56
Masaya Yamaguchi
Department of Oral and Molecular Microbiology
Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry

18. Development of novel treatment strategies targeting the R-spondin-LGR5
axis of brain tumor stem cells .................................................................................. 59
Ryo Nasu
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine

19. Elucidating how the auditory information is integrated
by morphological techniques ................................................................................... 62
Tetsufumi Ito
University of Fukui-2-20. CARTS-mediated protein transport from the Golgi complex to the cell surface ........ 65
Yuichi Wakana
School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences

21. MT1-MMP in multiple myeloma: a novel modulator of the microenvironment ........ 68
ベアーテ ハイジッヒ
Beate Heissig
Institute of Medical Science The University of Tokyo

22. Research on the role of the novel adipocytokine in heart disease ............................... 70
Noriyuki Ouchi
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine

23. Development of gene-modiﬁed T cells inducing potent survival andmigration of anti-tumor T cells ................................................................................ 73
Koji Tamada
Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine

24. The apoptosis-inducing mechanism of biselyngbyaside, a marine macrolide. ........... 76
Kiyotake Suenaga
Keio University

25. Functional analysis of Wnt3 factor regulating adult stem cells................................... 79
Tomoko Kuwabara
Research Center for Stem Cell Engineering,
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

26. Functional analysis of a novel suppressive factor at fertilization................................ 83
Naofumi Miwa
Toho University, School of Medicine, Department of Physiology

27. Development of tubular construct based on heparin-collagen conjugate .................... 86
Hiroyuki Ijima
Kyushu University

28. Analysis of non-coding RNA-Proteins interaction
regulating sister chromatid cohesion ....................................................................... 89
Takashi Ideue
Graduate School of Science Technology, Kumamoto University

29. Research on the molecular mechanism underlying activation ofpurinergic P2Y6 receptors and its application to the treatment of heart failure ...... 92
Motohiro Nishida
Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience (National Institute forPhysiological Sciences), National Institutes of Natural Sciences

30. Potential of mesenchymal stem cell as drug target...................................................... 96
Takeshi Takarada
Kanazawa University Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences-3-31. Molecular mechanism of cell extrusion, a unique mode ofcell death in epithelia ............................................................................................... 99
Kohki Kawane
Kyoto Sangyo University

32. Elucidation of the novel signal networkthat regulates trafﬁcking of secretory lysosomes................................................... 103
Yoshinori Fukui
Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University

33. Genetic analyses of regulatory network of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells.... 105
Kyoji Horie
Nara Medical University

34. Analysis of the centrosome-independent assembly of female meiotic spindles ....... 108
Asako Sugimoto
Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University

35. Research on glycoconjugate regulation in stem cell homeostasis ............................. 111
Masashi Toyoda
Research team for geriatric medicine (Vascular Medicine),Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology

36. Identiﬁcation of schizophrenia-like phenotypes by temporal regulationin calcineurin function in mice ............................................................................. 114
Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University

37. Synthesis of carbon-dioxide-derived novel environment-conscious amphiphilic
graft copolymers and construction of their molecular assemblies......................... 117
Satoshi Honda
Tokyo University of Science

38. The Identiﬁcation of Exosomal Micro RNA Speciﬁc for the Recurrence of
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ..................................................................................... 120
Keishi Sugimachi
Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Beppu Hospital

39. Phosphoproteomic analysis of mitotic chromatin ..................................................... 122
Shinya Ohta
Medical School, Kochi University

40. Research on post-translational modiﬁcation process of bacterial lipoproteins ......... 125
Kenji Kurokawa
Nagasaki International University

41. Development of a novel catalytic asymmetric method for the incorporation ofa biologically signiﬁcant triﬂuoromethyl group .................................................... 128
Yoshitaka Hamashima
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka-4-42. Spatiotemporal analysis of oncogenic signaling by Kit tyrosine kinase~Mechanism of autonomous proliferation in mastocytosis andgastrointestinal stromal tumor~ ............................................................................. 131
Yuuki Obata
Division of Immunobiology, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences,
Tokyo University of Science

Ⅲ . Reports from the Recipients of Grants for International Meetings
研究集会報告 ....................................................................................................... 136
1. The 22nd International Symposium on Molecular Cell Biology of Macrophages(MMCB2014)............................................................................................................. 137
Toshiyuki Tanaka
Professor, Hyogo University of Health Sciences

2. Origins 2014: 2nd ISSOL-Astrobiology and Bioastronomy commission 51
International Bioastronomical Union Joint International Conference ................... 138
Akihiko Yamagishi
Professor of Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences

3. 2014 C.elegans Development, Cell Biology and Gene Expression Meetingin association with The 6th Asia-Paciﬁc C. elegans Meeting ................................... 139
Prof. Asako Sugimoto
Laboratory of Developmental Dynamics, Graduate School of Life Sciences,
Tohoku University

4. 39th Annual International Herpesvirus Workshop ...................................................... 140
Koichi Yamanishi (Director General, Biken Foundation of Osaka University)
Yasushi Kawaguchi, DVM (Professor, The University of Tokyo)
Yasuko Mori (Professor, Kobe University)

5. International Symposium on Multi-dimensional Fluorescence Live Imaging of
Cellular Function and Molecular Activities........................................................... 141
Michiyuki Matsuda
Kyoto University Graduate School of Biostudies

Ⅳ . The 28th (ﬁscal year 2014) Promotion Report
第 28 期 （2014 年度） 助成事業報告 ............................................................... 145
Ⅴ . The 28th (ﬁscal year 2014) Financial Report
第 28 期 （2014 年度） 財務報告 ....................................................................... 151
Ⅵ . List of the Board Members
役員名簿 .............................................................................................................. 153
Ⅶ . Information from the Secretariat
事務局便り ........................................................................................................... 157-5-

Introduction

Akimichi Kaneko, MD, PhD
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
This booklet includes research and meeting reports written by the 2013 grantees. The
Foundation was originally established on September 4, 1987 with basic assets of JPY 1
billion donated by Ciba-Geigy AG, Switzerland for the purpose of contributing to academic
development and thus improving public health and welfare by means of promoting creative
research and international exchange in the field of life science and related chemistry. Since
then, the Foundation has granted nearly JPY 1.8 billion to approximately 1,550 researches andinternational exchange activities. The Foundation supports basic researches in the field of life
science and related chemistry. They may not develop directly into applications, but accumulationof new findings and theories will open a road to application research and business someday.
The tireless effort of researchers including the present grantees is the driving force topromote and to keep the high standard of the Japanese life science. I strongly believe that theaim of the Foundation is to help keeping their activity and we will do our best toward this goal.
We are encouraged by warm acknowledgements to the Foundation written in many publicationsof grantees.
I sincerely appreciate the assistance and warm encouragement extended by the membersof the Board of Trustees, the auditors, the Board of Councilors and the Selection Committee.
The powerful support by the Novartis Pharma KK enabled us to sustain our activity without
interruption.

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はじめに
代表理事 金 子 章 道
ここに 2013 年度にノバルティス科学振興財団研究助成金を受けられた方々の研究報告を収録いたしました。 当財団は 1987 年 9 月 4 日、 スイス、 チバガイギー社からの 10 億円のご寄附をもとに、 「生物・生命科学および関連する化学の領域において、創造的な研究ならびに国際交流への助成を行うことにより、 学術の振興を図り国民の健康と福祉の向上に寄与する」ことを目的に設立されました。 爾来 27 年間に約 1,600
件、 金額にしておよそ 19 億円の助成を行ってまいりました。 当財団がご提供する研究費は、 研究に要する総費用のうち微々たるものかもしれませんが、 研究をスムーズに遂行するための役に立てていただくのがその目的です。 事務局に寄せられた発表
論文の謝辞の中にも受賞者のそうしたお気持ちが垣間見られ、 大変嬉しく思っております。
昨年来研究を行う上での不正行為がマスコミでも話題になり、 文科省でも本年 8 月「研究活動における不正行為への対応に関するガイドライン」 が制定されました。 大学などの研究機関において研究の不正防止と研究費の不正使用に関するコンプライ
アンス教育を行うことが義務づけられ、 科研費の申請に当たってはこの講習を受けることが求められることになりました。 研究費の不正使用防止に対する指導は当然でありましょうが、 研究の不正行為防止に対しガイドラインが制定されたということは、 研究者のプライドをひどく傷つける処置であると私は極めて遺憾に感じているところです。
研究は未知の真実を求めてそれを明らかにしようという行為です。 その際に不正を行って論文を作るなどという行為は自らを欺くものであり、 研究者として考えられない行為であります。 勿論、 当財団の助成を受けられるような方々には無関係なことかもしれませんが、 研究者コミュニティーがより健全な状態に復すよう各自の意識を高める
よう世間から努力が求められているのでありましょう。
この年報は受賞者の皆様の素晴らしい研究がまとめられたエッセイ集です。 研究者
お一人おひとりの努力の結晶は我が国の学術水準を発展させていく原動力です。 こ
れらの優れた研究を選考していただいた選考委員の皆様をはじめ、 財団の活動を支えて下さっている関係者の皆様に深く感謝いたします。

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II.
Reports from the Recipients ofNovartis Research Grants-8-

Multipathway analysis of DNA repair
using chemical genetics approach
Kouji Hirota
Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering,Tokyo Metropolitan University
khirota@tmu.ac.jp

Abstract
Maintenance of the genome is pivotal for all life, and multiple pathways redundantly guard genome
from instability. The aim of this study is elucidation of the relationship among multi pathways
dedicating in the maintenance of genome using chemical genetics approach. In this study, we set up
screening platform for inhibitory chemicals to DNA repair enzymes and we got several candidate
compounds for polymerase η inhibitors. We will identify the repair pathway(s) that can compensate
for the role of Polη pathway.
Key words : Genome maintenance, cancer, DNA repair, Polymerase η, Translesion synthesis

Introduction
For cancer therapy, we use DNA damaging agents including ionizing radiation, cisplatin andcamptothecin. The principle of the cancer chemotherapy is that DNA repair and / or checkpoint
activity is usually reduced in cancer cells and thus the cancer cells cause more cell death upon
DNA damage. However, normal tissue is also damaged leading to the severe side effects. Moreover,usually multiple damage tolerance pathways dedicate in the similar DNA damage tolerance andother pathway can compensate for the reduced pathway in cancer cells.
To selectively induce cell death for cancer cells, we wish to establish novel approach ‘inhibition of
the synergy pathway’. In this approach, we inhibit the compensatory pathway and thereby kill only
cancer cells. To establish this method, we need to make assay system to identify inhibitory chemicalcompound. We here established cell based chemical screening system and identified several
inhibitory chemical compounds for Polymerase η.

Results
Simultaneous disruption of two polymerases, Polη and Polζ, unmasks previously unappreciatedrole of Polη in cellular response to a wide variety of DNA lesions.
Replicative DNA polymerases are frequently stalled by DNA lesions. The resulting replication
blockage is released by homologous recombination (HR) and translesion DNA synthesis (TLS). TLS
employs specialized TLS polymerases to bypass DNA lesions. We first analyzed the cooperation
between DNA polymerase η, which is mutated in the variant form of the cancer predisposition
disorder xeroderma pigmentosum (XP-V), and polymerase ζ by generating POLη-/-/POLζ -/- cells-9-from the chicken DT40 cell line. POLζ -/- cells are hypersensitive to a very wide range of DNA
damaging agents, whereas XP-V cells exhibit moderate sensitivity to ultraviolet light (UV) onlyin the presence of caffeine treatment, and exhibit no significant sensitivity to any other damaging
agents. It is therefore widely believed that Polη plays a very specific role in cellular tolerance to
UV-induced DNA damage. The evidence we present challenges this assumption. The phenotypic
analysis of POLη-/-/POLζ -/- cells shows that, unexpectedly, the loss of Polη significantly rescued all
mutant phenotypes of POLζ -/- cells and results in the restoration of the DNA damage tolerance by a
backup pathway including HR (Figure 1). Taken together, Polη contributes to a much wider range of
TLS events than had been predicted by the phenotype of XP-V cells.

Figure1
In 50% of the cancer cells, homologous recombination is inactivated. Thus some cancer cells
survive on DNA damage via TLS pathway and TLS enzymes are usually over-expressed andthereby dedicating to the cellular survival upon DNA damaging agents (such as anti cancer drug).
Thus inhibitor for TLS polymerase might be good candidate for anticancer chemotherapeutic
reagent.
Establishment of cell based chemical screening system
We took advantage of DT40 cell line, which proliferates very quickly (3times division per day) andeasy to treat (suspension cells). Such characteristic is suitable for high-throughput screening. We
optimized assay condition to isolate inhibitor for POLη. We first compared 96 well and 384 wellformat and found that 384 well format was better since 384 well method provided more stable cell
growth condition (Figure2). We established assay to analyze cellular survival. We measured ATPconcentration derived from living cells using Luciferase and confirmed the unit luciferase activity islinearly related to living cell number.

Figure2- 10 -

Isolation of inhibitory chemical compounds for Polη.
We screened chemical library consisting natural compounds. We exposed chemicals and cisplatin
to POLη-/-/POLζ -/ h-Polη- cells. If expressed human Polη is inhibited, the cells might get tolerance tocisplatin. With this principle we screened 60000 natural compounds, and identified 6 candidates forPolη inhibitor (Figure3).

Figure3

Discussion & Conclusion
In this study, we established cell based assay system to isolate specific inhibitors for DNA repair
enzymes. Such specific inhibitor might be used in the next generation cancer chemotherapy basedon the synergy among multi pathways for the genome maintenance (1). Using this novel approach,
we screened natural chemical library for isolating Polη inhibitors. We isolated 6 candidates
compounds. We will test their inhibitory effect in in vitro polymrase η dependent DNA synthesis
assay.
Our current assay system as well as isolated compound might contribute to the next generation
cancer chemotherapy based on the synergy among multipathway for the genome maintenance.

References
1. Method to isolate inhibitory compounds using DT40 DNA repair mutant. Ooka, M and Hirota,K., submitting

一般の皆様へ
本研究では、ゲノムメインテナンスにおける様々な経路間の関係を試験し、お互いに相補的となる経路の関係の解明を行いました。ガン細胞 DNA 修復経路が一般的に減弱しており、減弱経路と相補的関係にある経路を阻害できれば、副作用のない新しい薬剤治療が可能となります。本研究では
さらに、このような阻害化合物の探索プラットフォームを構築し、治療に使える候補化合物を複数得ました。本研究の成果が、今後の新たなガン治療に生かされ、ガンを制圧するための一助となれば幸いです。

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Correlative Atomic Force and Electron Microscopy toward
Applications of Atomic Force Microscopy to Heterogeneous Systems
Katsuya Shimabukuro
National College of Technology, Ube campus
kshimabu@ube-k.ac.jp

Abstract
Applications of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in biological science have been limited to simple
systems in which only one or two proteins exit due to the lack of the ability in current AFM todiscern molecules. Here, we propose a new method called nanoCAFE (nano correlative atomic force
and electron microscopy) to extend the AFM function to heterogeneous systems such as complicatedbiological systems by combining AFM and electron microscopy.
Key words : Atomic Force Microscopy, Electron Microscopy, Correlative Microscopy

Introduction
Microscopy has played a major role in biological since it was invented in 16th century. Several
types of microscopy have been invented, among which atomic force microscopy is one of the mostpowerful systems to investigate specimens at nano-meter temporal resolution. Current applicationsof AFM, however, have been limited to simple systems such as purified proteins due to the lack of
the ability to discern molecules. Essential biological phenomenon like cytokinesis or cell motility,
however, involves many proteins to corporate, which is not feasible to approach with AFM alone.

Results
1. Preparation of a coverslip with thin layer of patterned gold.
Correlative microscopy requires a marker to locate
a region of interest in two different microscopes
based on distinct principles. For this study, we
have employed thin layer of gold as a marker since
it can be visible both by a light and an electron
microscope. To generate a thin layer of gold with adistinct pattern, a finder grid (diameter, 3 mm) was
placed on a coverslip (24 x 40 mm) and gold (10 mg)

㻌
Fig1. The method to create a coverslip with a gold
pattern. (left) Gold heated with a tungsten wire was
evaporated onto a coverslip on which a finder EM
grid was placed. (right) The finder grid used in thisstudy

was evaporated onto it within a vacuum evaporator
by heat. To stabilize the deposited gold layer, the coverslip was baked in an oven at 160 °C for
overnight, then stored at room temperature until use. The gold pattern generated with this method
was clearly visible through an objective lens equipped with AFM as well as under an electron
microscope due to high electron density of gold molecule.

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2. AFM observation
In this study actin filaments were used to exam the feasibility of our idea because its physicalproperties have been extensively studied since advent of electron microscopy and atomic force
microscopy. First, actin filaments were adhere to the coverslip surface for incubating 15 minutesat room temperature. After three times wash of MOPS buffer (10 mM MOPS pH 7.0) to removed
unattached actin filaments, they were fixed with 1.25 % glutaraldehyde and 2 mg/ml tannic acid in
MOPS buffer for 20 minutes at room temperature. We found that tannic acid is essential to preserve
the actin filament morphology. The surface of the coverslip was imaged with high-speed AFM
invented by Dr. Ando group recently. Scanning area was set to be 3 μm x 3 μm and multiple images
were acquired and averaged to reduce background noise. The cantilever position relative to the gold
pattern on the coverslip was also recorded through an objective lens equipped with the high-speed
AFM. After AFM observation the AFM stage was kept in MOPS buffer in a 1.5 ml plastic tube at 4
°C until use.
3. Preparation EM replica
The coverslip was gently taken apart from the AFM stage in MOPS buffer in a plastic dish andpost-fixed with 1 % osmium oxide for one hour on ice under dark condition. After the coverslip waswashed with distilled water five times, the specimen was dehydrorated with ascending ethanol from0 to 100 %. The coverslip was, then, transferred to a chamber in a critical point dryer (Hitachi,
CPD2) followed by ten times replacement of ethanol to liquid from CO2. Temperature and pressure
were raised to critical point where liquid phase CO2 turns into gas phase without generating surface
tension, thus little sample distortion is entailed. Platinum and carbon were evaporated onto the dry
specimen and the replica was recovered under a dissecting microscope.
4. EM observation
The specimen was observed under an electron microscope operated
at 80 kV. As the gold pattern was clearly visible it was possible tofind the same area in which we have investigated with AFM. As
show in Fig.2 the same area can be observed both by AFM and EM.

Discussion & Conclusion
Many essential biological phenomenon require tens or hundreds ofproteins to cooperate to function. Therefore, technologies to enable

Fig. 2 An example of correlative
atomic force and lightmicroscopy. Scale,0.5 μm.

㻌analysis such heterogeneous systems are highly required. Here, by combing AFM and EM we havedeveloped a technique which allows us to investigate molecules in two different microscopy. The
powerful High-speed AFM enables one to observed the protein dynamics at nm and ms resolution,otherwise electron microscopy makes it possible to discern molecules. Thus, correlative atomic
force and electron microscopy could be a powerful method to dissect complicated biologicalphenomenon.

- 13 -

References
山田裕太郎、春山隆充、紺野宏記、島袋勝弥、ナノ相関顕微鏡法の開発 - ヘテロな系に向けた AFM と電子顕微鏡の融合、2015 年

生体運動合同班会議、2015 年 1 月 7 － 9 日、学習院大学

一般の皆様へ生物の体の中には無数のタンパク質が詰まっています。このタンパク質が共演することで細胞が分裂できたり、動いたりすることができます。これまでの実験技術はある特定のタンパク質を取り出して調べることが主でした。しかし、これではタンパク質の共演は分かりません。そこで、我々はナノ相関顕微鏡という方法を作り出し、タンパク質の共演を調べる実験系を立ち上げました。

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Identification of interacting partner for the p65 subunit of inducible
transcription factor NF-kB and development of novel therapy using
protein-protein interaction as the direct target
Takashi Okamoto
Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences
tokamoto@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp

Abstract
In order to decipher the interacting partners for a transcription factor NF-kB, p65 subunit, we havepreviously applied the yeast two-hybrid system and identified seven new molecules (see referencelist). In the present study, we have further explored novel interacting partners of NF-kB p65 byapplying TOF-MAS spectrometry. Using this method we found additional proteins that have notbeen described before. Although we can not currently disclose the identity of these proteins, ourfindings indicate how NF-kB activity is controlled and, furthermore, have paved a way to develop
new therapeutic strategy to prevent the NF-kB action.
Key words : NF-kB, protein-protein interaction (PPI), yeast two-hybrid system, TOF-MAS, therapy

Introduction
NF-kB plays crucial roles in development of cancer/leukemia by down-regulating cell apoptosis
as well as upregulating cell growth, by upregulating negative apotosis regulators such as cIAPs and
Bcl-XL, and positive regulator of cell proliferation including Cyclin D1 and c-Myc, respectively.
Since biological actions of NF-kB are tightly and specifically controlled by PPI, elucidation ofsuch protein partners and structural analysis of theirf interacting surface should provide useful
information for the development of effective and specific therapy. In this study, we have adopted
TOF-MAS spectrometry as well as yeast two-hybrid system and identified a series of novel
interacting protein partners.

Results
We have isolated the following p-65 interacting proteins: RAI [J Biol. Chem. 274, 15662, 1999],
53BP2 [Oncogene 18: 5177, 1999], AES/TLE [J Biol Chem 275: 4383, 2000], FUS/TLE [J Biol Chem
276: 13395, 2001], AO7 [J Biol Chem 278: 26879, 2003], RNA helicase A [Eur J Biochem 271:
3741, 2004] and AKIP1 [J Biol Chem 283: 7834, 2008; J Biol Chem 28097, 2010]. These molecularpartners could explain how intracytoplasmic NF-kB/IkB complex is activated and recruited into
the nucleus (AKIP1) and the induced transcription of NF-kB target genes are fensued for elongation(AES/TLE and RNA helicase A), and how thus activated transcription is downregulated in the
nucleus (RAI). Moreover, we found for the first time that one such interacting patner 53BP2 (alsoknown as ASPP2) is actually an pro-apoptotic factor and efficiently inhibited by NF-kB. Then we- 15 -

extended our study using the same yeast two-hybrid system using commercial service coveringover 2 million independent clones for its interaction with p65 (performed by Hybrigenetics with us).
However, any further revlevant molecules were identified. We the extended our study by adopting
TOF-MAS system in which the cellular proteins co-immunoprecipitated with exogenously expressed
p65.were analyzed. We found a number of biologically significant proteins, but it is still too early todisclose their identities and natures.
In addition, we carried out the structure biological study together with computational chemistry (or“structural bioinformatics”) to further clarify the protein-protein interaction (PPI) surface. However,as the prerequisite of this study is the coordinate data of such interacting molecules we used anotherfunctional protein complex Tat and Cyclin T1. These results have been published in the following:[J. Mol. Biol. 410: 887, 2011; PLosONE 2015 10: e0119451]. In these papers we have describedrational strategy for the drug development using structural bioinformatics including moleculardocking simulation.

Discussion & Conclusion
It is widely believed that the protein-protein interaction (PPI) of the functional molecules that are
responsible for certain pathological processes should be the next target of drug development. And
that the development of small molecular compounds that fits the interaction cavity and prevents
such interactions could be drug candidates. There have been a number of publically open forum
for the structural data (coordinates) of such pathogenically crucial proteins. As we have adopted,
transcription factor NF-kB is undoubtedly one such molecule. It is easily envisaged that specificcompounds that prevent one of the interacting surface with particular p65-binding partner should
give a specific therapeutic clue for the disease processes and even a ultimate cure.
Thus, we conclude that our strategy could not only unveil the previously un-explored world of
pathogenic molecular processes but also directly provide cures as a form of small molecular weightcompounds. Using these 3D structural information, we should be able to develop new therapeutic
regimen against the diseases that had never been explored.

References
1) Yang et al. J. Biol. Chem. 274, 15662, 1999
2) Yang et al., Oncogene 18: 5177, 1999
3) Tetsuka etb al. J Biol Chem 275: 4383, 2000
4) Uranishi et al., J Biol Chem 276: 13395, 2001
5) Asamitsu et al., J Biol Chem 278: 26879, 2003
6) Tetsuka et al. Eur J Biochem 271: 3741, 2004
7) Gao et al., J Biol Chem 283: 7834, 20088) Gao et al. J Biol Chem 28097, 20109) Asamitsu et al., J. Mol. Biol. 410: 887-895, 201110) Asamitsu et al., PLoSONE, 10: e0119451, 2015

- 16 -

一般の皆様へ
この研究はがん・白血病が多くの炎症性疾患と共通に持つ分子基盤である転写制御因子の NF-kBという分子に注目して進めています。生体内のどのような分子も生物学的活性を発揮するためには別の分子と特異的に結合し作用を及ぼし合う必要があります。我々は NF-kB 分子と結合する分子を新たに７種類発見し、その数は増え続けています。また、構造生物学や計算化学を使ってこれらの相互作用する局面の構造を解析し、効率よく特異的な薬剤の開発にも取り組んでいます。

- 17 -

Characterization of the role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) dysfunctionin the development of osteoporosis: Implication of BAT transplantation
as a strategy for the treatment of osteoporosis
Masanobu Kawai
Department of Bone and Mineral Research
Osaka Medical Center and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Healthkawaim@mch.pref.osaka.jp

Abstract
In the current study, we have shown that BAT dysfunction may be responsible for bone loss in partby stimulating sympathetic activity. These findings may shed light on the novel mechanisms of thedevelopment of bone loss and may provide a therapeutic strategy to combat osteoporosis.
Key words : Osteoporosis, brown adipose tissue, sympathetic activity

Introduction
Osteoporosis is a worldwide health problem. Pathogenesis of osteoporosis is heterogeneous, but
increasing amount of evidence indicates the critical role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in thisprocess (1). Since sympathetic activation has been shown to cause bone loss (2), we speculated thatcompensatory activation of sympathetic tone in response to BAT dysfunction was involved in thedevelopment of bone loss. In the current study, we tested this hypothesis using osteoporotic Klothodeficient mice (KL KO mice) in which BAT function was impaired.

Results
1. BAT function is impaired in KL KO mice
We first examined the BAT function in KL KO mice and found a decrease in rectal temperature
in KL KO mice compared to littermate wild-type control mice. BAT weight was decreased in KL
KO mice, but the difference was disappeared when BAT weight was normalized to body weight.
HE staining of BAT did not show significant difference between control and KL KO mice, but
Ucp1 expression was reduced in KL KO mice, suggesting the decreased heat generation in KL KO
mice. Additionally, the induction of Ppargc1a by a β3-adrenergic agonist was also impaired in KL
KO mice. Rectal temperature in KL KO mice decreased when mice were placed at 6 °C, whereas
control mice tolerated the coldness. Immunostaining of BAT revealed the massive accumulation ofoxidative stress, which resulted in the apoptotic changes of brown adipocytes in KL KO mice. These
results indicate that the increase in oxidative damage causes BAT dysfunction in KL KO mice.
2. Molecular Mechanism of BAT dysfunction of KL KO mice
To understand the molecular mechanisms of impaired BAT function, mice were fed low phosphate
diet to determine whether hyperphosphatemia in KL KO mice was responsible for BAT dysfunction- 18 -

because KL KO mice have been shown to be hyperphosphatemic due to the lack of FGF23/KL
signaling pathway. Correction of hyperphosphatemia resulted in the improvement of BAT function
associated with reduction of oxidative damage in KL KO mice, suggesting that hyperphosphatemia
is responsible for impaired BAT function in KL KO mice. Mechanistically, we identified that
inorganic phosphate (Pi) suppressed PTEN expression and activated Akt/mTORC1(mTOR
complex 1) pathway in KL KO mice. To determine whether mTORC1 activation is a cause of
BAT dysfunction, KL KO mice were treated with rapamycin, a mTORC1 inhibitor. As expected,
rapamycin-treatment decreased oxidative damage in KL KO by increasing the expression of antioxidant genes and improved BAT function. These lines of evidence demonstrate that Pi-induced
PTEN suppression and mTORC1 activation is responsible for BAT dysfunction in KL KO mice
3. Skeletal Phenotypes in kl-/- mice
We determined whether compensatory activation of sympathetic activity in response to BAT
dysfunction was operative in KL KO mice. We measured urine epinephrine levels as a marker
for sympathetic tone and found that it was elevated in KL KO mice. By histological analysis,
as previously reported, we found a significant thinning of cortical bone in KL KO mice. Gene
expression analysis revealed the decreased levels of Col1a1 and Osteocalcin and increased levelsof Rankl in KL KO mice. To analyze whether the increase in sympathetic activity is responsible
for the osteoporotic phenotypes in KL KO mice, we treated mice with β-blocker, propranolol, toinhibit sympathetic activity. As expected, expression of Rankl was suppressed by β-blocker, but
expression of Col1a1 or osteocalcin was not affected by the administration of β-blocker, suggestingthat sympathetic activation by BAT dysfunction may be involved in the osteoporotic phenotypes in
KL KO mice in part by enhancing the expression of Rankl in KL KO mice.

Discussion & Conclusion
Osteoporosis is an emerging health problem and it is important to understand the mechanisms
underlying the development of bone loss. Recently, accumulating evidence indicates the criticalrole of BAT in the regulation of wide range of metabolic processes including skeletal metabolism(1). I have previously reported that sympathetic activation in Misty mice in which BAT function is
impaired showed bone loss, which was reversed by blocking sympathetic activity (3). In the current
study, this hypothesis was further confirmed by the use of osteoporotic KL KO mice in which BAT
function was impaired. In addition, we have identified that the increase in circulating Pi levels
have a negative impact on BAT function, suggesting that hyperphosphatemia may also decreasebone mass in part by impairing BAT function. These findings imply that BAT function is criticalin the regulation of bone mass and that targeting BAT function may have therapeutic potential for
osteoporosis treatment.

- 19 -

References
1. Bredella MA et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Apr;97(4):E584-90
2. Elefteriou F et al. Nature. 2005 Mar 24;434(7032):514-20.
3. Motyl KJ et al. J Bone Miner Res. 2013 Sep;28(9):1885-97.

一般の皆様へ骨粗鬆症の予防・治療は、非常に重要な医学的課題です。この課題を克服するには、骨粗鬆症の発症機序を充分に解明する必要があります。本研究課題では、褐色脂肪組織に注目し、その機能低下が骨粗鬆症の原因となる可能性を示しました。本研究結果から得られた知見は、褐色脂肪組織の機能改善が、骨粗鬆症の治療標的になりうることを示すものであり、健康長寿社会の実現に資する結果であると思われます。

- 20 -

Termination of neuronal migration regulated by morphological controlof migrating neurons in the postnatal brain
Masato Sawada
Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciencesmsawada@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp

Abstract
In the postnatal brain, neural stem cells still reside in the restricted regions and generate newneurons. These new neurons migrate for a long distance toward the final destinations, where theyterminate their migration and differentiate into mature functional neurons. In this study, we found amechanism for termination of neuronal migration regulated by morphological control of migrating
new neurons. This finding suggests the importance for morphological regulation of migrating newneurons on maintenance of neuronal circuits in the postnatal brain.
Key words : adult neurogenesis, ventricular-subventricular zone, olfactory bulb, neuronal migration

Introduction
New neurons are constantly generated from neural stem cells in the ventricular-subventricular zone
(V-SVZ) in the postnatal brain. These new neurons migrate toward the olfactory bulb (OB), where
they terminate their migration and differentiate into mature olfactory interneurons. Morphology
and synaptic targets of new neurons are determined depending on their final positioning in the OB,
which constitute the basis for OB circuitry. However, how migrating new neurons terminate theirmigration and start to differentiate at the appropriate positions in the postnatal OB remain unknown.

Results
To understand how new neurons terminate their migration and start to differentiate at theappropriate positions within the postnatal OB, we focused on the morphological changes of
migrating new neurons after reaching to the OB. To observe the morphology of migrating newneurons in the OB, lentivirus expressing fluorescent proteins was injected into the V-SVZ, andmorphology of infected new neurons migrating in the cultured slices of the OB was observed bytime-lapse imaging using laser-scanning confocal microscope. During maintenance of migration,
new neurons showed bipolar morphology with a single leading process and a short trailing process.
We found that during termination process of migration, bipolar-shaped migrating new neurons
occasionally form lateral processes branched from the leading process, and gradually decrease
their migration speed. In addition, some of these lateral processes gradually developed to dendritic
structures. These results suggest that mechanisms that regulate neuronal migratory morphology
determine the final positioning of new neurons in the OB.
Semaphorin3E (Sema3E) and its receptor PlexinD1 are reported to act as a repulsive cue by
regulating Ras and Rho family small GTPases and actin cytoskeleton in vascular and neuronal- 21 -

development. Previous studies suggest that this signaling controls patterning of intersomitic bloodvessels during embryonic stage1,2. In the developing brain, Sema3E induces repulsion of axons in
the cortical neurons3. In the postnatal RMS and OB, we found that PlexinD1 expression is observedin bipolar-shaped migrating new neurons, but gradually decreased in lateral-process-bearing ones
before termination of migration. On the other hand, Sema3E was expressed in a subset of matureolfactory interneurons located in the superficial layers of the OB. These expression patterns suggest
the possibility that Sema3E-PlexinD1 signaling acts on the morphological regulation of migrating
new neurons in the postnatal OB.
To investigate the role of Sema3E-PlexinD1 signaling on the morphology of migrating newneurons, we cultured V-SVZ-derived migrating new neurons in vitro. As similar to migrating newneurons observed in the cultured slices of the OB, migrating new neurons showed single leading
process and occasionally formed lateral processes. We found that addition of Sema3E protein
suppresses formation of lateral processes in migrating new neurons, which is canceled by expressing
plxnd1 shRNA. These results suggest that Sema3E-PlexinD1 signaling maintains the immaturemorphology of migrating new neurons.
Since lateral processes are found to be F-actin-rich structures, we next focused on Rho familysmall GTPases, which are reported to be one of the downstream factors of various SemaphorinPlexin signaling and critical regulators for F-actin cytoskeletal reorganization. We previously
reported FRET (Fluorescence resonance energy transfer) imaging in V-SVZ-derived migrating
new neurons to analyze the spatiotemporal activation patterns and functions of Rho family small
GTPases4,5. By using this imaging technique, we analyzed the activities and roles of Rho familysmall GTPases on the regulation of migratory morphology in new neurons by Sema3E-PlexinD1
signaling. These experiments suggest that Rho family small GTPases act downstream of Sema3E
and PlexinD1, and control the formation of lateral processes in migrating new neurons, which leads
to the maintenance of migratory morphology in new neurons.

Discussion & Conclusion
Recent studies suggest that new olfactory interneurons are involved in various olfactory functions
including odor discrimination and short-term memory6-8. Each new neuron makes synapses withseveral kinds of principle neurons in the OB, mitral and tufted cells, depending on their final
positions, which constitute the basis for OB circuits. Therefore, regulation of final positions of newneurons in the postnatal OB is thought to be important for maintenance of neuronal circuits andolfactory functions. In this study, we found that termination of neuronal migration in the postnatal
OB is regulated by morphological control of migrating new neurons. This finding suggests theimportance for morphological regulation of migrating new neurons on maintenance of neuronal
circuits in the postnatal OB.

- 22 -

References
1. Torres-Vazquez, Gilter, Fraser et al., Developmental Cell, 2004.
2. Gu, Yoshida et al., Science, 2005.
3. Chauvet et al., Neuron, 2007.
4. Hikita et al., Journal of Neurochemistry, 2013.
5. Ota, Hikita, Sawada et al., Nature Communications, 2014.
6. Sakamoto et al., Journal of Neuroscience, 2014.
7. Breton-Provencher et al., Journal of Neuroscience, 2009.
8. Alonso et al., Nature Neuroscience, 2012.

一般の皆様へ近年の研究で、生後の脳にも神経幹細胞が存在し、たえず新生ニューロンを産生していることが分かってきた。産生された新生ニューロンは、脳内を遠くまで移動し、適切な場所で移動を停止して成熟ニューロンへと分化する。本研究では、移動中の新生ニューロンの「かたち」を調節することが、脳内における移動停止位置を決めることを見出した。本研究結果は、脳がつくられるしくみを解明す
るだけでなく、脳傷害後に再生するニューロンを脳内で適切に配置するメカニズムとして、中枢神経系の再生医療に貢献する可能性がある。

- 23 -

Molecular mechanism of salicylic acid-induced resistance against
viruses in plants
Kenji Nakahara
Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University
knakahar@res.agr.hokudai.ac.jp

Abstract
Salicylic acid (SA) is one of plant hormone and key regulators of biotic stress responses, in otherwords, innate immunity. However, how SA-mediated immune systems are induced to and prevent
virus infection is elusive. This study showed that rgs-CaM functions as an immune receptor
to recognize virus infection for induction of SA signaling and the rgs-CaM-mediated antiviralfunction is usually dormant and activated by SA. These results suggest autoactivation of rgs-CaM in
response to virus infection via SA signaling. The autoactivated rgs-CaM appears to be at least partly
responsible for enhanced antiviral resistance such as systemic acquired resistance.
Key words : Calmodulin-like protein, RNA silencing suppressor, Plant virus, Innate immunity

Introduction
Salicylic acid (SA) is a plant hormone, which is one of key regulators of plant immune systems
against diverse pathogens. SA has been shown to be required for a strong defense called
hypersensitive response, which involves generation of reactive oxygen species, ion fluxes, inductionof various defense genes and programmed cell death. Systemic accumulation of SA is also required
for systemic acquired resistance, which is a vaccination-like phenomenon that shows enhanced
resistance to secondary infection with diverse pathogens across entire plant body regardless of apathogen that primarily infect the plant. However, molecular mechanisms underlying SA-mediatedimmunities are largely unclear. My preliminary studies suggest that a tobacco calmodulin-likeprotein, rgs-CaM, is involved in the SA-mediated immune systems against viruses. This study
revealed how rgs-CaM is involved in induction of SA-mediated antiviral immune responses andprevention of virus infection by the SA-mediated immunity.

Results
I previously found that transgenic tobacco plants, which overexpressed rgs-CaM, constitutively
expressed the SA-dependent pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1) gene and showed necrotic defense
reactions throughout the plant body, suggesting involvement of rgs-CaM in induction of SA
signaling. Tobacco plants are known to induce PR1 in leaves inoculated with Cucumber mosaic
virus (CMV). I here found that the PR1 induction in response to CMV infection was reduced intransgenic tobacco plants, of which rgs-CaM was knocked down (rgs-CaM-KD). The PR1 was not
induced when tobacco plants were inoculated with CMV lacking 2b, RNA silencing suppressor(RSS). Taken togather with rgs-CaM directly binding to viral RSSs, including 2b, rgs-CaM appears- 24 -

to perceive viral RSSs to induce SA-signaling. Further experiments using transgenic tobacco plants
expressing viral RSSs endorse that rgs-CaM functions as an immune receptor to recognize viral
infection via perception of viral RSSs.
I previously revealed the antiviral function of rgs-CaM; rgs-CaM reinforces antiviral RNA
silencing by directing degradation of viral RSSs via autophagy. However, in this study, I obtained
controversial results showing comparable or higher resistance of normally growing young rgsCaM-KD tobacco plants at 4 weeks after seedling to viral infection compared with those of wild
type tobacco plants. Nevertheless, aged rgs-CaM-KD tobacco plants at 7 weeks after seedlingshowed lower resistance to CMV. Previously, aged tobacco plants were reported to accumulate SA
systemically. These results let me hypothesize that the antiviral function of rgs-CaM is usually
dormant but aging or a pathogen infection inducing SA signaling accumulate SA in entire body ofplants and the accumulated SA activate the antiviral function of rgs-CaM. To verify the hypothesis,
I first examined the antiviral resistance in rgs-CaM-KD tobacco plants after treatment with a SA
analogue, BTH, which is known to induce systemic accumulation of SA. As expected, enhanced
resistance to CMV was observed in wild type tobacco plants treated with BTH but little in the BTHtreated rgs-CaM-KD plants. Then, I examined whether the antiviral function of rgs-CaM: that is, the
RSS degradation activity was activated by SA. To sensitively investigate distribution of the HC-Prp
protein, which is an RSS of potyvirus, in transgenic tobacco plants that express the HC-Pro, microperforated leaf blotting immunoassay was developed by improving a conventional leaf blotting
method. After BTH treatment, a part of leaf, where an autophagy inhibitor, 3MA, was infiltrated,
reduced accumulation of the HC-Pro protein, indicating the RSS degradation via autophagy wasactivated by SA. Consistent results were obtained using a tobacco BY2 cultured cell expressing 2b.
Accumulation of the 2b protein in tobacco BY2 cultured cells reduced after BTH treatment.
Tobacco proteins that directly interact with rgs-CaM were fractionated by immunoprecipitation
using anti-rgs-CaM antibodies. Proteins in the fractions were then identified by MS analysis. As aresult, several candidate proteins, which might bind to rgs-CaM in tobacco cells and be involved in
the rgs-CaM-mediated SA signaling, antiviral function of rgs-CaM, were identified.

Discussion & Conclusion
Calmodulin-like proteins are known to be a hub protein, which interact with calcium ion anda number of endogenous proteins to transduce signals for development, abiotic and biotic stressresponses. This study reveals that rgs-CaM plays an important role in SA-mediated immune
responses against viruses. SA is one of main players among plant hormones in biotic stressresponses, in other words, innate immunity. However, how SA-mediated immune systems are
induced to and prevent virus infection is elusive. This study showed that rgs-CaM functions as an
immune receptor to recognize virus infection for induction of SA signaling, resulting in systemic
accumulation of SA, and the rgs-CaM-mediated antiviral function is usually dormant and activatedby the accumulated SA. These results suggest its roles in systemic acquired resistance against- 25 -

viruses; in primary infection with viruses, rgs-CaM may not work for prevention of virus infection
but do for induction of SA signaling, resulting in autoactivation of its antiviral function and in
subsequent infection with viruses, host plants show enhanced resistance, which is at least partly
attributed to the antiviral function with the autoactivated rgs-CaM.

References
1. 忠村一毅 , 中原健二 (2014). ウイルスに対する植物の自然免疫機構 . 化学と生物 , 52 (12):805-813

2. 中原健二 , 忠村一毅 , Eun Jin Jeon (2014). タバコの病害抵抗性におけるカルモジュリン様タンパク rgs-CaM の機能と役割 . 植物感染生理談話会論文集 , 第 49 号 59-68 頁 , 新視点から見渡す病原体感染戦略と植物免疫ネットワーク
3. Nakahara, K.S., Masuta, C. (2014). Interaction between viral RNA silencing suppressors and hostfactors in plant immunity. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 20: 88-95 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/
j.pbi.2014.05.004

一般の皆様へ
動くことの出来ない植物は、病原体への暴露から簡単に逃れることは出来ないことから、自然免疫と呼ばれる、予め備わった防御機構が発達している。その制御に植物ホルモン、サリチル酸が主要な役割を果たす。例えば、一度病原体の攻撃をうけた植物では、サリチル酸が全身で蓄積し、次の病原体の攻撃に対し、より強い防御反応で病原体の感染を防ぐ。しかしながら、なぜ、サリチル酸が蓄積するのか、なぜより強い防御反応を示すのか分かっていなかった。本研究で、カルモジュリン様タンパク rgs-CaM が関わっていることを証明し、その主要なメカニズムを明らかにすることが出来た。

- 26 -

Elucidation of phospho-signaling regulating
mitochondrial stress response
Kohsuke Takeda
Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Research
takeda-k@nagasaki-u.ac.jp

Abstract
We aimed at elucidating the intra-mitochondrial signaling through protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation and its roles in mitochondrial stress response by exploring substrates of PGAM5
and PPTC7, two mitochondrial protein phosphatases that we have been focusing on.
Key words : mitochondria, protein phosphatase, phosphorylation, stress response

Introduction
Mitochondria serve not only as the ‘powerhouses’ that produce ATP through the process ofoxidative phosphorylation but also as the signaling platforms for cell survival/death and antiviral
immunity. Mitochondrial dysfunctions thus disrupt cellular homeostasis, leading to various humandiseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, cancers and immunocompromised
disorders. We have been focusing on the mitochondrial protein phosphatase PGAM5 as a signaling
intermediate that responds to mitochondrial dysfunctions; however, the mechanisms and biologicalsignificance of the intra-mitochondrial signaling through protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation
remain largely unknown.

Results(1) Identification of a novel substrate of PGAM5
Phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5 (PGAM5) lacks phosphoglycerate mutase activity but
instead acts as an atypical serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatase. We recently found thatPGAM5 is localized to the inner mitochondrial membrane through its N-terminal transmembrane
domain and is cleaved within the transmembrane domain upon loss of mitochondrial membranepotential. We initially observed that the cleaved PGAM5 was retained in mitochondria. In thisstudy, however, we found that a fraction of cleaved PGAM5 was released into the cytosol in
response to the combinational treatment with the uncoupler CCCP that abolishes the mitochondrial
membrane potential and pro-apoptotic stimuli such as anisomycin and staurosporine. We thenexamined the intracellular distribution of PGAM5 lacking the TM domain (PGAM5ΔTM), whichmimics the cleaved form of PGAM5, and found that PGAM5ΔTM existed not only in the cytosol
but also in the nucleus. Taking this into account, we re-examined the PGAM5-interacting proteinsthat we previously identified by several rounds of pull-down assay. Among them, the nuclear protein
SR-X (tentative name), which is known to be a component of the exon junction complex and playa role in alternative pre-mRNA splicing, interacted with PGAM5ΔTM, but not with full-length- 27 -

mitochondrial PGAM5. Exogenous expression of PGAM5ΔTM retaining phosphatase activity,
but not of that lacking phosphatase activity, induced the band shift of SR-X on SDS-PAGE due
probably to its dephosphorylation, consistent with the fact that SR-X is highly phosphorylated in
unstimulated cells. Furthermore, bacterially produced recombinant PGAM5 dephosphorylated
SR-X immunoprecipitated from HEK293 cells in vitro, demonstrating that SR-X is a direct
dephosphorylation substrate of PGAM5.
(2) Identification of substrates of PPTC7PPTC7 belongs to the PPM (PP2C) phosphatase family and is expected to act as a serine/threonine
phosphatase, but its molecular characterization has not been reported so far. We first examined theintracellular distribution of PPTC7 and found that it mainly existed in the matrix of mitochondria.
We then established HEK293 cells stably expressing PPTC7-Flag and applied them to a pull-down
assay. Together with a pull-down assay using HEK293 cells transiently expressing PPTC-Flag, we
obtained approximately 100 candidate PPTC7-interacting proteins. Among them, we constructed
or collected 12 expression vectors encoding proteins that are reported or expected to exist in
mitochondria. After the expression of these mitochondrial proteins with or without PPTC7 in
HEK293 cells, cell lysates were subjected to phos-tag PAGE followed by immunoblotting. Amongthe 12 mitochondrial proteins examined, the band patterns of two proteins were obviously affectedby co-expression with PPTC7, suggesting that the two proteins are dephosphorylation substratesof PPTC7. On the other hand, some of the 12 mitochondrial proteins were detected as doublet
bands, which represent the longer premature forms including mitochondrial targeting signals(MTS) and the shorter mature mitochondrial forms lacking MTS. Interestingly, co-expression of
PPTC7 with the mitochondrial proteins detected as doublet bands tended to increase and decrease
their premature and mature forms, respectively, suggesting that PPTC7 affect the transport and/or
maturation of proteins that are supposed to be targeted to the matrix of mitochondria.

Discussion & Conclusion
At least a fraction of PGAM5 that is cleaved in response to mitochondrial dysfunction may
translocate to the nucleus where it regulates the phosphorylation levels of nuclear proteins such as
SR-X by dephosphorylation, contributing to the regulation of cellular stress response. Although
the mitochondrial roles of PPTC7 have not yet been clarified, future characterization of the PPTC7
substrates we identified in this study will shed light on such roles and the significance of protein
phosphorylation/dephosphorylation in mitochondria. Furthermore, our findings that PPTC7
may affect the transport and/or maturation of mitochondrial matrix proteins will lead to the fullunderstanding of intra-mitochondrial signaling mechanisms by which expression of mitochondrial
proteins are precisely regulated.

- 28 -

References
1. Mizukami, J., Sato, T., Camps, M., Ji. H., Rueckle, T., Swinnen, D., Tsuboi, R., Takeda, K. andIchijo, H. ASK1 promotes the contact hypersensitivity response through IL-17 production. Sci.
Rep. 4, 4714 (2014)
2. Mosallanejad, K., Sekine, Y., Ishikura-Kinoshita, S., Kumagai, K., Nagano, T., Matsuzawa, A.,
Takeda, K., Naguro, I. and Ichijo, H. DHX15, a DEAH-box RNA helicase, activates NF-κB and
MAPK signaling downstream of MAVS during antiviral responses. Sci. Signal. 7, ra40 (2014)

一般の皆様へ
ミトコンドリアは、細胞のエネルギー産生を担う細胞内小器官として古くから研究されてきましたが、近年、細胞内代謝にとどまらず、細胞の生死の制御や病原体感染応答などにおいても、きわめて多彩な機能を持つことが分かってきました。本研究では、そのような機能の制御に働く新たなタンパク質に注目して研究を進めることで、ミトコンドリアの機能がどのような仕組みで調節されているか、
ミトコンドリアがどのように細胞のストレス応答に関わるのかの一端が明らかとなってきました。今後はそのような機構と様々な疾患との関連についても探って行きたいと考えています。

- 29 -

Molecular mechanism of malignant tumor formation
during chronic hypoxia
Koh Nakayama
Tokyo Medical and Dental University
nakayama.mtt@mri.tmd.ac.jp

Abstract
Hypoxic response plays a critical role in tumor progression by regulating the tumor growth andmetastasis. Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) is a master transcription factor of the hypoxic response
which up-regulates a set of hypoxia responsive genes. Recently, we identified that HIF expression
is down-regulated, whereas NF-κB and CREB are activated under chronic hypoxic conditions. In
this study, it is identified that a set of genes, including MMP1, is upregulated by these transcription
factors and plays an important role in tumor metastasis.
Key words : Hypoxia, CREB, NF-κB, pyruvate dehydrogenase, PHD3

Introduction
Organisms respond to hypoxic condition and regulate oxygen uptake or metabolism to adapt tothe condition. Hypoxic response is involved not only in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis,but also in various pathological conditions, such as cancer. Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) is atranscription factor which plays a key role during hypoxic response (1). Expression of HIF-1α istightly regulated by ubiquitination under normoxic condition. Prolyl-hydroxylase PHDs hydroxylate
prolyl-residue of HIF-1α, which is a prerequisite for the HIF ubiquitination. Hypoxic response could
be divided into two different phases; acute phase, which causes dynamic changes in the cellular
metabolic state, and chronic phase, which maintains the homeostasis. It has been considered that
HIF plays a major role in both of the phases. However, we identified that HIF expression is downregulated, whereas NF-κB and CREB are activated under chronic hypoxic conditions (2). Here, I
characterized the role of these transcription factors by identifying their targets genes and examining
their functions in tumor development.

Results
Activation of NF-κB and CREB during chronic phase of hypoxia
To identify the genes upregulated during chronic phase of hypoxia, a DNA microarray analysis
was performed. MMP1 was identified as a gene up-regulated significantly during chronic hypoxic
conditions. MMP1 was induced later than 24 hrs of hypoxic treatment in MCF7 cells or MDAMB-231 cells. Since the activity of HIF was found to be higher during the early phase of hypoxia
in these cells, involvement of transcription factor(s) other than HIF was predicted. Characterizationof the MMP1 promoter region revealed the existence of NF-κB /CREB binding sequence between-2095 - -1795 region. Inhibition of NF-κB /CREB by siRNA decreased the MMP1 promoter activity,- 30 -

suggesting that they play an essential role to induce MMP1 during prolonged hypoxia (Figure 1A).
Moreover, HIF-dependent HRE activation was found to be higher during the acute phase, whereas
NF-κB or CREB-dependent promoter activation occur during the chronic phase (Figure 1B). Thus,
NF-κB and CREB are activated and function during the chronic phase of hypoxia.

Inhibition of NF-κB and CREB suppresses the tumor metastasis
To examine the role of NF-κB and CREB in tumor progression, NF-κB and CREB-depleted cells
were generated. These cells were used in cell migration assay on collagen-coated dishes as well as incell invasion assay, which measures the activity to invade through the collagen layer. NF-κB /CREB
siRNA cells significantly decreased the cell migration and invasion activity in collagen gel. Finally,
NF-κB/CREB-knocked down MDA-MB231 cells were injected into the tail vein of nude mice tomonitor their metastatic activity in the animal models. Depletion of NF-κB/CREB significantly
reduced the lung metastasis (Figure 2), indicating that these transcription factors have an importantrole to regulate the tumor metastasis.

Metabolic regulation by PHD3 during hypoxia
Altered metabolic state is often found in cancer cells. We have further examined the role oftraditional PHD-HIF axis in the metabolic regulation during hypoxic response. We identified
pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) as a component included in the PHD3 complex. PDH is an- 31 -

enzyme which converts pyruvate into acetyl CoA, and plays a key role to connect glycolysis
and TCA cycle. When PDH activity is high, energy metabolism is mediated through TCA cycleoxidative phosphorylation. Inversely, when PDH activity is low, glycolytic metabolism becomesthe central. Cancer cells are also known to utilize glycolysis as their main energy source. Coimmunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that PDH interacts with PHD3 under hypoxic condition. In
PHD3-depleted cells or PHD3-/- cells, PDH activity is significantly decreased (Figure 3), suggestingthat PHD3 positively regulates PDH activity by directly interacting with it. Accordingly, PHD3
depletion destabilized the PDH complex, which resulted in the decreased activity of PDH (3).
Under hypoxic condition, PDH activity decreases, whereas interaction between PDH and PHD3
increases. Therefore, PHD3 possibly fine-tunes the PDH activity under such condition to balance
the glycolysis and TCA cycle to carry out the most efficient energy production state depending on
the degree of hypoxia.

Discussion & Conclusion
Hypoxic condition is tightly related to tumor growth and metastasis. In this study, we demonstrated
that i) NF-κB/CREB are activated during chronic phase of hypoxia and involved in tumor metastasisii) PHD3 has a previously unknown role to regulate the metabolic state of cells by interacting with
PDH complex and positively regulating its activity. Whereas HIF-1 pathway has been a central
focus in the study of hypoxic tumors, our results indicate that pathways besides HIF-1 also have an
important role to regulate tumor metastasis or metabolism. Thus, establishing a method to inhibit
these HIF-independent pathways might serve as alternative and possibly more efficient ways tosuppress tumor growth when combined with the HIF inhibitors.

References
1. Nakayama K.* Cellular signal transduction of the hypoxia response. J. Biochem. 146, 757-765,(2009).
2. Nakayama K.* CREB and NF-kB are activated during prolonged hypoxia and cooperatively
regulate the induction of matrix metalloproteinase MMP1. J. Biol. Chem. 288, 22584-22595,(2013)- 32 -

3. Kikuchi D., Minamishima YA., and Nakayama K.* Prolyl-hydroxylase PHD3 interacts with
pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)-E1beta and regulates the cellular PDH activity. Biochem.
Biophys. Res. Commun. 451, 288-294, (2014)

一般の皆様へがんは、がん化した細胞が無制限に増殖をし続けた結果として生じる病気です。がんが進行し、悪性化していく過程では、がん細胞そのものが保持する増殖能に加えて、がん細胞をとりまく体内の微小環境（酸素、栄養、pH 等）も重要な要素となります。本研究は、そのような微小環境のうち「酸素の低い状態（低酸素）」に着目して、がんが低酸素環境に適応して、増悪化していく分子機構を明らかにすることをめざして実施しました。その結果明らかとなった慢性期低酸素下での遺伝子発現を調節するメカニズムは、がんの低酸素環境適応能力を阻害する新しいがん抑制方法の開発に結びつくことが期待されます。

- 33 -

Identification of ubiquitin protease responsible for peripheral protein
quality control
Tsukasa Okiyoneda
Department of Bioscience, Kwansei Gakuin University
t-okiyoneda@kwansei.ac.jp

Abstract
Peripheral protein quality control (QC) system removes aberrant proteins from the plasma
membrane by ubiquitination. Ubiquitin ligases responsible for the elimination of aberrant proteinsfrom the cell surface have been identified, but the ubiquitin proteases involved in the peripheral QC
remain unknown. Here, we tried to identify the ubiquitin proteases responsible for elimination of
the aberrant CFTR. A panel of inhibitor screening isolated several candidates of ubiquitin proteases,
which regulates the cell surface stability of aberrant CFTR channel involved in cystic fibrosis (CF).
Key words : Ubiquitin, protein quality control, ubiquitin protease

Introduction
Aberrant membrane proteins are eliminated by protein quality control (QC) system to maintainproteostasis, impairment of which causes several diseases. Most aberrant membrane proteins are
eliminated at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where the proteins are synthesized, but some aberrant
membrane proteins can express at the plasma membrane. However, they are rapidly eliminatedby the peripheral QC mechanism by ubiquitination. Previously, we identified an ubiquitin ligase
responsible for the elimination of aberrant membrane proteins from the cell surface (1). Because
protein ubiquitination is reversible and reduced by ubiquitin proteases, it is possible that ubiquitin
proteases determine the elimination of aberrant membrane proteins from the cell surface bymodifying the ubiquitination level. However, ubiquitin proteases responsible for the peripheral QC
remain unidentified.

Results
To identify the ubiquitin proteases responsible for the peripheral QC, we firstly tried to develop
the assay system to easily quantify the cell surface density and stability of aberrant cell surface
proteins. As a model, we used CFTR (CF transmembrane conductance regulator), a cAMP-regulated
Cl- channel localized at the apical plasma membrane of epithelial cells. ΔF508 CFTR, the mostcommon mutant of CFTR found in CF patients, has been reported to have the conformational
defect that is temperature sensitive. At low temperature (e.g. 26°C), ΔF508 CFTR can achieve thenative conformation at the ER and reach the cell surface. However, the low temperature-rescued
ΔF508 CFTR (rΔF508 CFTR) is thermally unfolded at 37°C and rapidly eliminated from the cellsurface (1, 2). In order to selectively probe the cell surface CFTR, we introduced HA epitope tag
into the extracellular region of CFTR (CFTR-HA), and CFTR-HA was stably expressed in CF
bronchial epithelial (CFBE) cells. Cell surface ELISA experiments using anti-HA antibody was able

- 34 -

to quantify the cell surface CFTR-HA level in CFBE cells. As expected (1, 3), ΔF508-CFTR-HA
failed to reach the cell surface at 37°C, but it reached the cell surface after low temperature (26°C)
incubation. The ELISA experiment was also able to measure the cell surface stability of CFTR-HAin CFBE cells. In consistent with previous studies, rΔF508 CFTR-HA was rapidly eliminated fromthe cell surface while the WT counterpart was stable at the PM of CFBE cells.
We also measured the ubiquitination level of unfolded rΔF508 CFTR in CFBE cells by isolationof the CFTR under denaturing condition, followed by immunoblotting with anti-ubiquitin
antibody as previously (1, 3). We found that ubiquitination level of complex-glycosylated rΔF508
CFTR localized in the post-Golgi compartments including the plasma membrane was augmented
compared to the WT counterpart. Moreover, thermal unfolding enhanced the ubiquitination level in
CFBE cells as previously (1, 3). These results indicate that cell surface rΔF508 CFTR is thermallyunfolded, and the conformationally defective rΔF508 CFTR is eliminated from the apical plasma
membrane of CFBE cells through the augmented ubiquitination.
In order to isolate the ubiquitin proteases (deubiquitinating enzyme; DUB) responsible for theelimination of conformationally-defective rΔF508 CFTR from the cell surface, we tried to develop
the 96 well plate based ELISA assay to quantify the cell surface density and stability of rΔF508
CFTR in CFBE cells. We optimized the ELISA assay in the cell number, antibody dilution,
wash step and enzyme substrate to maximize the signal background ratio. The optimized ELISA
assay was used to identify the DUB, which determines the cell surface density and stability ofthermally unfolded rΔF508 CFTR in CFBE cells. We tested the effect of a panel of DUB inhibitorscommercially available on the cell surface density of rΔF508 CFTR. Among the inhibitors we tested,
an inhibitor of the proteasome-associated DUB dramatically increased the PM density of rΔF508
CFTR 24 hours after the treatment. ELISA experiments also showed that a proteasome-associated
DUB inhibitor inhibited the endocytosis of rΔF508 CFTR and increased the cell surface stability.
Immunocytochemical analysis also revealed that the DUB inhibitor induced the accumulation of theunfolded rΔF508 CFTR at the cell surface.

Discussion & Conclusion
Our results strongly suggest that a proteasome associated ubiquitin protease stimulates theendocytosis and elimination of conformationally defective CFTR from the cell surface. Previous
reports showed that proteasome inhibitors prevented the endocytosis of several membrane proteins
including rΔF508 CFTR, but the underlying molecular mechanism has remained unclear (4, 5).
One of the explanations is that proteasome inhibition reduces the level of cellular free ubiquitin,and consequently inhibits the protein ubiquitination (5). Although we need to clarify whether theproteasome associated DUB inhibitor prevents or enhances the ubiquitination level of thermallyunfolded rΔF508 CFTR at the cell surface, our preliminary data showed that the DUB inhibitor
increased the ubiquitination level of rΔF508 CFTR in the post-Golgi compartments. Thus, it isunlikely that the inhibited endocytosis by the DUB inhibitor is due to the inhibited ubiquitination- 35 -

of rΔF508 CFTR. It is reported that deubiquitination is required for multivesicular body sorting of
endocytosed proteins for lysosomal degradation (6). Further experiments are needed to reveal themolecular mechanism of the DUB-regulated endocytosis, but this study propose the novel role ofdeubiquitination in the part of peripheral protein QC mechanism.

References
1. Okiyoneda T et al, Science. 2010, 329(5993): 805-10.
2. Glozman R & Okiyoneda T et al, J Cell Biol. 2009, 184(6):847-62.
3. Okiyoneda T et al, Nat Chem Biol. 2013, 9(7): 444-54.
4. Gentzsch M et al, Mol Biol Cell. 2004, 15(6): 2684-96.
5. Belouzard S et al, EMBO J. 2006, 25: 932-942.
6. Nikko E et al, Traffic. 2007, 8(5):566-81.

一般の皆様へ
細胞表面に存在する構造異常タンパク質はユビキチン化を受け、形質膜から除去されます。この形質膜タンパク質品質管理機構は、嚢胞性線維症など様々な病態に関与することが知られています。
私たちは阻害剤スクリーニングにより、形質膜に存在する異常タンパク質の分解を制御する脱ユビキ
チン化酵素を同定しました。今後、形質膜異常タンパク質のユビキチン化制御機構を明らかにすることで、様々な病因の理解や治療法開発に貢献することが期待されます。

- 36 -

Development of novel leads base on catalytic asymmetric synthesis:
WecA inhibitors for anti-XDR-TB agent and cancer-stroma interaction
disruptor for anticancer agent
Takumi Watanabe
Institute of Microbial Chemistry
twatanabe@bikaken.or.jp

Abstract
The synthetic study of caprazamycin-related compounds and leucinostatin A has been conducted,
which would make a variety of structurally related derivatives more accessible. Biological activityof some of the derivatives synthesized herein are currently under way to determine pharmacophoresof these compounds, and in turn to develop promising leads.
Key words : anti-XDR-TB, antitumor, WecA, tumor-stroma interaction

Introduction
The emergence of extensively multidrug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), for which most of the available
clinical drugs are ineffective. Lead candidates for anti-XDR-TB have been found among semisynthetic analogs of caprazamycin B (1) and caprazol (2).
The signal molecules from stromal cells responsible for controlling tumor growth could be novel
molecular targets of antitumor agents with a lower propensity to develop resistance. Leucinostatin A(3) is expected to act on the machinery.

Results

Scheme 1. Key stereoselective reaction in the synthesis of caprazamycin B and leucinostatin A.

- 37 -

At first, the total synthesis of caprazol was accomplished. The stereochemistries of the β-hydroxyα-aminoester moiety at the juncture of uridine part and diazepanone part, and of the β-hydroxy-αamino acid moiety embedded in the diazepanone system, were constructed using diastereoselective
isocyanoacetate aldol reaction (dr = 88:12) and enantioselective anti-nitroaldol reaction catalyzed by
Nd/Na-chiral amide ligand (dr = 12:1, 95% ee), respectively. Then, the synthesis of caprazamycin B
was completed via (+)-caprazol. In the synthesis, the choices of the segment coupling conditions andprotecting groups were restricted to benzylic ones because of instability of the whole framework ofcaprazamycin under acidic and basic conditions. Only Shiina’s protocol provided the ester linkage
between the unreactive secondary hydroxyl group on the diazepanone ring system and the side chain
moiety. According to the protocols described above, caprazol analogs with structural modificationon the substituents at the two nitrogen atoms embedded within the diazepanone ring system. These
compounds became accessible by changing the reagent upon alkylation of the protected amine
derived from the enantioselective anti-nitroaldol reaction, or switching the aldehyde used for the
reductive amination of the secondary amine portion within the diazepanone. For these molecules,
anti-TB activity or anti-XDR-TB activity would be expected even with highly simplified structurecompared to the mother compound and improved synthetic accessibility. If either of the activities
are observed, the results should help to clarify the structural requirement for each of the biologicalactivity of the caprazamycin-related compounds.
In the synthesis of leucinostatin A, catalytic enantioselective synthesis of the two amino acidfragments were examined at first. Synthesis of the hydroxyleucin fragment commenced with thefunctionalized LLB-catalyzed enantioselective Henry reaction of nitroethanol and isobutyraldehyde
to afford the corresponding nitroaldol adduct in good diastereoselectivity (8.6:1), excellent
enantioselectivity (96% ee), and reasonable isolated yield (85%). After this reaction, 5-stepprocedure afforded the desired hydroxyleucin fragment in a protected form. Synthesis of the otheramino acid moiety with the unusual side chain structure was started with the catalytic asymmetricalcoholysis of 3-methylglutaric anhydride employing chiral Ni2-Shiff base complex developed inthis group, which gave the requisite monoester with good enantioselectivity (93% ee). Then, 4-stepreaction sequence afforded fluorenylimine, which was applied to the conditions of asymmetric
Strecker reaction catalyzed by the chiral aluminum complex. The reasonable diastereomeric ratio(dr = 5.3:1) was obtained by employing suitable amount of water as an additive, without whichalmost no selectivity was observed. The incorporated cyano group could be transformed to thecorresponding methyl ester without incidents. Then, the protected primary alcohol portion wasconverted to the formyl group, to which the conditions of the catalytic asymmetric thioamidealdol
reaction was applied to give rise to adduct in a reasonable diastereoselectivity (dr = 7.8:1). The
resultant thioamide moiety would be transformed into the ethyl ketone by one pot protocol. All otherfragments were easily prepared according to the reported procedures. With the requisite monomers
in hand, whole structure of leucinostatin A should be constructed by solid state peptide synthesis
employing Fmoc-methodology. Besides the targeted natural products, the truncated analogs
should be also synthesized in similar manners. Biological activity of the synthesized compounds- 38 -

would clarify the pharmacophore for the selective antiproliferative effect toward tumor cells in thepresence of stromal cells over in their absence.

Discussion & Conclusion
Based on the synthetic route to caprazol developed by this group, the caprazol analogs withdifferent substituents from the original ones at the nitrogen atoms within diazepanone ring systembecame accessible. Biological tests on these analogs would reveal if they can be useful as leads
for anti-XDR-TB with simplified structure and improved synthetic accessibility. To determine thestructural requirements for anti-XDR-TB activity, further structure-activity relationship study
is ongoing, which includes synthesis of derivatives with structural similarity to campazamycin
according to the procedures reported recently.
Catalytic asymmetric reactions (Henry reaction, alcoholysis of 3-methyglutaric anhydride, Strecker
reaction, and thioamide aldol reaction) developed in this group were widely employed to synthesize
leucinostatin-related compounds. Together with efficiency of solid state peptide synthesis, the study
should pave the way to elucidation of pharmacophore for antiproliferative activity toward tumor
cells in the presence of stromal cells, and development of novel candidates for antitumor lead acting
on signal systems originated from normal cells. The final phase of the synthetic study is currently
ongoing.

References
1. Synthesis of caprazamycin B. Abe, H.; Gopinath, P.; Ravi, G.; Wang, L.; Watanabe, T.; Shibasaki,
M. Tetrahedron Lett. In press. DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2015.04.065.

一般の皆様へ
既存の抗結核剤が無効な超多剤耐性結核菌に有効な物質，および制圧への途半ばであるがんに対し新たなメカニズムで奏功する化合物の合成を行うことによる，画期的新薬開発の基盤構築を目的とした研究である．前者としてはリード候補，カプラザマイシン類の効率的合成の達成と天然物由来の半合成法では入手困難な誘導体ライブラリ構築への応用を図り，後者としては「正常細胞を標的とした抗がん剤」のリードとなり得るロイシノスタチン A の合成法の開発と，当該生物活性に必要な構造要件の同定に向けた知見の蓄積を得た．

- 39 -

Discovery of New Drug Candidates Based on Development ofSite-selective Direct Functionalization of Pyridones
Koji Hirano
Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University
k_hirano@chem.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp

Abstract
A copper-mediated C6-selective dehydrogenative heteroarylation of 2-pyridones with 1,3-azoles
has been developed. The reaction proceeded smoothly by twofold C-H cleavage even in the absenceof noble-metal catalysts. Moreover, in some cases, catalytic turnover of the Cu salt was also possible
with the ideal terminal oxidant: molecular oxygen in air.
Key words : arylation, C-H cleavage, copper, pyridone, synthetic method

Introduction
2-Pyridones are prevalent heterocyclic core structures in biologically active compounds and natural
products. Thus, the development of synthetic methodologies for the functionalization of pyridone
nuclei can give an opportunity for discovery of new drug candidates based on the pyridone.
However, the site-selective issues often appear, and particularly the C6-selective functionalizationof the pyridone remains a great challenge. In our continuous research on the copper-mediated C-Hfunctionalization,1 we decided to develop the unprecedented C6-selective direct arylation by using
copper catalysts.

Results
Our optimization studies commenced with the identification of a suitable substituent on thenitrogen of the 2-pyridone to get the promising reactivity and site-selectivity. After the extensive
screening of various reaction parameters, we were pleased to find that a combination of Cu(OAc)2/
PivOH mediated desired direct arylation of N-(2-pyridyl)pyridone (1a) with benzoxazole (2a)(Scheme 1). Some observations are to be noted: the C-H/C-H coupling reaction proceeded
without any noble metal catalysts such as Pd and Rh, which are common promoters in relatedtransformations; several acidic additives improved the reaction efficiency, with PivOH proving to
be optimal; the C-C bond formation occurred exclusively at the C6 position; other N-substitiuted
pyridones including Me (1a-Me) and Ph (1a-Ph) groups gave no coupling product.

Under conditions in Scheme 1, we performed the copper-mediated direct arylation of an array of- 40 -

2-pyridones 1 with benzoxazole (2a) (Scheme 2). The reaction accommodated electronically diverse
functions on the pyridone ring, including methyl, trifluoromethyl, and benzyloxy groups. Regardlessof the position of the substituent, the C6 selectivity was uniformly observed. Exceptionally, theintroduction of a substituent at the C5 position was detrimental, because of steric reasons. A
benzene-fused quinolinone could also be employed.
In addition to the simple benzoxazole (2a), various 5-aryloxazoles also coupled with 1a smoothly toform the corresponding arylated pyridones in good yields. Among other 1,3-azoles tested, thiazole,
benzimidazole, and oxadiazole participated in the reaction, albeit with moderate yields.

The above direct arylation was mediated by low-toxic and inexpensive copper alone, which
deserves much attention from the synthetic and economical points of view. Furthermore, ouradditional investigation found, in some cases, molecular oxygen in air to be a suitable terminal
oxidant for the catalytic turnover of Cu (Scheme 3). The 2-pyridones that bear the electronwithdrawing trifluoromethyl and chloro moieties at the C3 position worked well, and the desired
coupling products were formed in synthetically useful yields. The current limitation of the present
Cu catalysis is inaccessibility to the electron-rich and -neutral pyridones: the parent pyridone and3-methyl pyridone resulted in low conversion under the catalytic conditions.

- 41 -

We finally investigated the removal of the 2-pyridyl directing group from the product. To
our delight, the deprotection occurred readily at room temperature by quaternarization-driven
alcoholysis to furnish the C6-heteroarylated 2-pyridone with a free N-H group in acceptable yield(Scheme 4).

Discussion & Conclusion
In conclusion, we have developed a pyridine-directed, copper-mediated dehydrogenative C6heteroarylation of 2-pyridones with 1,3-azoles.2 To the best of our knowledge, this is the firstsuccessful example of the highly site-selective direct arylation of a 2-pyridone ring at the C6
position. The directing group can be removed readily after the coupling event. In some cases,
molecular oxygen in air makes the reaction catalytic in copper; the reported method is then an idealand environmentally benign C-C bond-forming process with water as the sole by-product. Thus, thepresent protocol can open a door to novel functionalized pyridones and accelerate the discovery of
new drug candidates based on the pyridone nuclei.

References
1. (a) M. Kitahara, N. Umeda, K. Hirano, T. Satoh, M. Miura, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 21602162. (b) M. Nishino, K. Hirano, T. Satoh, M. Miura, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 6993-6997.
(c) M. Nishino, K. Hirano, T. Satoh, M. Miura, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 4457-4461.
2. R. Odani, K. Hirano, T. Satoh, M. Miura, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 10784-10788.

一般の皆様へピリドンは数多くの生物活性化合物や医薬品に含まれているため、ピリドン環の効率的な修飾を可能にする新手法の開発は合成化学的な観点からのみでなく、新たな医薬品創出という視点からも重要な研究課題です。しかし、ピリドンには最大 4 カ所の反応点が存在し、その反応位置を制御す
ることは容易ではありません。我々は、着脱容易な配向性官能基と安価な銅の触媒作用を組み合わせることでこの課題を克服し、最も反応性が乏しいとされる C6 位での修飾に成功しました。本手法を用いることで、ピリドンを基盤とする新たな医薬品の創出が加速できると期待されます。

- 42 -

Research on Asymmetric Membrane Elongation Critical for
Symmetric Cell Division
Tomomi Kiyomitsu
Nagoya University
kiyomitsu@bio.nagoya-u.ac.jp

Abstract
In this research, I identified novel anaphase-specific Anillin binding partners in human cells.
Moreover, several results indicated that polar exclusion of Anillin is additionally regulated by RanGTP-independent mechanisms. These results provide novel insights into how human cells control
polar membrane elongation during anaphase to achieve symmetric cell division.
Key words : Anillin, Mass spectrometry, Ran-GTP gradientIntroduction
Daughter cell size is tightly regulated during cell division. In animal cells, the position of theanaphase spindle specifies the cell cleavage site, dictating the relative size of daughter cells.
Although spindle positioning is regulated by dynein-dependent cortical pulling forces exerted
on astral microtubules in many cell types1), I found that myosin-dependent contractile forces also
control spindle position by altering the cellular boundaries during anaphase2, 3). I examined thecortical-targeting mechanisms of Anillin, an upstream factor regulating cortical myosin localization,
to understand the basis of cortical membrane elongation during anaphase.

Results
Results 1: Identification of cortical Anillin and myoin binding partners during anaphase
1A: Proteomic analysis of Anillin
To define the localization and associations of Anillin at the cell cortex during anaphase, I used
the localization and affinity purification (LAP) strategy, which enables both protein localization
analyses (using GFP) and efficient affinity purification4). I generated HeLa cells that stably express
LAPGFP-Anillin. To identify anaphase-specific Anillin binding partners, I isolated LAPGFP-Anillinfrom HeLa cells that were arrested in nocodazole and treated with flavopiridol (a CDK inhibitor) for
10 min to induce mitotic exit. As a metaphase control, nocodazole-arrested HeLa cells were used for
purification.
Mass spectrometry analyses indicated that Anillin interacts with more than 15 undefined proteinsin both metaphase and anaphase. Importantly, a few proteins bind to Anillin only in anaphase.
I cloned 3 of these proteins and expressed LAPGFP-fusion proteins in HeLa cells. These proteins
localized at the mitotic cell cortex, similar to Anillin. I am currently generating HeLa cells thatstably express these LAPGFP-tagged proteins. In addition, I am analyzing whether these Anillin-- 43 -

interacting proteins act as cortical receptors or regulators of Anillin during metaphase and anaphaseusing siRNA-mediated depletion.
1B: Proteomic analysis of myosin
To comprehensively analyze the myosin localization network in mitosis, I generated HeLa cells
that stably express LAPGFP-tagged MRLC2 (myosin regulatory light chain 2). Mass spectrometry
analyses indicate that some proteins interact with both Anillin and MRLC2.
Results 2: Domain analysis of Anillin
To analyze the functional domains that are critical for cortical localization of Anillin, I next
generated truncated Anillin fragments. I found that the 145-aa N-terminal region, which includes an
NLS (nuclear localization sequence), is required for cortical localization of Anillin at metaphase, but
not for equatorial cortical enrichment of Anillin during anaphase.
Results 3: Regulation of cortical Anillin localization during anaphase
When the spindle is displaced from the center of the cell during anaphase, chromosome-derived
Ran-GTP signals locally reduce Anillin at the polar cell cortex near chromosomes and drive
asymmetric membrane elongation to alter cellular boundaries2). However, even in the absence of a
Ran-GTP gradient, the majority of HeLa cells divide symmetrically in size, suggesting that othermechanisms control Anillin localization during anaphase to achieve equal-sized cell division. To
understand the mechanisms of polar exclusion of Anillin during anaphase, membrane-targeting
signals together with mCherry (Mem-mCherry) were fused to Anillin and expressed in HeLa cells.
The control protein (Mem-mCherry) homogenously localized at the membrane and displayed no
exclusion from the polar cell cortex during anaphase, suggesting that the chromosome-derived
Ran-GTP gradient does not affect the membrane localization of Mem-mCherry. However, MemmCherry-Anillin showed polar exclusion during anaphase, even if separating chromosomes were far
from the polar cell cortex. These results suggest that chromosome-independent signals contributeto the transport of Anillin from the polar region to the equatorial cell cortex on the membrane,
resulting in polar exclusion of Anillin. At present, I am analyzing the upstream factors and signalingcascades that are required for Anillin transport. Interestingly, one of the Anillin binding proteins
identified in this study showed similar behavior to that of Anillin, suggesting that this protein is
involved in the transport process.

Discussion & Conclusion
Anillin is an important, highly conserved cortical protein involved in determining cell cleavage
sites5). Although Anillin binding partners have been identified in several model organisms, thisstudy reveals additional unidentified factors that interact with Anillin in human cells. In addition,
this study identified anaphase-specific binding partners, which have not been carefully analyzed
to date. Analyzing the interacting domains and functions of these Anillin-interacting proteins will
provide novel insights into cortical Anillin regulation during anaphase. Furthermore, defining theregulation of cortical Anillin localization independent of chromosome-derived RanGTP signals- 44 -

will provide a new mechanism by which polar membrane elongation and cell division types are
regulated.

References
1) Kiyomitsu, T., and Cheeseman, I.M. (2012). Chromosome- and spindle-pole- derived signals
generate an intrinsic code for spindle position and orientation. Nat Cell Biol 14, 311-317.
2) Kiyomitsu, T., and Cheeseman, I.M. (2013). Cortical dynein and asymmetric membraneelongation coordinately position the spindle in anaphase. Cell 154, 391-402.
3) Kiyomitsu, T. (2015). Mechanisms of daughter cell-size control during cell division Trends Cell
Biol 25(5), 286-295. Review
4) Cheeseman, I.M., et al., (2004) A conserved protein network controls assembly of the outerkinetochore and its ability to sustain tension. Genes Dev, 18(18), 2255-68.
5) D’Avino, P.P. (2009). How to scaffold the contractile ring for a safe cytokinesis - lessons from
Anillin-related proteins. J Cell Sci 122, 1071-1079

一般の皆様へ細胞は自身の細胞コピーを増やすために、対称に分裂する。私は、細胞表層のAnillin の局在制御が、対称分裂の達成に重要な役割を果たすことを見出したが、その局在制御メカニズムの詳細は不明だった。本研究では、質量分析機を用いて Anillin と分裂機後期に相互作用する新規因子の同定に成功した。また染色体派生シグナル以外の仕組みで Anillin の極付近の細胞表層局在が制御されうる可能性も見出した。これらの発見を土台に今後解析を進めることで、細胞が如何に対称に分裂してコピーを増やすのか、またその破綻がどのような現象や病態につながるのかを理解することに役立つと考えられる。

- 45 -

”Memory priming” that determines the start of the critical period
for learning.
Koichi J. Homma
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University
hommakj@pharm.teikyo-u.ac.jp

Abstract
Filial imprinting in birds is the process of forming a social attachment during a sensitive or critical
period. The molecular mechanism of memory priming given by the action of thyroid hormone(T3) was investigated. Our data show that the linkage between the protein kinase cascade and theintracellular cytoskeleton is essential for memory priming.
Key words : Memory priming, Filial imprinting, Thyroid hormone, Sensitive or critical period.

Introduction
Filial imprinting in precocial birds is the process of forming a social attachment during a sensitiveor critical period, restricted to the first few days after hatching. We showed that the thyroid hormone
3,5,5’-triiodothyronine (T3) determines the start of the sensitive period. The injection of T3 extends
the sensitive period. We call this potential given by the wave of T3 ‘memory priming’ (ref 1,2).

Results
In order to investigate the molecular mechanism of memory priming given by the action of T3,
various specific inhibitors against the intracellular signaling molecules were applied in the neuronalcell of the brain. Imprinting training and simultaneous choice test were carried out by the methodof Yamaguchi et. al.(ref 1). After hatching, chicks were kept in dark enclosures to prevent exposure
to light until training. Then chicks were trained with a yellow LEGO object, and the preference forthe object was evaluated 1 h later. Training typically started about 18 h after hatching. Preference
score was measured by the difference in approach time during 120 s; the time chicks spent near thecontrol object (red) was subtracted from that chicks spent near the training object (yellow). Chicks
stayed in each approach area or in the intermediate areas between the areas during simultaneous
choice test. For memory priming, chicks were trained with a yellow LEGO object or injected with T3
on day 1. Then chicks were kept in darkness to prevent exposure to light. On day 4, the chicks weretrained with a red LEGO object, and the preference for the red LEGO object was evaluated 1 h later.
A grey LEGO block was used as the control object in the simultaneous choice test.
Imprinting was impaired by the injection of inhibitors of thyroid hormone signaling molecules
such as a monocarboxylate transporter 8 inhibitor and a thyroid hormone receptor antagonist,suggesting that the inflow of T3 and the binding to the intracellular receptor are very important forthe signaling. Because injected T3 affects imprinting rapidly within 30 min, it probably functions- 46 -

via a non-genomic action. The PI3Kinase/Akt pathway is reported to mediate the rapid non-genomic
effects of thyroid hormone receptor. As we expected, the injection of wortmannin, a PI3Kinase
inhibitor hampered the effect of T3. Next, we focused on the protein kinase signaling molecules.
When we applied inhibitors against a protein kinase cascade, imprinting was greatly accelerated.
On the contrary, when we applied activators against the protein kinase cascade, imprinting was
greatly hampered. The data suggest that T3 causes the repression of a protein kinase cascade which
contributes to enable imprinting. In fact, when we applied T3, the phosphorylation level of proteinsin the cascade decreased, causing the intracellular actin cytoskeleton was loosened in the neuron. At
this point, the molecular mechanism of memory priming given by T3 in imprinting is summarized asfollows: 1) T3 enters into the neuronal cell in the brain. 2) T3 binds to the thyroid hormone receptor
in the cytoplasm. 3) A protein kinase cascade is hampered. 4) The intracellular actin cytoskeleton isloosened in the neuron. 5) Memory priming (the potential to achieve learning) is endowed. The data
indicate that T3 acts not only as a determinant for the sensitive period but also as a memory priming
factor for learning. Moreover, we showed that T3 conferred memory priming to learning other thanimprinting. That is, chicks either injected with T3 or trained for imprinting on day 1 showed a higher
correct choice in reinforcement learning of a color discrimination pecking task on day 4.

Discussion & Conclusion
Our data indicate that the molecular mechanism of memory priming is mediated by non-genomic
action. Once T3 enters into the neuronal cell in the brain, T3 binds the thyroid hormone receptor. The
binding complex causes the repression of the intracellular protein kinase cascade. As a result, theintracellular cytoskeleton in neuron becomes more plastic which enables imprinting. Taken together,
the linkage between the protein kinase cascade and the intracellular cytoskeleton is essential for
imprinting.
We propose that imprinting, serving as a primer, is crucial to the chick’s learning process. Ourdata provide evidence that thyroid hormone confers memory priming and that memory priming
which originates from imprinting may be followed by cascading layers of later learning. There may
exist determining factors among higher intelligent animals as well that can cause the opening of asensitive period.

References
1. Yamaguchi, S., Aoki, N., Kitajima, T., Iikubo, E., Katagiri, S., Matsushima, T., and Homma,
K.J. Thyroid hormone determines the start of the sensitive period of imprinting and primes later
learning. Nat. Commun., (2012);3:1081. doi: 10.1038/ncomms2088.
2. Homma, K.J., Yamaguchi, S., and Aoki, N.
A primer for learning: thyroid hormone is a determining factor to start the sensitive period offilial imprinting of domestic chicks. Seikagaku. (2013) May;85(5):315-27.

- 47 -

一般の皆様へ
鳥類に見られる刷り込み学習には、孵化して２，３日間しか親を記憶できない臨界期があります。
私たちの研究の結果、学習を始めると血中の甲状腺ホルモンが急速に脳内に流入し、そのことが引き金となって臨界期が始まることがわかりました。また学習臨界期が終わっても甲状腺ホルモンを注射することで、臨界期の扉が再び開き、学習できるようになることもわかりました。ヒトの学習にも言語の獲得や絶対音感など多くの学習に臨界期があることが知られています。甲状腺ホルモンが作用するメカニズムを利用して、ヒトの学習能力を向上させることができるようになる可能性があります。

- 48 -

Development of transdermal vaccination system controlled by nearinfrared light
Takuro Niidome
Kumamoto University
niidome@kumamoto-u.ac.jp

Abstract
Gold nanorods have strong absorption band at near-infrared region and show photothermal
effect. Here, we developed a thermal ablation technique of stratum corneum of skin mediatedby the photothermal effect. Firstly, transparent gel patches containing FITC-labeled ovalbumin
and the gold nanorods are prepared. After putting the patches on mouse skin, it was irradiated bynear infrared light. Significant ovalbumin delivery into skin and induction of immune responses
were observed. The transdermal protein delivery system enhanced by near-infrared light will bepromising technique not only for protein therapy but also vaccination.
Key words : drug delivery, vaccination, transdermal, gold nanorods, near infrared light

Introduction
Transdermal delivery is an attractive method for drug delivery. However, it is well known
that stratum corneum of skin is a hydrophobic barrier which impedes delivery of hydrophilicmacromolecules such as proteins [1]. To achieve the transdermal delivery of hydrophilicmacromolecules, many approaches such as microneedles, thermal ablation, iontophoresis andphotomechanical waves, have been studied. In this study, to enhance permeability of stratum
corneum, we focused on photothermal effect of gold nanorods that can be heated by near infrared
light irradiation [2,3]. A transparent gel patch containing gold nanorods and proteins were prepared,
and translocation of the protein into skin after near- infrared light irradiation was examined.

Results
In the previous study, gold nanorods were casted on skin surface, and protein (FITC-labeled
ovalbumin, FITC-OVA) solution was put on the skin using a cylinder cup. Then, the skin wasirradiated by near-infrared laser light. Although significant translocation of OVA into skin wasobserved, the cylinder cup might be an obstacle in the way of clinical applications [4].
To solve this problem, we used transparent gel patch with gold nanorods on the gel surface and
FITC-OVA therein instead of the cylinder cup (Fig. 1). The transparent gel patches were prepared as- 49 -

follows. Polysaccharides made by plant or bacteria was mixed with acidic polysaccharides such as
chondroitin sulfate, and transparent gels were made. After drying them, aqueous solution of FITCOVA and gold nanorods coated with cationic polymers was added to the gels and then hydrated. In
this step, we optimized composition and concentration of the gel and surface modification of thegold nanorods.
As a result of fluorescence microscopic observation of cross-section of the gels, FITC-OVA was
localized the added side of the gel. The gold nanorods bound to the surface of the gel. Irradiationof a continuous-wave laser (820 nm) increased temperature of the gels to around 40ºC within 1
min. The irradiation also enhanced release of FITC-OVA from the gels. It is suggested that thetemperature increase loosened networks of the gels, and mobility of the protein then increased.
The gel patches were put on back skins of mice and then irradiated by near infrared light for 10
min. After 24 h, the cross-sections of the skins were prepared, and translocation of OVA into skin
was observed. After several days, significant induction of immune response was observed whereas
it was not so efficient. All mice were treated in accordance with Kumamoto University guidelines
for animal care and safety of experimental animals.

Discussion & Conclusion
In this study, we constructed the transdermal protein delivery system enhanced by near-infrared
light irradiation. The gold nanorods locating on the gel surface contact stratum corneum layer
directly, and produced heat induced by the photothermal effect of the gold nanorods damaged thelayer. If a pulsed-laser is used instead of continuous-wave laser, gold nanorods are heated transiently
and enhancement of permeability of stratum corneum is expected without increase of ambient
temperature [4]. It will be safer transdermal protein delivery system. The transdermal protein
delivery system using the gel patch and light irradiation will be promising technique not only forprotein therapy but also vaccination.

References
1. Naik, A., Kalia, Y. N., Guy, R.H., Pharm. Sci. Technol. Today 2000, 3, 318-326.
2. Yu, Y.-Y.; Chang,S.-S., Lee, C.-L.; Wang, C. R. C. J. Phys. Chem. B 1997, 101, 6661-6664.
3. Link, S.; Mohamed, M. B.; El-Sayed, M. A. J. Phys. Chem. B 1999, 103, 3073-3077.
4. Tang, H., Kobayashi, H., Niidome, Y., Mori, T., Katayama, Y., Niidome, T. J. Control. Release2013, 171, 178-183.

- 50 -

一般の皆様へワクチンは、感染症対策はもちろんですが、がんや自己免疫疾患にも適用できる治療法となります。その投与方法は主に注射ですが、皮膚から抗原となるタンパク質を体内に入れることができれば、簡単なワクチン接種が可能になります。また、衛生面でも優れ、発展途上国における感染症対策や先進国においても、新興感染症やパンデミック対策にも有効です。この研究では、皮膚のバリアとなっている角質層のみを光照射で加熱し、物質透過性を高め、体内に抗原を安全に入れようという技術を開発しました。基礎レベルの研究ですが、実用化へ向けてこれからも研究を進めます。

- 51 -Dissecting the mechanism of cellular senescence that regulates
tumor microenvironment
Shizue Ohsawa
Kyoto University
Ohsawa@lif.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Abstract
Cell-cell interactions play important roles in tumor microenvironment. However, the mechanism
by which cell-cell interactions induce tumor progression is poorly understood. We showed in
Drosophila imaginal epithelium that mitochondrial dysfunction, frequently observed in humancancers, promotes oncogenic Ras-induced cellular senescence and senescence-associated secretory
phenotype (SASP), which leads to overgrowth of neighbouring tissue. Our data reveal thatmitochondrial dysfunction contributes to tumor progression in tumor microenvironment through
SASP by cooperating with Ras activation.
Key words : Cellular senescence, tumor progression, cell-cell interaction, Drosophila

Introduction
Cell–cell interactions within tumor microenvironment play a crucial role in epithelial cancer
development. For instance, communication among oncogenic cells, stromal fibroblasts, immune
cells and normal epithelial cells can drive tumor development and progression. However, themechanism by which oncogenic cells cooperate with surrounding cells to drive tumor progression isstill elusive.

Results
We have recently performed a genetic screen in Drosophila imaginal epithelium to identify
genes that drive tumor progression through cell–cell interactions and found that mutations inmitochondrial respiratory complexes in Ras-activated cells (RasV12/mito -/- cells) induce tumor
progression in neighboring benign tumors (Ohsawa et al., Nature, 2012). Interestingly, RasV12/mito-/cells themselves do not proliferate, in spite thatthey secrete the inflammatory cytokine/growth
factor upd. We started to analyze the mechanismof this non-proliferative phenotype of RasV12/
mito -/- cells. We found that RasV12/mito -/- cells
cause cellular senescence and senescenceassociated secretory phenotype (SASP), whichleads to overgrowth of neighboring tissue.
Ras-activated cells express several hallmarksof cellular senescence such as elevation ofsenescence-associated β-galactosidase activity,- 52 -

upregulation of the Cdk inhibitor Dacapo, heterochromatinization and cellular hypertrophy.
Strikingly, defects in mitochondrial function cause Ras-activated cells to undergo DNA damage
response, cell cycle arrest and thereby induce SASP, exhibiting full aspects of cellular senescence.
Mechanistically, mitochondrial defects in conjunction with Ras cause production of reactive oxygen
species, downregulation of CycE activity and activation of p53, which cooperate together to trigger acell cycle arrest- Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) feedback loop that amplifies JNK activation, leading
to upregulation of the inflammatory cytokine Unpaired. Our data suggest that mitochondrial defects
promote Ras-induced cellular senescence and thereby contribute to tumor progression through
SASP.

Discussion & Conclusion
Although accumulating evidence has suggested that cell–cell interactions between premalignant
cells and senescent cells within tumor microenvironment play important roles in cancer
development, the mechanisms underlying such tumor progression have been elusive. In this study,
we found in Drosophila imaginal epithelium that Ras activation and mitochondrial dysfunction
cooperate to induce cellular senescence, which induces oncogenic SASP through the cell cycle
arrest-JNK amplification loop. Both Ras activation and mitochondrial dysfunction are frequently
associated in human cancer. Such senescent cells could exist in tumor tissue for a long period andcontribute to tumor progression through chronic ‘oncogenic inflammation’ by SASP factors.

References
1. Ohsawa S, Sato Y, Enomoto M, Nakamura M, Betsumiya A, Igaki T, Nature, 490 547-551 (2012)
2. Nakamura M, Ohsawa S, Igaki T: Nature Communications, 5 5264 (2014)

一般の皆様へ
ヒトのがんにおいて高頻度で観察される「がん遺伝子 Ras の活性化」と「ミトコンドリア機能障害」が同時に起こると、細胞が老化し、周辺の良性腫瘍を悪性化することが、ショウジョウバエ上皮を用いた解析により明らかになりました。ショウジョウバエ上皮で明らかになったメカニズムが哺乳類でも観察されるのかを解析することで、老化した細胞をターゲットとしたような新しいがん治療法の開発につながることが期待されます。

- 53 -

Research on physiological and pathological roles of skin microbiome
Ken Natsuga
Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine
natsuga@med.hokudai.ac.jp

Abstract
Skin commensal microbiota covers the whole body of organisms. Though implicated in the skinhomeostasis, the role of skin microbiota has not been fully understood. Here, we uncovered thatskin microbiota undergoes quantitative and spatial alterations upon antibiotics treatment. However,expression of skin antimicrobial peptides or immune cell infiltration was not affected by modulationof skin microbiota. These results indicate that skin commensal bacteria may not have a major roleon skin inflammation.
Key words : Skin microbiota

Introduction
Skin is one of the largest organs in the body. While serving as a barrier against external antigens,skin is covered by commensal bacteria. The dynamics and role(s) of skin commensal bacteria havenot been elucidated yet.

Results
Quantitative PCR (qPCR) on 16s rRNA of microbiota detected commensal bacteria in the skin.
When skin barrier function was ablated genetically, the amount of skin commensal bacteria wasincreased compared with that of control mice. In situ hybridization technique revealed commensal
bacteria in the outermost layer of skin (cornified layer). Skin barrier defects allowed deeper
localization of commensal bacteria in the epidermis.
Antibiotics treatment reduced the amount of skin commensal bacteria in the treated mice. Althoughskin barrier defects were known to induce inflammation effects such as infiltration of CD4+ T-cells,
antibiotics treatment on skin barrier defective mice did not reverse the inflammatory phenotype.
Skin barrier defective mice showed a higher level of antimicrobial peptides expression inskin compared with control. Again, antibiotics treatment did not affect the expression level ofantimicrobial peptides.

Discussion & Conclusion
These results indicate that skin microbiota is altered in quality and quantity when skin barrier
is ablated. Commensal bacteria may not have a major role on regulating skin inflammation andexpression of antimicrobial peptides.

- 54 -

References
1. Sevilla LM, Nachat R, Groot KR, Klement JF, Uitto J, Djian P, Määttä A, Watt FM.
Mice deficient in involucrin, envoplakin, and periplakin have a defective epidermal barrier.
J Cell Biol 179:1599-612, 2007
2. Natsuga K.
Epidermal barriers.
Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 4:a018218, 2014

一般の皆様へ
皮膚は全身を覆っており、最大の臓器の 1 つです。皮膚は人体の表面に位置しているため、外界とのバリアの役目を果たしていますが、それと同時に皮膚に常在菌と呼ばれる細菌叢が存在しています。私の研究では、皮膚のバリアが不足しているモデル動物を用いて、皮膚の常在菌がどのように変化するかを解析しました。解析は困難でしたが、常在菌に対する研究の一助になって人類の健康に少しでも寄与できればと考えております。

- 55 -

The role of sialidase in Group B Streptococcus pathogenesis
Masaya Yamaguchi
Department of Oral and Molecular Microbiology,
Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry
yamaguchi@dent.osaka-u.ac.jp

Abstract
Group B Streptococcus agalactiae is a major pathogen of neonatal meningitis. Pneumococcal
sialidase, NanA, functions as an invasin of central nervous system and anti-phagocytic factor. In
this study, we analyzed nanA-ortholog of S. agalactiae. We named the nanA-ortholog as “nonA”,
since NonA lacks sialidase activity. Phylogenetic analysis, invasion assay using human brain
microvascular endothelial cells, blood survival assay, and mouse meningitis model indicated that
NonA lost its sialidase activity during evolutional history and S. agalactiae acquired anothersurvival strategy with sialic acid-capsule instead of the active sialidase.
Key words : Streptococcus agalactiae, Sialidase, Meningitis, Evolution

Introduction
Group B Streptococcus agalactiae is a leading cause of meningitis in human newborns, andcommonly isolated from pharyngeal, rectal, or virginal site. S. agalactiae contains pneumococcal
sialidase-like protein, whereas the sialic acid-capsule of S. agalactiae is a critical virulence factor.
Interestingly, the sialidase of Streptococcus pneumoniae, NanA, functions as an invasin of central
nervous system (1) and anti-phagocytic factor (2) and S. pneumoniae express polysaccharide capsulewithout sialic acid. In this study, we analyzed the role of nanA-ortholog of S. agalactiae in thepathogenesis.

Results
We performed bioinformatics analysis on the nanA-ortholog of S. agalactiae. The computational
analysis showed that NonA lacks the lectin like-domain and cell wall anchoring motif conservedin NanA and we named the nanA-ortholog as “nonA”. Next, we performed phylogenetic andevolutional analysis using the nanA and nonA gene sequences. The sequences were aligned using
MAFFT program and edited using by Jalview. Regions coding sialidase domain were used forphylogenetic analysis. The best-fitting codon evolutionary models were determined by Kakusan4
program. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees and bootstrap values were generated by RAxML
program. Bayesian phylogenetic trees were generated by Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carloanalyses with MrBayes program. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis indicatedthat nonA was derived from nanA. In addition, evolutional analysis through non-synonymous/synonymous ratio calculations using HyPhy software package suggested enriched purified selection
codons in nanA genes of S. pneumoniae strains. Oppositely, poor purified selection codons weredetected in the nonA genes of S. agalactiae.

- 56 -

Next, we constructed S. agalactiae ∆nonA strain and ∆nonA expressing pneumococcal NanA
strain (∆nonA pNanA strain). The mutation or plasmid introduction were confirmed by colony direct
PCR and/or site-specific PCR using purified genomic DNA. Sialidase activities of S. agalactiae
wild-type, ∆nonA, and ∆nonA pNanA strains were determined by fluorometric sialidase activity
kit. In the sialidase assay, S. agalactiae wild-type and ∆nonA strains did not show sialidase activity,
but ∆nonA pNanA strain showed high activity. And then, flow cytometry using FITC-labeledgalactose-binding lectin indicated that ∆nonA pNanA strain degraded its own terminal sialic acidand exposed galactose on the capsular polysaccharide. To examine the role of NonA and NanA on
the invasion of central nerve system, we performed S. agalactiae-invasion assay using human brain
microvascular endothelial cells. To quantify bacterial invasion, cells incubated with S. agalactiae
for 1 hour were washed 3 times and incubated for 1 hour in medium containing antibiotics, thenwashed again, lysed, and plated to determine the number of invaded bacterial organisms. The
invasion rate of ∆nonA pNanA strain into human brain microvascular endothelial cells was morethan three times higher than that of wild-type and ∆nonA strains, while there were no differences
between wild-type and ∆nonA strains. In addition, we compared bacterial survival rate in humanblood. We added S. agalactiae wild-type, ∆nonA and ∆nonA pNanA strains into human fresh blood,and incubated them for 1, 2, and 3 hours at 37˚C in 5% CO2. Viable cell counts were determined byplating lysed and diluted samples onto THY agar. Interestingly, the growth rate of ∆nonA pNanA
strain in the blood was around 30% of that of wild-type and ∆nonA strains, while there were nodifferences between wild-type and ∆nonA strains. Finally, to investigate the role of NonA and NanAin in vivo pathogenesis, we infected the S. agalactiae strains to mice intravenously. At 18 hours
after infection, we compared bacterial CFU in blood and brains from mice. There were no large
differences between wild-type and ∆nonA strains regarding CFUs in the blood and brains. However,∆nonA pNanA strain were not detected in blood and brains from the mice at all.

Discussion & Conclusion
Pneumococcal NanA was reported as multifunctional protein contributing the invasion of central
nervous system, anti-phagocytosis, super-infection with influenza virus and so on (1-3). However,in this study, we showed S. agalactiae lacked sialidase activity and nanA-ortholog, nonA, did notcontribute to invasion into human brain microvascular endothelial cells and bacterial survival
in human blood. In addition, the deficient of nonA did not affect in vivo infection. Interestingly,
evolutionary analysis indicated nonA was derived from nanA and genetic introduction of nanA into
S. agalactiae decreased bacterial survivability in vivo.
These results indicated that NonA lost its sialidase activity during evolutional history and S.
agalactiae acquired another survival strategy with sialic acid-capsule through inactivation of
sialidase.

- 57 -

References
1. Uchiyama S. et al. The surface-anchored NanA protein promotes pneumococcal brain endothelial
cell invasion. J Exp Med. 206(9):1845-52. 2009
2. Chang Y.C. et al. Leukocyte inflammatory responses provoked by pneumococcal sialidase.
MBio. 3(1). pii: e00220-11. 2012
3. King Q.O. et al. Pneumococcal surface protein A contributes to secondary Streptococcus
pneumoniae infection after influenza virus infection. J Infect Dis. 200(4):537-45. 2009

一般の皆様へ
B 群レンサ球菌 (Streptococcus agalactiae) は新生児の細菌性髄膜炎の主な原因菌である。肺炎球菌において、シアル酸分解酵素が細菌性髄膜炎の発症に重要な役割を果たす。本研究では、B 群レンサ球菌のシアル酸分解酵素様分子 NonA の系統解析と機能の検討を行った。コンピュータによる進化解析と遺伝子変異株を用いた実験の結果から、NonA は進化の過程でシアル酸分解能を失い、B 群レンサ球菌のヒト脳血管内皮細胞への侵入、ならびに血中での生存に寄与しないことが示唆された。また、B 群レンサ球菌がシアル酸分解能を失い、莢膜にシアル酸を持つという新たな生存戦
略を選択した可能性が示された。

- 58 -

Development of novel treatment strategies targeting
the R-spondin-LGR5 axis of brain tumor stem cells
Ryo Nasu
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
r-nasu@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp

Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in human cancer. Here we show that Wnt signaling
promotes the dissociation of the Axin1-APC complex in glioblastoma cells cultured in serumfree medium. Introduction of a phosphomimetic mutation into Thr160 of Axin1, located in the
APC-binding region RGS, abrogated the interaction of Axin1 with APC. Consistent with theseobservations, the Axin1 phosphomimetic mutant lost the ability to reduce β-catenin stability. Taken
together, our results suggest a novel mechanism of Wnt signaling through the dissociation of theβ-catenin destruction complex by Axin1 Thr160 modification.
Key words : APC, Axin1, β-catenin destruction complex, glioblastoma, Wnt signaling

Introduction
The Wnt signaling pathway mainly regulates the stability of β-catenin, a key mediator of the Wnt
cascade. In resting cells, cytosolic β-catenin is captured by the β-catenin destruction complex
which consists of Axin1, APC, GSK3 and CK1. The molecular mechanism of β-catenin destruction
complex inactivation after Wnt stimulation has been extensively studied using cell lines maintained
in serum-containing medium. In the present study, we analyzed the molecular mechanism of Wntinduced inhibition of the β-catenin destruction complex using a serum-free cell culture system.

Results
We analyzed the formation of the endogenous β-catenin destruction complex after Wnt stimulationin glioblastoma cells maintained in serum-free medium. Time-course experiments showedthat Axin1, a rate-limiting factor of the β-catenin destruction complex, dissociated from APC
immunoprecipitates within 30 minutes of Wnt3a treatment. Because changes in the gel mobility of
Axin1 were observed after Wnt3a stimulation, we next examined the possibility that Axin1-APC
interaction is controlled by post-translational modifications of Axin1. We tested the effect of the
GSK3 inhibitor BIO on Axin1-APC dissociation as Axin1 is known to be a substrate for GSK3. In
BIO-treated cells, Wnt3a treatment no longer abrogated the association between Axin1 and APC.
Together, these results suggest that Wnt signaling promotes the dissociation of the Axin1-APC
complex in a phosphorylation-dependent manner.
Several phosphorylation sites mapped to the β-catenin-binding region of Axin1 have alreadybeen characterized. However, no phosphorylation in the APC-binding domain RGS has beenreported. We found several consensus substrate sequences for GSK3 located in the RGS domain- 59 -

and focused on Thr160 in human Axin1 because phosphorylation of this residue was found inmass spectrometry data. We generated mutant forms of Axin1 in which Thr160 is converted toAla (T160A: phosphoresistant) or Asp (T160D: phosphomimetic). These mutants were expressedin 293T cells and tested for the ability to interact with components of the β-catenin destruction
complex. Notably, the Axin1 phosphomimetic T160D mutant was unable to interact with APC but
retained its association with GSK3β and CK1α. Moreover, β-catenin was barely detectable in the
Axin1 T160D mutant complex. Furthermore, β-TrCP1 showed reduced affinity to the Axin1 T160D
mutant compared to wild-type Axin1. In contrast, no clear difference was observed between wildtype Axin1 and the Axin1 phosphoresistant T160A mutant. Together, these results suggest that theformation of the Axin1-APC complex is regulated by Axin1 Thr160 phosphorylation.
The Wnt co-receptor LRP5/6 is reported to be immediately phosphorylated after Wnt stimulation.
This modification generates a docking site for Axin1, which is thought to be involved in inhibitionof the β-catenin destruction complex. We therefore tested whether phosphorylation of LRP5/6 iscritical for Axin1-APC dissociation using the constitutively active LRP6 ΔN mutant, which lacks
the extracellular domain, and is reported to be constitutively phosphorylated. Overexpression of the
LRP6 ΔN mutant induced dissociation of APC from Axin1. By contrast, the Axin1 phosphoresistant
T160A mutant was insensitive to the expression of the LRP6 ΔN mutant, suggesting that Thr160 is
critical for Wnt-induced Axin1-APC dissociation regulated by LRP6. Together, these results suggestthat Wnt-induced phosphorylation of LRP6 causes Axin1-APC dissociation, probably by promoting
phosphorylation of Axin1 at Thr160.
Finally, we investigated the biological significance of Axin1 Thr160 phosphorylation in theregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Flag-tagged β-catenin was expressed in 293T cells toevaluate LRP6-dependent stabilization of β-catenin. As previously reported, co-expression of the
LRP6 ΔN mutant results in β-catenin stabilization. Overexpression of wild-type Axin1 overcame
this effect whereas the Axin1 phosphomimetic T160D mutant was unable to do so. Reporter assays
using pTOP-tk-luciferase confirmed these results as Wnt3a-induced transcription was repressed bywild-type Axin1 but not by the Axin1 T160D mutant.

Discussion & Conclusion
We proposed a novel transduction mechanism of Wnt signaling. Wnt-induced phosphorylation of
Axin1 at Thr160 may cause the dissociation of the β-catenin destruction complex, thereby activating
β-catenin/TCF-dependent transcription.
A great deal of effort has been made to target the Wnt signaling pathway with small molecules.
Axin1 may be an ideal target as it is considered to be a rate-liming factor of the β-catenin
destruction complex. Recently, HLY78, a chemical compound that targets Axin1, was identified.
HLY78 efficiently activates the Wnt cascade by targeting the DIX domain of Axin1. Based on our
results, compounds that modify Axin1 Thr160 phosphorylation may be able to control the intensityof Wnt signaling. Compound screening using a phospho-specific antibody should be performed in
the future.

- 60 -

References
1. R. Koyama-Nasu et al, Thr160 of Axin1 is critical for the formation and function of the β-catenin
destruction complex. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 459 (2015) 411-5.
2. R. Koyama-Nasu et al, The pleiotrophin-ALK axis is required for tumorigenicity of glioblastoma
stem cells. Oncogene 33 (2014) 2236-44.
3. R. Koyama-Nasu et al, The critical role of cyclin D2 in cell cycle progression and tumorigenicityof glioblastoma stem cells. Oncogene 32 (2013) 3840-5.
4. H. Clevers and R. Nusse, Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and disease. Cell 149 (2012) 1192-205.
5. J.L. Stamos and W.I. Weis, The beta-catenin destruction complex. Cold Spring Harb Perspect
Biol 5 (2013) a007898.
6. V.S. Li et al, Wnt signaling through inhibition of beta-catenin degradation in an intact Axin1
complex. Cell 149 (2012) 1245-56.
7. S.E. Kim et al, Wnt stabilization of beta-catenin reveals principles for morphogen receptorscaffold assemblies. Science 340 (2013) 867-70.
8. K. Tamai et al, A mechanism for Wnt coreceptor activation. Mol Cell 13 (2004) 149-56.
9. S. Wang et al, Small-molecule modulation of Wnt signaling via modulating the Axin-LRP5/6
interaction. Nat Chem Biol 9 (2013) 579-85.

一般の皆様へ
膠芽腫は成人脳腫瘍の中で最も罹患率が高い、極めて予後不良な悪性腫瘍である。本研究では、膠芽腫形成の要である癌幹細胞を標的とする治療法の開発を目指した。その結果、癌幹細胞増殖を刺激する Wnt シグナルを抑制する新規分子スイッチ Axin1 T160 リン酸化を見出した。今後は、Axin1 T160 リン酸化を調節する薬の探索を行う予定である。

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Elucidating how the auditory information is integrated
by morphological techniques
Tetsufumi Ito
University of Fukui
itot@u-fukui.ac.jp

Abstract
The inferior colliculus (IC) is the first integrate center of sound information. By using anatomicaland physiological methods, we analyzed how IC neurons integrate sound information. Large
GABAergic neurons received converged inputs from multiple sources which code different soundinformation, and integrated frequency information. We also developed a method to analyze activityof many neurons in local circuitry simultaneously, which enables how the integration occurs in local
circuit.
Key words : Local circuit, GABA, glutamate, auditory system

Introduction
Sound information is analyzed in several auditory brainstem nuclei, and then integrated in theinferior colliculus (IC). However, it is unknown how the local circuit of IC integrate auditory
information. In this study, we examined how the information is coded in the local circuit by using
combination of morphological and physiological techniques, such as in vivo functional imaging(Experiment 1), spatial expression analysis of an activity dependent molecule (Experiment 2), andmorphological analysis of physiologically-identified neurons (Experiment 3).

Results
1. Analysis of neural network in the IC using in vivo calcium imaging [1].
We established an in vivo calcium imaging technique from layer 1 of the dorsal cortex of the
IC (DCIC), and obtained sound-evoked responses from many layer 1 DCIC neurons for the firsttime. Under anesthesia, mouse IC was exposed, and a fluorescent calcium indicator OGB-AM
was injected in layer 1 of the DCIC. We monitored fluorescent change of layer 1 DCIC neurons
caused by neural activities evoked by sound stimuli with high-speed CCD camera and Nipkow
disk confocal laser microscope. Most of layer 1 DCIC neurons responded to broad band noise andtonal stimuli. Best frequency of layer 1 neurons was low (~10kHz). We found various shapes ofreceptive fields to frequency and intensity of tones, i.e. frequency response area, and neurons withcomplex frequency response area were frequently observed, suggesting integration of frequency
information in these neurons. There was a tendency that pairs of neurons located close showed moresimilar response to sound than those located far. In the medial part of layer 1 of DCIC, cells in more
medial had higher best frequency than those in more lateral part, suggesting medio-lateral tonotopic- 62 -

organization in part of the layer 1 of the DCIC.
2. Identification of characteristic stimuli for each IC cell types using c-fos gene expression.
Rats with or without administration of anesthesia were placed in a sound attenuation chamber for
2 hours. Meantime, sound stimuli, either one of 9 kHz tone, random frequency-modulated tone withcentral frequency of 9 kHz, or no sound were presented. After the stimulation, rats were perfusedwith 4% paraformaldehyde in 0.1M phosphate buffer, and dissected brains were sectioned, andprocessed for immunohistochemistry for VGLUT2, GAD67, and c-fos, which are the marker for
excitatory terminals, GABAergic neurons, and activation, respectively. Whole IC was reconstructedfrom images taken with a laser-scanning confocal microscope, and large GABAergic (LG), small
GABAergic, and non-GABAergic neurons that expressed c-fos were plotted. We found spatial
distribution of each cell type which expressed c-fos was different. LG neurons formed a flat cluster
which may correspond to 9 kHz isofrequency lamina. Other cell types were more dispersed aroundthe lamina. Anesthesia reduced the number of c-fos-positive neurons especially in the DCIC.
3. Correlation between neural morphology and physiological characteristics of single ICneurons.
We employed juxtacellular recording-staining method (Pinault, 1996) to correlate the morphology
and physiological properties of single IC neurons. By using glass electrode filled with TMRcadaverine, unit responses of rat IC neurons to various sound stimuli were recorded, andsubsequently the neurons were filled with TMR-cadaverine. After a survival period, animals
were perfused with fixative, and IC sections were immunostained for VGLUT2 and GAD67 withfluorescent dyes to confirm cell types of recorded neurons. After the confirmation, serial sections
were further immunostained for TMR with DAB to reconstruct axonal and dendritic arborization.
We successfully obtained 89 labeled neurons from 48 animals. LG neurons [2] showed short-latency
response to sound, and had broadly-tuned receptive fields compared with non-GABAergic neurons.
Somata and dendrites of LG neurons were large, and densely covered with excitatory terminals.

Discussion & Conclusion
1. From anatomical studies, layer 1 of DCIC is involved in multimodal processing. Our results
suggest importance of broad band noise and low frequency tone in multimodal processing.
2. Clustered distribution of LG neurons which expressed c-fos may reflect that LG neurons in thesame lamina can be driven simultaneously with a stimulus. This may reflect an anatomical
finding that excitatory neurons innervate many LG neurons inside the same lamina [3].
3. As expected in previous anatomical studies (e.g. [2]), we demonstrated that LG neurons can
respond sound rapidly, and integrate frequency information of complex sound such as frequencymodulated tones. This strongly suggests that using several molecular markers, neurons withspecific functions can be identified with morphological methods.

- 63 -

References
1. Ito T, Hirose J, Murase K, Ikeda H. Determining auditory-evoked activities from multiple cells
in layer 1 of the dorsal cortex of the inferior colliculus of mice by in vivo calcium imaging. Brain
Res. 2014 Nov 24;1590:45-55. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.09.049. Epub 2014 Sep 30.
2. Ito T, Hioki H, Sohn J, Okamoto S, Kaneko T, Iino S, Oliver DL. Convergence of lemniscal andlocal excitatory inputs on large GABAergic tectothalamic neurons. J Comp Neurol. 2015 Apr 16.
doi: 10.1002/cne.23789
3 Ito T, Oliver DL. Local and commissural IC neurons make axosomatic inputs on large
GABAergic tectothalamic neurons. J Comp Neurol. 2014 Oct 15;522(15):3539-54. doi: 10.1002/
cne.23623. Epub 2014 May 21.

一般の皆様へ
私達は音の高さや音のやってくる方向などのさまざまな音についての情報を知る能力を持っています。これは脳のさまざまな領域で音情報の分析を行い、分析された情報を統合することによってなされていると考えられていますが、情報の統合についてはあまりよくわかっていません。この研究では、
情報統合が初めて行われる下丘という脳領域の神経回路がさまざまな音情報をどのように統合して表現するかについて、機能形態学の手法を用いて調べました。

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CARTS-mediated protein transport from the Golgi complex
to the cell surface
Yuichi Wakana
School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
ywakana@toyaku.ac.jp

Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying spatial and temporal control of lipid supply duringtransport carrier biogenesis at the trans-Golgi network (TGN) remain largely elusive. Previously, we
have identified a new class of TGN-to-cell surface carriers, CARTS. Here we report that CARTS
biogenesis requires non-vesicular lipid transfer at endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-TGN contact sites.
Our findings suggest the importance of ER-TGN contact sites in lipid signaling to initiate thebiogenesis of CARTS from the TGN.
Key words : Transport carriers, Golgi complex, Endoplasmic reticulum, Membrane contact sites,
Plasma membrane

Introduction
We have previously established an in vitro system to reconstitute the formation of transport carriers
from the TGN and identified a new class of carriers called CARTS (Wakana et al., 2012). CARTS
transport cargoes, such as PAUF, TGN46, and lysozyme C, from the TGN to the cell surface in a
microtubule- and kinesin-5 (Eg5)-dependent manner, and their biogenesis requires protein kinase
D (PKD)-mediated membrane fission (Wakana et al., 2012, 2013). Transport carrier formation at
the TGN has been thought to require coordinated metabolism of a variety of lipids. However, themolecular mechanisms by which appropriate lipids are supplied at the correct place and time remain
unclear.

Results
We found that knockdown of VAMP-associated protein (VAP) inhibits the processing and secretionof PAUF, one of cargo proteins of CARTS, and that these effects are emphasized when cholesterolsynthesis is inhibited by the addition of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OH). VAP is an ER-resident
integral membrane protein that controls a non-vesicular mode of ceramide and cholesterol transferfrom the ER to the TGN by interacting with lipid transfer proteins, ceramide transfer protein(CERT) and oxysterol binding protein (OSBP), respectively (Hanada et al., 2003, 2009; Mesmin etal., 2013). Double knockdown of CERT and OSBP caused the similar effects as VAP knockdown,
suggesting that VAP regulates PAUF processing and secretion through the interactions of these lipid
transfer proteins.
At the trans-Golgi membranes, ceramide transported by VAP/CERT is converted, together withphosphatidylcholine (PC), to sphingomyelin (SM) and diacylglycerol (DAG) by SM synthase(Huitema et al., 2004; Hanada et al., 2009). We found that DAG-dependent recruitment of PKD to- 65 -

the TGN was inhibited in VAP-depleted cells. To ask whether the functions of VAP in regulating
CARTS-mediated protein transport involves SM- and cholesterol-rich microdomains organization
at the TGN, the microdomains were disrupted by treating cells with D-ceramide-C6, which isconverted to a short chain C6-SM. We found that D-ceramide-C6 also inhibited the processing andsecretion of PAUF. These results suggest that VAP regulates CARTS-mediated protein transport in
two ways, (1) DAG production followed by PKD recruitment to the TGN and (2) cholesterol- andSM-rich microdomain organization at the TGN.
Next, we investigated the roles of VAPs-mediated lipid signaling in the biogenesis of CARTS.
PAUF is localized to the pericentriolar Golgi region with a number of peripheral small punctateelements corresponding to CARTS. We found that in VAP knockdown cells tubular structures wereextended from the Golgi membranes and the number of cells containing such tubules was increased
upon VAP knockdown followed by 25-OH treatment. It has been previously shown that CARTS
formation requires PKD-dependent membrane fission, and the overexpression of a dominantnegative kinase-dead mutant of PKD causes the formation of cargo-containing tubules as a resultof impaired scission of the TGN membranes (Liljedahl et al., 2001; Wakana et al., 2012). Consistent
with this, in cells where PAUF-containing large tubules were formed, the average number of
CARTS was decreased to one third of control cells. PAUF-containing tubules were also formed in
CERT/OSBP double knockdown cells.
We further investigated the effects of VAP knockdown on CARTS biogenesis by using abiochemical assay that we established previously (Wakana et al., 2012). In brief, control and VAP
knockdown cells were permeabilized with digitonin and incubated in the presence of an ATP
regenerating system and rat liver cytosol for 45 min at 32ºC. CARTS-containing fractions werecollected by high-speed centrifugation and Western blotted with an antibody against TGN46, acargo protein in CARTS. Our results indicate a 30% reduction of CARTS upon VAP knockdown
compared with the control.
A series of our experiments showed that VAP forms complexes with CERT and OSBP/Sac1
phosphoinositide phosphatase, respectively, at ER-TGN contact sites. Altogether, our results suggestthat VAP-mediated lipid transfer at ER-TGN contact sites is required for the biogenesis of CARTS
from the TGN.

Discussion & Conclusion
Our study demonstrates the requirement of VAP-mediated non-vesicular lipid transfer for CARTS
biogenesis and provides evidence for the existence of VAP-CERT and VAP-OSBP-Sac1 complexes
at ER-TGN contact sites. Based on our finding, we propose the following model. At ER-TGN
contact sites VAP-CERT and VAP-OSBP-Sac1 complexes transport ceramide and cholesterol
from the ER to the TGN, respectively. Ceramide and PC are then metabolized to SM and DAG by
SM synthase at the TGN. DAG recruits PKD to the TGN membranes and PKD causes membranescission by activating downstream targets. SM and cholesterol facilitate the formation of membrane
microdomains, which function as a platform of molecular machineries responsible for cargo- 66 -

processing, sorting, and membrane bending. In conclusion, our study highlights the significance of
ER-TGN contact sites in lipid signaling leading to transport carrier formation from the TGN.

References
1. Hanada K., K. Kumagai, S. Yasuda, Y. Miura, M. Kawano, M. Fukasawa, and M. Nishijima.
2003. Molecular machinery for non-vesicular trafficking of ceramide. Nature. 426:803-809.
2. Hanada K., K. Kumagai, N. Tomishige, and T. Yamaji. 2009. CERT-mediated trafficking of
ceramide. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1791:684-691.
3. Huitema K., J. van den Dikkenberg, J.F. Brouwers, and J.C. Holthuis. 2004. Identification of afamily of animal sphingomyelin synthases. EMBO J. 23:33-44.
4. Liljedahl M., Y. Maeda, A. Colanzi, I. Ayala, J. Van Lint, and V. Malhotra. 2001. Protein kinase
D regulates the fission of cell surface destined transport carriers from the trans-Golgi network.
Cell. 104:409-420.
5. Mesmin B., J. Bigay, J. Moser von Filseck, S. Lacas-Gervais, G. Drin, and B. Antonny. 2013. A
four-step cycle driven by PI(4)P hydrolysis directs sterol/PI(4)P exchange by the ER-Golgi tether
OSBP. Cell. 155:830-843.
6. Wakana Y., J. van Galen, F. Meissner, M. Scarpa, R.S. Polishchuk, M. Mann, and V. Malhotra.
2012. A new class of carriers that transport selective cargo from the trans Golgi network to thecell surface. EMBO J. 31:3976-3990.
7. Wakana Y., J. Villeneuve, J. van Galen, D. Cruz-Garcia, M. Tagaya, and V. Malhotra. 2013.
Kinesin-5/Eg5 is important for transport of CARTS from the trans-Golgi network to the cellsurface. J. Cell Biol. 202:241-250.

一般の皆様へ
種々のサイトカインやホルモンは、ゴルジ体で輸送小胞に選択的に取り込まれて細胞膜へと運ばれ分泌される。輸送小胞の形成には様々な脂質が関与するが、脂質を適切な場所に適切なタイミングで供給する仕組みは明らかになっていなかった。私達の研究成果は、小胞体膜タンパク質 VAP が、小胞体 - ゴルジ体接触部位での脂質輸送を介してゴルジ体からの輸送小胞形成を制御することを示唆している。このことはゴルジ体での輸送小胞形成が、別のオルガネラである小胞体によって直接的に調節されていることを意味し、小胞輸送研究に新たなパラダイムを創出するものである。また、この成果は小胞体の役割がこれまで考えられていた以上に広範囲に渡ることを示唆しており、オルガネ
ラ間の協調的な制御機構の重要性を示している。

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MT1-MMP in multiple myeloma: a novel modulatorof the microenvironment
Beate Heissig
Institute of Medical Science The University of Tokyo
heissig@ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by the monoclonal proliferationof plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM) and the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulins in theserum. Various proteases have been implicated in the disease progression of MM.
Key words : multiple myeloma, plasmin, matrix metalloproteinases,

Introduction
Accumulating evidence suggests that membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) can
modulate pathways necessary for MM cell proliferation or invasiveness. We showed that the serine
proteinase plasmin(ogen) and MMP-9 regulate HSC fate through KitL release in the BM (Heissig
et al. Cell Stem Cell 2007; Heissig et al. Cell 2002). We demonstrated that the fibrinolytic pathway
regulates MMP-9-dependent myeloid cell influx necessary for lymphoma growth (Ishihara et al.
Leukemia 2011) We showed that (MT1-MMP) is expressed on BM stromal cells and important for B
cell development (Nishida, Blood 2013).

Results
We could show that MT1-MMP is expressed in both MM and stromal cells. Stromal cells support
the growth of MM cells by providing cytokines. The proliferation and survival of MM cells isdependent on cytokines. In recent year, Il-6 has been identified as an important regulator of growthand survival of MM cells. IL-6 can be produced by primary human MM cells and stromal cells.
Lack of MT1-MMP increased IL-6 expression in MT1-MMP deficient MEF cells and MT1-MMP
deficient stroma. Similarly, MM cells cocultured with stroma deficient in MT1-MMP showed
increased IL-6 expression indicating that MT1-MMP expression on stroma cells can alter cytokine
production. IL-6 induces growth of primary cells derived from MM patients in about 50% of thecases. It will require further studies to demonstrate that IL-6 dependent cell lines like MM5.1
or U266-1970 cannot be maintained on these feeder layers.

Although matrix metalloproteinase

inhibitors are available, their clinical application is hampered by severe side effects. We therefore
searched for another approach to regulate MT1-MMP expression.The serine protease plasmin can
activate MT1-MMP. Plasmin is generated by conversion from its precursor, plasminogen (Plg),by the plasminogen activators tissue-type PA (tPA) and urokinase-type PA (uPA). We showed thatplasmin can upregulate various inflammatory cytokines in human monocytes which involve NF-κB
activation. We showed that plasmin inhibition blocked plasmin-mediated NF-κB translocation to the
nucleus, thereby blocking gene expression of IL1b, IL-6 (Sato et. al. Leukemia 2015). In this study- 68 -

we examined the role of plasmin to control the cytokine storm occurring during sepsis and acutegraft versus host disease (after bone marrow transplantation). We found that plasmin inhibitionin vivo prevents aGVHD and LPS-induced sepsis (Sato et al. Leukemia, 2015). Similarly, using
various murine models of inflammatory bowel disease, we showed that plasmin inhibition prevents
inflammatory bowel disease in part by controlling MMP activation which in turn altered the activityof a critical chemokine associated with IBD, CXCL5 (Munakata et al. Gastroenterology, 2015).
Finally, we showed in models of murine syngenic MM and one murine model of human xenograft
MM that plasmin is activation during disease progression (unpublished data, confidential). Further
studies will determine whether plasmin inhibition as a mean of regulating MM growth.

Discussion & Conclusion
Interactions of multiple myeloma cells with the bone marrow microenvironment — either directly
through cell adhesion molecule-mediated interactions between multiple myeloma cells and BM
stromal cells s, or indirectly by the effect of growth factors released by both cell types and trappedin the ECM — activate a pleiotropic proliferative and anti-apoptotic cascade.
We found using murine models of MM that proteases like matrix metalloproteinase but also theserine proteinase plasmin are activated during disease progression.
Our study suggests that plasmin can be a novel biomarker for MM progression. Further studies
will be necessary to establish whether plasmin elevation has biological consequencs for the diseaseprogression in MM, and can be a novel treatment target for MM.

References
1. Munakata S*, Tashiro Y*, Nishida C, Sato A, Komiyama H, Shimazu H, Dhahri D, Salama Y,
Eiamboonsert S, Takeda K, Yagita H, Tsuda Y, Okada Y, Nakauchi H, Sakamoto K, Heissig
B#, Hattori K#. Inhibition of Plasmin Protects Against Colitis in Mice by Suppressing Matrix
Metalloproteinase 9-mediated Cytokine Release From Myeloid Cells. Gastroenterology, 148(3),565-578, 2015.
2. Sato A, Nishida C, Sato-Kusubata K, Ishihara M, Tashiro Y, Gritli I, Shimazu H, Munakata
S, Yagita H, Okumura K, Tsuda Y, Okada Y, Tojo A, Nakauchi, H, Takahashi S, Heissig B#,
Hattori K#. Inhibition of plasmin attenuates murine acute graft-versus-host disease mortality bysuppressing the matrix metalloproteinase-9-dependent inflammatory cytokine storm and effector
cell trafficking. Leukemia, 29(1), 145-56, 2015. # shared senior authorship

一般の皆様へ
最近の国立がんセンターの報告では、白血病、リンパ腫や多発性骨髄腫といった血液がんは、五年生存率は未だ約 40% と、がん全体の平均を下回っており、この背景には、血液がんの再発あるいは治療抵抗性のメカニズムについて、不明な点が多いことが挙げられます。本研究は、こうした血液がんの病態において、不明な点の多い、各種プロテアーゼ群の機能解析を主目的としており、これを基礎とした新しい分子療法開発の基盤形成までをその目的の範疇としております。本研究成果が、近い将来、血液がんに対するトランスレーショナルリサーチへの展開を経て、社会貢献の一環となりますよう、研究者一同、これからも日々努力する所存でございます。

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Research on the role of the novel adipocytokine in heart disease
Noriyuki Ouchi
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
nouchi@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp

Abstract
C1q/TNF-related protein (CTRP) 9 is an adipocytokine that is downregulated in association withobesity. CTRP9-knockout mice had increased myocardial damage and elevated expression of proinflammatory genes in the heart following ischemia-reperfusion or intraperitoneal injection of
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compared with wild-type mice. Treatment of cardiac myocytes with
CTRP9 protein resulted in reduction of inflammatory response to LPS, which was reversed byinhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Thus, CTRP9 prevents acute cardiac injury in
response to pathological stimuli by its ability to attenuate inflammatory reactions through AMPKdependent mechanisms. CTRP9 may represent a novel target molecule for treatment of obesityrelated heart diseases including ischemic heart disease.
Key words : Heart disease, adipocytokine, inflammation, CTRP9Introduction
Obesity is closely associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disorders including ischemic
heart disease (1). Adipose tissue is recognized as an endocrine organ producing a variety of secreted
proteins, also known as adipocytokines or adipokines. C1q/TNF-related protein (CTRP) 9 is an
adipocytokine that belongs to the adiponectin paralog CTRP families and is downregulated inassociation with obesity (2, 3). Here, we investigated the role of CTRP9 in heart disease using lossof-function genetic manipulations.

Results
To investigate the role of endogenous CTRP9 in heart disease, we generated CTRP9-knockout(KO) mice. Plasma CTRP9 protein was undetectable in homozygous CTRP9-KO mice. Under
baseline conditions, CTRP9-KO mice were indistinguishable from littermate wild-type (WT) miceat the age of 12 weeks.
To investigate the role of CTRP9 in cardiac ischemic injury, CTRP9-KO and WT mice were
subjected to 60 min of left anterior descending artery ligation followed by 24 h of reperfusion.
CTRP9-KO mice exhibited increased myocardial infarct size and exacerbated cardiac dysfunction
following ischemia-reperfusion compared with WT mice. CTRP9-KO mice had increased
expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the ischemic heart compared with WT mice as measured byreal-time PCR methods.
To further examine the impact of CTRP9 on endotoxin-induced cardiac dysfunction, a single doseof lipopolysaccharide (LPS: 10 mg/kg) or vehicle was intraperitoneally injected into CTRP9-KO
or WT mice. CTRP9-KO mice showed exacerbated cardiac dysfunction following LPS injection- 70 -

compared to WT mice. CTRP9-KO mice also exhibited increased expression levels of TNF-α
and IL-6 in the heart after LPS administration compared to WT mice. Conversely, systemic
administration of CTRP9 to WT mice improved cardiac dysfunction following LPS injection. Thus,
these data indicate that CTRP9 may be an endogenous modulator that protects the heart from acutedamage and inflammatory responses.
To test the effect of CTRP9 on inflammatory response to LPS at a cellular level, cultured rat
cardiac myocytes were pretreated with CTRP9 protein or vehicle, and subjected to stimulation
with LPS or PBS. Pretreatment of cardiac myocytes with CTRP9 protein significantly reduced
LPS-induced mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-6. CTRP9 pretreatment also suppressed LPSstimulated NF-κB phosphorylation in cardiac myocytes.
To assess the potential involvement of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in theanti-inflammatory actions of CTRP9, cardiac myocytes were transduced with adenoviral vectors
expressing dominant negative mutant form of AMPK (Ad-dn-AMPK) or control Ad-β-gal andtreated with CTRP9 protein or vehicle, followed by stimulation with LPS or PBS. Transduction
with Ad-dn-AMPK abolished CTRP9-induced activation of AMPK signaling in cardiac myocytes.
Transduction with Ad-dn-AMPK also diminished the inhibitory effects of CTRP9 on LPS-induced
expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in cardiac myocytes. Therefore, CTRP9 can reduce inflammatory
response of cultured cardiac myocytes via activation of AMPK in vitro.
To test the contribution of AMPK to cardioprotection by CTR P9 in vivo, the AMPK
phosphorylation in the hearts of CTRP9-KO and WT mice was assessed by Western blot analysis.
LPS administration increased AMPK phosphorylation in WT hearts, but this induction wasdiminished in the myocardium of CTRP9-KO mice. Conversely, systemic delivery of CTRP9
enhanced AMPK signaling in LPS-treated WT mice. Moreover, we intravenously injected LPS into
WT and muscle-specific dn-AMPK-transgenic (dn-AMPK-TG) mice that had received CTRP9 orcontrol. In contrast to WT mice, CTRP9 did not affect cardiac function in dn-AMPK-TG mice after
LPS injection. In addition, CTRP9 treatment had no effects on expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in thehearts of LPS-treated dn-AMPK-TG mice. These data suggest that CTRP9 improves myocardial
dysfunction and inflammatory response to LPS through its ability to activate AMPK in cardiac
myocytes.

Discussion & Conclusion
We found that endogenous CTRP9 confers resistance to myocardial injury responses topathological stimuli. CTRP9-deficiency led to increased myocardial infarct size, exacerbatedcardiac function and enhanced inflammatory response following ischemia-reperfusion (4). Loss of
CTRP9 also resulted in enhancement of cardiac dysfunction and inflammatory response following
LPS administration. Moreover, CTRP9 activated AMPK signaling cascades, and the activationof this signaling pathway attenuated inflammatory response in cardiac myocytes. It has beenshown that obesity is linked with reduced levels of circulating CTRP9 (2, 3). Because obesityrelated disorders are implicated in the severity and worse outcome of heart diseases (1), these data

- 71 -

suggest that reductions in CTRP9 levels could contribute to obesity-linked heart diseases. Notably,
circulating CTRP9 levels are reduced in association with acute or chronic myocardial ischemia (3,5). Thus, CTRP9 supplementation might be beneficial for the treatment or prevention of various
heart diseases including ischemic heart disease.

References
1. Wolk R, Berger P, Lennon RJ, Brilakis ES, Somers VK. 2003. Body mass index: a risk factor for
unstable angina and myocardial infarction in patients with angiographically confirmed coronary
artery disease. Circulation 108:2206-2211.
2. Wong GW, Krawczyk SA, Kitidis-Mitrokostas C, Ge G, Spooner E, Hug C, Gimeno R, Lodish
HF. 2009. Identification and characterization of CTRP9, a novel secreted glycoprotein, from
adipose tissue that reduces serum glucose in mice and forms heterotrimers with adiponectin.
Faseb J 23:241-258.
3. Kambara T, Ohashi K, Shibata R, Ogura Y, Maruyama S, Enomoto T, Uemura Y, Shimizu Y,
Yuasa D, Matsuo K, Miyabe M, Kataoka Y, Murohara T, Ouchi N. 2012. CTRP9 protein protects
against myocardial injury following ischemia-reperfusion through AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)-dependent mechanism. J Biol Chem 287:18965-18973.
4. Kambara T, Shibata R, Ohashi K, Matsuo K, Hiramatsu-Ito M, Enomoto T, Yuasa D, Ito M,
Hayakawa S, Ogawa H, Aprahamian T, Walsh K, Murohara T, Ouchi N. C1q/TNF-related protein
9 protects against acute myocardial injury through an AdipoR1-AMPK dependent mechanism.
Mol Cell Biol. 2015;35:2173-85.
5. Sun Y, Yi W, Yuan Y, Lau WB, Yi D, Wang X, Wang Y, Su H, Wang X, Gao E, Koch WJ, Ma
XL. 2013. C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-9, a novel adipocyte-derived cytokine,
attenuates adverse remodeling in the ischemic mouse heart via protein kinase A activation.
Circulation 128:S113-120.

一般の皆様へ
我が国において、心血管病は主要な死因の一つです。肥満は虚血性心疾患を代表とする心臓病の発症に関わる重要な因子ですが、その詳しい発症機序については明らかになっていません。CTRP9は肥満状態で血中濃度が低下する分子である。本研究ではマウスを用いた解析で CTRP9 が心臓病に対して保護作用を有することが明らかとなりました。肥満における CTRP9 の低下が心臓病の悪化につながる可能性が考えられ、CTRP9 を増加させる治療法は心臓病に効果的である可能性が示唆されました。

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Development of gene-modified T cells inducing potent survival
and migration of anti-tumor T cells
Koji Tamada
Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine
ktamada@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp

Abstract
T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) by gene modification have been shown to
induce potent anti-tumor responses and applied to clinical therapy for hematological malignancies.
In order to generate CAR-expressing T cells (CAR-T cells) with more potent activities, we developed
a novel vector to introduce gene-modification of T cells which express CAR together with cytokine
and chemokine important for T cell survival and migration. Such novel-type of CAR-T cells
demonstrated superior anti-tumor effects in vivo, compared to the conventional CAR-T cells. Thus,
our current study opens next generation of CAR-T cell technology which can be a potent weapon forcancer immunotherapy.
Key words : Cancer immunotherapy, gene-modified T cells, chimeric antigen receptor

Introduction
CAR is a fusion protein consisting of scFv of antibody (Ab) specific to tumor antigen andintracellular T cell signaling motifs such as CD3zeta, CD28 and CD137. CAR-T cells havedemonstrated its efficacy as a means of cancer treatment. In particular, adoptive transfer of antiCD19 CAR-T cells induces frequent remission in patients with B cell malignancies. Anti-tumor
effects of CAR-T cells, however, have yet to be established in patients with solid tumors, due
to a lack of efficient T cell migration and survival at the tumor microenvironment. Therefore,
development of novel CAR technology which overcomes these hurdles is highly demanded.

Results
In order to generate novel CAR-T cells which have a potential to migrate and survive in the tumor
microenvironment, we generated a novel construct of retroviral vector which express interleukin-7(IL-7) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19) together with CAR against tumor antigens.
IL-7 is a cytokine important for T cell survival, while CCL19 is a chemokine which induces T
cell accumulation. Both of them were produced by fibroblastic reticular cells but not by T cells innature. In order to express these molecules and CAR simultaneously, cDNA encoding these genes
were tandemly connected via 2A self-cleavable linkers. This retroviral vector was used to transduce
T cells, generating gene-modified T cells expressing CAR, IL-7, and CCL19 (referred to as 7x19
CAR-T cells). In the culture supernatants of 7x19 CAR-T cells, high levels of IL-7 and CCL19 weredetected as expected, while these cytokine and chemokine were not detected at all in the culture ofconventional CAR-T cells.

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First, a potential of 7x19 CAR-T cells to induce T cell survival and migration was examined by invitro experiments. The number and percentage of live cells in 7x19 CAR-T cells were significantly
higher than those in conventional T cells when they were culture for 5-7 days. In T cell migration
assay using transwell system, CAR-T cells and naïve T cells were placed in the lower and upper
chambers respectively, and the number of naïve T cells which migrated from upper chamber tolower chamber was counted. We found that 7x19 CAR-T cells induced significantly higher number
of T cell migration than did conventional CAR-T cells. In addition, an ability of 7x19 CAR-T cells totrigger T cell migration was completely abrogated by inclusion of anti-CCR7 Ab which interrupted
CCL19 interaction with CCR7 receptor on T cells.
Next, anti-tumor effects of 7x19 CAR-T cells were assessed by mouse tumor models in vivo.
DBA/2 mice were inoculated subcutaneously with P815 tumor which expresses human CD20 as atumor antigen. When the tumor size reached 5-7 mm size, the mice were treated with intraperitoneal
injection of 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CPA), followed by intravenous injection of 7x19 CAR-T
cells or conventional CAR-T cells, both of which recognize CD20 antigen. Growth of tumor was
significantly inhibited by an injection of 7x19 CAR-T cells, compared to CPA alone or conventional
CAR-T cells. In addition, the survival of mice was also significantly prolonged by an injection of
7x19 CAR-T cells. Furthermore, in immunohistochemical analysis, T cell accumulation in the tumor
tissues was clearly enhanced in the mice treated with 7x19 CAR-T cells, compared to CPA alone orconventional CAR-T cells.

Discussion & Conclusion
In this study, we developed a novel CAR construct which express IL-7 and CCL19, the cytokine
and chemokine important for T cell survival and migration. CAR-T cells expressing IL-7 and CCL19
demonstrated a prolonged survival and an ability to induce T cell migration, which was superior toconventional CAR-T cells. In mouse tumor model, an injection of 7x19 CAR-T cells significantly
inhibited tumor growth and prolonged the survival of mice. In the tumor tissue, a potent T cell
accumulation was induced by an injection of 7x19 CAR-T cells. Thus, our study developed the next
generation of CAR technology which mediates superior anti-tumor effects against solid tumor bypotentiating T cell survival and migration in tumor microenvironment. Further studies to elucidate apossibility of this technology in cancer treatment will be needed in clinical situations.

References
1. Sakoda Y, and Tamada K. Development of cancer immunotherapy by next generation multitargeting CAR-T cells. Rinsho Ketsueki. 55(6):651-6, 2014.
2. Tamada K. Development of novel immunotherapy targeting cancer immune evasion. Gan To
Kagaku Ryoho. 41(9):1062-5, 2014.

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一般の皆様へ2015 年現在、日本人の 3 人に１人はがんで死亡しており、効果的な新規がん治療法の開発は我が国にとって喫緊の課題といえる。特に、外科療法、化学療法、放射線療法といった標準治療の枠を超えるアプローチとしてがん免疫療法の開発が期待されている。本研究課題では、がんに対する傷害活性を有することが知られているＴリンパ球を遺伝子改変することで、さらに強力な治療効果を発揮するがん免疫療法の基盤的研究を実施した。我々の開発した治療技術が今後のがん治療に応用されることが期待される。

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The apoptosis-inducing mechanism of biselyngbyaside,a marine macrolide.
Kiyotake Suenaga
Keio University
suenaga@chem.keio.ac.jp

Abstract
Novel biselyngbyaside analogs, biselyngbyolidesB and C and biselyngbyasides E and F, wereisolated from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp., collected on Ishigaki Island, Japan. Isolated
biselyngbyasides were found to exhibit ER stress- and apoptosis-inducing activities in HeLa cells by
inhibiting SERCA.
Key words : Biselyngbyasides, apoptosis, ER stress, SERCA

Introduction
Marine cyanobacteria produce a great number of structurally interesting and unique secondary
metabolites. Some of them have the potential to be lead compounds for medicines. For example,
majusculamides, apratoxins, dolastatins, curacins and hoiamides, which were isolated from marine
cyanobacteria, have the potential to become new lead compounds for drugs. In our continuingsearch for novel biologically active compounds from marine cyanobacteria, biselyngbyaside and its
analogs have been isolated from Lyngbya sp.

Results
In this study, three novel biselyngbyaside analogs, biselyngbyolides B (1) and C (2) andbiselyngbyasides E (3) and F (4) (Figure 1), along with biselyngbyaside (5) and biselyngbyolides
A (6), were isolated from the Okinawan marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp collected on Ishigaki
Island, Japan. We could determine the chemical structures of isolated biselyngbyasides analogs
based on NMR spectral analyses, and their stereochemistries were established based on NOESY
spectra and CD data.

The isolated compounds 1-4, along with 5, were evaluated in terms of their growth-inhibitory
activity against HeLa human cervical cancer cells, HL60 human leukemia cells and WI38 human- 76 -

lung fibroblasts using the MTT assay. The data from this assay indicated that the activities of
1 and 2 without a sugar moiety were much stronger than those of the glycoside analogs. On theother hand, 4 showed weaker activity than the other analogs. These results indicated that the
3-O-methylglucoside moiety reduced growth-inhibitory activity. Furthermore, the Z olefin at C18
was revealed to be important for the growth-inhibitory activity based on a comparison of 4 with 5.
Furthermore, the structure of the C4-C5 moiety does not seem to affect the biological activities. The
strongest analog 1 and 2 were then subjected to further analyses. A trypan blue dye exclusion assay
revealed that 1 induced cell death in HeLa cells, and this was suppressed in the presence of Z-VADFMK, an inhibitor of caspases. In addition, apoptotic DNA laddering in these cells was observed in
the presence of 1 and 2. These results indicated that 1 and 2 induced apoptosis in HeLa cells.
Our current study revealed that 1 activated the transcription of genes that encode the protein
chaperone BiP and the transcription factor CHOP. These genes are known to be markers of
ER stress and thus 1 was estimated to induce apoptosis in cancer cells via ER stress. Next, weinvestigated the effects of 2 and 5 on the expression of these ER stress markers in HeLa cells using
reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Biselyngbyasode (5) was confirmed toactivate the transcription of both BiP and CHOP after 2 h of treatment at 10 μM. Biselyngbyolide
C (2) was also revealed to induce mRNA expression of BiP and CHOP at the same concentration asthat at which it induced apoptosis. These results indicated that biselyngbyasides, like thapsigargin,
induced ER stress and apoptosis in cancer cells.
Futhermore, we evaluated the effect of biselyngbyolides A (6) and B (1) and biselyngbyaside on
the ATPase activity of SERCA (sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) Ca2+-ATPases) by a coupled
enzyme assay. Biselyngbyasides strongly inhibited SERCA1a similar to thapsigargin.
In our continuing search for new biselyngbyaside analogs, we found novel lipopeptides, jahanayne
and mebamamides A and B and determined their chemical structures.

Discussion & Conclusion
We isolated biselyngbyolides B (1) and C (2) and biselyngbyasides E (3) and F (4) from themarine cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp. Based on the results of spectroscopic analyses, 1-4 were
determined to be novel biselyngbyaside analogs. All of these biselyngbyaside congeners showed
growth-inhibitory activities against mammalian cancer cells, and the Z olefin at C18 and thelack of a 3-O-methylglucoside moiety were shown to be important for this activity. In addition,biselyngbyolide C (2), as well as 5, was shown to induce ER stress and apoptosis in HeLa cells basedon SERCA inhibition. Although further studies are needed, biselyngbyaside and its analogs may
have therapeutic potential as new anticancer agents- 77 -

References
1. Osamu Ohno, Ayane Watanabe, Maho Morita, and Kiyotake Suenaga:
Biselyngbyolide B, a Novel ER Stress-inducer Isolated from the Marine Cyanobacterium Lyngbya
sp. Chemistry Letters, 43 (3), 287-289 (2014).
2. Arihiro Iwasaki, Osamu Ohno, Shinpei Sumimoto, Hidetoshi Ogawa, Kim Anh Nguyen, andKiyotake Suenaga:
Jahanyne, an apoptosis-inducing lipopeptide from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp.
Organic Letters, 17 (3), 652-655 (2015).
3. Arihiro Iwasaki, Osamu Ohno, Shinpei Sumimoto, Teruhiko Matsubara, Satoshi Shimada,Toshinori Sato and Kiyotake Suenaga:
Mebamamides A and B, Cyclic Lipopeptides Isolated from the Green Alga Derbesia marina.
Journal of Natural Products, 78 (4), 901-908 (2015).
4. Ayane Watanabe, Osamu Ohno, Maho Morita, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, and Kiyotake Suenaga:
Structures and Biological Activities of Novel Biselyngbyaside Analogs Isolated from the Marine
Cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp. Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan, in press.

一般の皆様へ海洋シアノバクテリアから、新しいビセリングビアサイド類縁物質を発見し、その化学構造を明らかにした。これらの生物活性を評価したところ、腫瘍細胞にアポトーシス（カスパーゼ依存的な細胞死）を誘導した。さらに細胞内カルシウム濃度を上昇させる作用も示した。このことに着目し、小胞体カルシウムポンプ SERCA に対する阻害活性を評価したところ、いくつかの誘導体が低濃度で顕著な SERCA 阻害活性を示した。発見した物質は抗がん剤や SERCA が関係する病気の治療薬へつながる可能性がある。

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Functional analysis of Wnt3 factor regulating adult stem cells
Tomoko Kuwabara
Research Center for Stem Cell Engineering, National Institute ofAdvanced Industrial Science and Technology
t.warashina@aist.go.jp

AbstractWnt signaling pathway (Wnt/β-catenin pathway) is linked tightly to stem cell maintenance incentral nervous system (CNS). Adult neurogenesis is regulated by a number of cellular players
within the neurogenic niche. We determined the role of the Wnt3 factors in various changes ofenvironment that affects the adult neurogenesis.
Key words : stem cells, neuron, adult neurogenesis, Wnt3, signaling

Introduction
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are responsible for continuous neurogenesis during the adult stage.
Astrocyte-secreted Wnt3 promotes the neuronal differentiation from NSCs by the activation of the
NeuroD1 transcription factor in the neuronal progenitor cell. We found that the amount of Wnt3
protein and the number of Wnt3-expressing astrocytes regulate the age-associated decline in adultneurogenesis. Astrocytic Wnt3 expression increased following exercise, suggesting that the impaired
ability of astrocytes to express Wnt3 during aging can be rescued by physiological stimulation.
Our results suggest an important role of paracrine Wnt3 factors in initiating and/or restimulatingneurogenesis throughout life.

Results
As people age, the number of adult NSCs decreases significantly, as does their ability togenerate diverse neuronal populations. The frequency of neurogenesis varies significantly withthe environment in which an individual lives, with stress and disease having a negative impact
on the process. In neurodegenerative diseases and mental disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease,dementia, and depression, adult neurogenesis declines more significantly. This indicates that adultneurogenesis is regulated by a molecular mechanism that can vary as a result of both external
stimuli and the biological environment in which an individual lives. We showed that Wnt3 protein
and the number of Wnt3-secreting astrocytes influence the impairment of adult neurogenesis during
aging (1-15). The age-associated reduction in Wnt3 levels affects the regulation of target genes, suchas NeuroD1. The decline in the extrinsic Wnt3 levels and in the intracellular expression of the target
genes with aging was reversible. Exercise was found to significantly increase de novo expression of
Wnt3 and thereby rescue impaired neurogenesis in aged animals. The chromatin state of NeuroD1,
L1, and the L1 loci near Dcx changed relative to Wnt3 levels in an age- or stimulus-associatedmanner. The results of our study provide insight into the extracellular control of adult neurogenesis
and the role of intracellular chromatin reassembly in this process during aging.

- 79 -

The neurogenic ability of NSCs in the adult mammalian brain is restricted by signals from theirlocal environment. Multipotent NSCs are maintained in the DG of the HPC where neurogenesis
occurs, and underlying astrocytes secrete Wnt3/Wnt3a to support adult neurogenesis. Studies haveshown that a variety of extrinsic factors, including exercise, environmental enrichment, and injury,
stimulate hippocampal neurogenesis. Our present study partly determined the age-associatedsignaling pathways that govern this intriguing biological phenomenon. We showed that, after
running, the deficit in Wnt3 expression in aged mice was rescued and that the impaired neurogenesis
was restored. These findings again indicate that adult neurogenesis is supported by and correlatedwith astrocyte-dependent paracrine stimulation of NSCs. Future studies are required to determine
the regulatory machinery of the response in astrocytes to reinitiate Wnt3 expression following
exercise. Taken together, our results indicate that neurogenesis in the aging HPC is significantly
influenced by extrinsic Wnt3 cues from astrocytes.
Previously, we found that the L1 retrotransposons contains overlapping Sox/LEF sites and that
L1 chromatin is activated by Wnt signaling during adult neurogenesis. Originally described as“jumping genes,” L1s can replicate and reinsert into the genome at different positions. Theseelements are known to be up-regulated and to retrotranspose during neurogenesis. In addition
to the past suggestion that overlapping Sox/LEF sites represent a molecular switch that couples
neuronal generation and diversification, our current study indicated a physiological significancein the age-related chromatin regulation of genomic L1 loci. We analyzed the chromatin regulationof Dcx because its promoter region contains 2 L1 sequence regions with Wnt-signaling regulatory
sites. Expression of Dcx, located ~ 770 bp downstream of the L1 loci, was found to be affected by
the declined Wnt3 levels during aging. In addition, the chromatin states of NeuroD1, L1, and L1loci near Dcx changed relative to Wnt3 levels in an age-associated manner. As aging progressed,
the active states of chromatin in L1 loci, L1, and NeuroD1 gradually shifted to repressed states,in correlation with the decreasing Wnt3 expression levels. This result supports the regulatory link
between “extrinsic cues” and “intracellular regulators” that triggers and controls adult neurogenesis.
We consider that these epigenetic mechanisms are sensors of environmental changes in Wnt3 during
aging or exercise stimulation and are fine modulators of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Futurestudies to uncover the regulatory links at deeper and broader levels, such as pathological aspects,
are crucial to understanding the functions and plasticity of the adult brain.

Discussion & Conclusion
We show that both the amount of Wnt3 protein and the number of Wnt3-expressing astrocytes
regulate the age-associated decline in adult neurogenesis (1-15). The aged HPC contained
significantly low levels of Wnt3, even though astrocytes were present in the DG and consistently
expressed the typical astrocytic markers S100β and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Moreover,the expression levels of NeuroD1 and L1 coordinately decreased in relation to reduced Wnt3 levels
during aging, supporting the role of regulatory links between extrinsic cues and intracellular
regulators in triggering adult neurogenesis. The expression of Dcx, located ~ 770 bp downstream of- 80 -

L1 loci, was also affected by the decreased Wnt3 levels during aging. Furthermore, the chromatinstate of NeuroD1, L1, and L1 loci near Dcx changed relative to Wnt3 levels in an age-associatedmanner. The decline in the extrinsic Wnt3 levels and intracellular expression of the target genes withaging was reversible. Astrocytic Wnt3 expression increased following exercise in both young andaged animals, suggesting that the impaired ability of astrocytes to express Wnt3 during aging canbe rescued by physiological stimulation. Our results strongly suggest an important role of paracrine
Wnt3 factors in initiating and/or restimulating neurogenesis throughout life.

References
1. Fujimaki S, Wakabayashi T, Takemasa T, Asashima M, Kuwabara T. Diabetes and Stem Cell
Function.(2015) Biomed Res Int. 2015:592915.
2. Fujimaki S, Hidaka R, Asashima M, Takemasa T and Kuwabara T Wnt-Mediated Satellite Cell
Conversion in Adult and Aged Mice Following Voluntary Wheel Running.(2014) J Biol Chem,
289(11):7399-7412.
3. Wakabayashi T, Hidaka R, Fujimaki S, Asashima M and Kuwabara T (2014) MicroRNAs andthe epigenetics in adult neurogenesis. Adv Genet., 86, 27-44.
4. Fujimaki S, Takemasa T, Kuwabara T. Transdisciplinary Approach for Sarcopenia. The
effects of exercise on skeletal muscle hypertrophy and satellite cells. Clin Calcium. 2014
Oct;24(10):1463-70.
5. Hidaka R, Machida M, Terashima K, Fujimaki S, Asashima M. Kuwabara T (2013) Monitoring
neurodegeneration in diabetes using adult neural stem cells derived from the olfactory bulb.
Stem Cell Res Ther., 4, 51.
6. Fujimaki S, Masanao M, Hidaka R, Takemasa T, Asashima M and Kuwabara T Intrinsic abilityof adult stem cell in skeletal muscle: an effective and replenishable resource to establishment ofpluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells Int., 2013, 1-18.
7. Kuwabara T and Asashima M (2012) Regenerative medicine using adult neural stem cells:
Potentials for diabetes therapy and other pharmaceutical applications. J. Mol. Cell Biol., 4, 133139.
8. Kuwabara T and Asashima M (2012) Olfactory bulb-derived neural stem cells of diabetes
therapy, Aroma Research, 13, 31-35.
9. Machida M, Asashima M. Kuwabara T (2012) The Insulin Regulatory Network in Adult
Hippocampus and Pancreatic endocrine system. Stem Cells Int. vol. 2012, 1-8.
10. Kuwabara T and Asashima M (2012) Prospects for regeneration therapy with stem cells,
Inflammation and Regeneration, 32, 438-445.
11. Kuwabara T (2012) Environmental activation of retroelements during adult neurogenesis,
Environment and Epigenetics.
12. Antoszczyk S, Terashima K, Warashina M, Asashima M, Kuwabara T (2012) Active expressionof retroelements in neurons differentiated from adult hippocampal neural stem cells. Neural
Stem Cells and Therapy, 11, 223-238.
13. Kuwabara T, Kagalwala MN, Onuma Y,Ito Y, Warashina M, Terashima K, Sanosaka T,
Nakashima K, Gage FH, Asashima M (2011) Insulin biosynthesis in neuronal progenitors
derived from adult hippocampus and the olfactory bulb. EMBO Mol. Med., 3, 742-754.
14. Okamoto M., Inoue K, Iwamura H, Terashima K, Soya H, Asashima M and Kuwabara T. (2011)
Reduction in paracrine Wnt3 factors during aging causes impaired adult neurogenesis. FASEB J.,
25, 3570-3582. 査読あり
15. Kuwabara T, Hsieh J, Muotri A, Yeo G, Warashina M, Lie DC, Moore L, Nakashima K,
Asashima M, Gage FH. (2009) Wnt-mediated activation of NeuroD1 and retro-elements during
adult neurogenesis. Nat Neurosci. 12, 1097-1105.

- 81 -

一般の皆様へ
大人の体内に存在する幹細胞のうち、脳内の神経幹細胞は継続的な神経新生にとって非常に重要な役割を持っている。幹細胞の自己複製・分化における Wnt3 因子の持つ役割と、「運動」による成体組織の活性化には密接なつながりがあることを、我々は本研究で明らかにした。様々な種類の運動が、機能が衰えた幹細胞の機能そのものを高める機序が明らかになると、サルコペニアや神経疾
患の進行状態でも幹細胞の機能の変化を先立って効率よく起こす施術の探索も可能になるのではな
いかと考えており、そもそもの予防法の開発にもつながる意義がある。

- 82 -

Functional analysis of a novel suppressive factor at fertilization
Naofumi Miwa
Toho University, School of Medicine, Department of Physiology
nmiwa@med.toho-u.ac.jp

Abstract
Dicalcin is a novel fertilization-regulatory protein in frogs (Ref. 1) and mice (Ref. 2). In the frog
egg-coating envelope, dicalcin binds to gp41, an envelope constituent glycoprotein, regulates the
distribution pattern of oligosaccharides within the envelope, and ultimately suppresses fertilization
success, depending upon its expression levels. In this study, I aimed to elucidate the molecularmechanism for the unique action of dicalcin and determined the interactive regions of dicalcin and
gp41, its target molecule. In addition, I successfully clamped the envelope either at fertilizationcompetent or incompetent status, and discovered the ultrastructural difference between two statuses.
Key words : Fertilization, Oligosaccharide

Introduction
Fertilization begins with species-restricted interaction of sperm and the egg-coating envelope(called zona pellucida [ZP]). The ZP contains a three-dimensional meshwork of filaments
constituted by glycoproteins (called ZP proteins). Evidence has accumulated showing that spermZP interaction involves oligosaccharides attached on ZP proteins, the polypeptide moiety of aconstitutive ZP protein and/or a three dimensional structure of the ZP; however, precise mechanismsof sperm-ZP interaction remain elusive (for a review see Ref. 3). In this study, I focused on thefertilization-suppressive action of dicalcin and aimed to contribute to a deeper understanding ofhighly sophisticated mechanisms of sperm-ZP interaction.

Results
Identification of amino acid regions responsible for the inhibitory action of dicalcin
To reveal the molecular mechanism of the action of dicalcin, I set out to identify the interactive
regions on dicalcin for its target glycoprotein, gp41. First, I prepared a set of deletion mutants ofdicalcin, and examined the binding activity of each mutants. Mutants truncated at the N-terminalside of dicalcin lost their binding activity to gp41, whereas mutants truncated at the C-terminal side
retained their binding activities, indicating that the binding region is located within the N-terminal
half of dicalcin. To specify the binding region, I synthesized peptides that flanked the N-terminal
half of dicalcin and examined their binding to gp41, and found that two amino acid regions (sixand nine amino acid residues) had the maximal binding activities. In addition, pretreatmentof unfertilized eggs with peptides corresponding to these two regions markedly inhibited thefertilization rate in a concentration-dependent manner with submicromolar Kd values. Therefore, I- 83 -

concluded that these two regions are primary sites essential for the action of dicalcin.
Identification of the amino acid region responsible for the binding of gp41 to dicalcin
ZP proteins, in general, contains a single conserved ~260 amino-acid-residues domain, called ZP
domain, that is divided into two regions (N-terminal ZP-N and C-terminal ZP-C), each of which isconsidered to function in the dimerization of ZP proteins. To examine the binding region of gp41
to dicalcin, we generated full-length, ZP-N and ZP-C domains of gp41 and examined their binding
to dicalcin. The results showed that dicalcin bound to recombinant gp41 and ZP-C, but not to ZPN, suggesting that ZP-C domain is the responsible domain for the binding of gp41 to dicalcin. I
next prepared a set of deletion mutants of ZP-C domain, and found the potential dicalcin-binding
region of gp41, among which I obtained a synthesized peptide that facilitated the fertilization rate.
Thus, these results suggested that this region is likely responsible for the native binding of gp41 todicalcin.
Reversible change in the ultrastructure of the ZP meshwork caused by the above peptides.
It has been known that alterations in the distribution pattern of oligosaccharides within the ZP
correlated with the fertilization failure in human oocytes, raising an important question: what is the
structural basis for fertilization competence of the ZP. To solve this biologically significant question,
I attempted to clamp the ZP at fertilization competent or incompetent statuses by extrinsic treatment
with synthetic peptides corresponding to interactive regions. For example, treatment of unfertilized
eggs with an excess amount of dicalcin-derived peptides would enhance the action of dicalcin,
rendering the ZP the incompetent status, while treatment with gp41-derived peptide would mask
the action of dicalcin, turning the ZP into the competent status. On the basis of this consideration,
I treated eggs with these peptides, and investigated the ultrastructure of the ZP filaments using
electron microscopy. The results revealed that there is a striking difference in the orientation patternof the ZP meshwork between two statuses, suggesting that fertilization competence, at least in part,
depends upon the ultrastructure of the ZP.

Discussion & Conclusion
In this study, I identified amino-acid regions responsible for the native interaction between
dicalcin and gp41 by using a series of truncated mutants. Synthetic peptides corresponding tothese regions were capable of controlling the fertilization success. Between two (i.e., fertilizationcompetent or –incompetent) controlled statuses, there was a striking difference in the nanoscaleorientation of ZP filaments (Ref. 4). These results are the first to identify a fine structural basis offertilization competence of the ZP meshwork, and may explain varied fertility in mature oocytes ofmany animals. Furthermore, this fact surely promotes the development of efficacious drugs toward
contraceptive strategy and the treatment of infertility in animals, including domestic animals andeven humans.

- 84 -

References
1. Miwa N*, Ogawa M, Shinmyo Y, Hiraoka Y, Takamatsu K, Kawamura S
Dicalcin Inhibits Fertilization through its Binding to a Glycoprotein in the Egg
Envelope in Xenopus laevis. J Biol Chem 285, 15627-15636 (2010).
2. Hanaue M, Miwa N*, Uebi T, Fukuda Y, Katagiri Y, Takamatsu K
Characterization of S100A11, a Suppressive Factor of Fertilization, in the Mouse
Female Reproductive Tract. Mol Reprod Dev 78, 91-103 (2011).
3. Miwa N*
Protein-Carbohydrate Interaction between Sperm and the Egg-Coating Envelope and Its
Regulation by Dicalcin, a Xenopus laevis Zona Pellucida Protein-AssociatedProtein. Molecules 20, 9468-9486 (2015).
4. Miwa N*, Ogawa M, Hanaue M, Takamatsu K.
Fertilization competence of the egg-coating envelope is regulated by direct interaction of dicalcin
and gp41, the Xenopus laevis ZP3. (Under revision)

一般の皆様へ
受精の成立は、精子と卵の適切な相互作用に始まります。したがって、精子と卵の相互作用の研究は、従来より生殖科学の主要なテーマの一つです。本研究では、受賞者が同定した新規受精調節タンパ
ク質ダイカルシンがどのように受精調節作用を現すのかに注目し、その一端を分子レベルで明らかにしました。ここで得られました知見を応用することにより、生殖補助医療や畜産動物繁殖において新しい技術の開発に繋げたいと考えています。

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Development of tubular construct based on heparin-collagen conjugate
Hiroyuki Ijima
Kyushu University
ijima@chem-eng.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Abstract
Tubular construct based on heparin-collagen conjugate was developed. This conjugate gel tube hassuitable biocompatibility and able to equip antibacterial activity. Furthermore, sufficient mechanicalstrength was realized by woven fabrics-reinforced technology. This functional gel tube was
successfully transplanted as artificial portal vein, inferior vena cava, and bile duct in rat and pig.
Based on these results, this hydrogel tube will be a potential tubular construct for transplantation.
Key words : Tubular construct, Heparin-collagen conjugate, Bile duct, Growth factor

Introduction
Development of functional tubular construct is important in the field of medical treatment.
For example, the artificial bile duct is desired for repair or treatment of stricture of bile duct inlaparoscopic cholecystectomy and living-donor liver transplantation. I have already reported thedevelopment of growth factor immobilizable collagen. My aim is the development of a functional
tubular construct which is replaceable to viable tissue by using this material. In this study, I report
the development of a functional tubular construct consists of this material which has suitablemechanical strength for transplantation and the effectiveness in animal experiments.

Results
Heparin-collagen conjugate was prepared by using EDC/NHS. Enzymatically cross-link formation
was used for the gelation of this conjugate. This conjugate gel had the high affinity with growth
factors such as EGF, bFGF, VEGF and HGF, and was able to immobilize those growth factors.
The endothelial cell on this conjugate gel showed remarkable proliferation and high migration
characteristics. These are the characteristics that are extremely effective in a purpose called thepromotion to be endothelialized.
Antibacterial agent was also bound to this conjugate gel with EDC/NHS. Biodegradability andantibacterial activity of the constructed gel was determined. The antibacterial activity such as
growth inhibition was maintained even in antibacterial agent-immobilized gel condition. This
conjugate gel was gradually degradated in subcutaneous transplant for several weeks. And theremaining conjugate gel and the biodegradated antibacterial agent-immobilized heparin-collagenconjugate maintained the antibacterial activity without showing cytotoxicity to mammalian cells.
The hydrogel tube was made using a template of which size is 5 mm in internal diameter, 1 mm
in thickness and 4 cm in length. Unfortunately, This hydrogel tube was too weak to use as an
artificial bile duct. To improve this mechanical strength, short fibers of antibiotics controlled-- 86 -

releaseable medical suture thread was mixed in the gel. The mechanical strength of the gel tube waseasy to control by the content of the fibers. Furthermore, the improvement of mechanical strengthof the gel was much enhanced by using woven fabrics made by the thread. The developed woven
fabrics-reinforced gel tube could be stitched with medical suture by surgeon. Additionally, thewoven fabrics-reinforced conjugate gel tube of approximately 1mm in diameter was prepared as atransplantation samples for the rats, too.
This conjugated gel tube was transplanted to rat as a functional blood vessel. This conjugate
gel tube was transplanted to portal vein and inferior vena cava. The clot formation occurred
immediately in heparin-unconjugated gel tube which I transplanted as control, and blood vessel
occluded. On the contrary, the clot formation did not occur in 12-day transplant and made probe
patency well when heparin-collagen conjugated gel tube developed in this study was transplanted.
Furthermore, woven fabrics-reinforced conjugate gel tube was transplanted as an artificial
common bile duct of pig by end-to end anastomosis. This transplanted pig was survived for a month.
These results suggest that the creation of the artificial common bile duct consist of woven fabricsreinforced heparin collagen conjugate gel tube will be available in medical treatment. However, acholer leak was observed. Furthermore, being endothelialized with substitution to the organizationof the gel tube was insufficient.
The voluntary immobilization of the growth factor of the recipient was made in this study, but it isthought that it was insufficient to show enough curative effect. It will be thought that immobilizationof the optimized growth factor cocktail is necessary in future. Furthermore, the need of the coating
technology development for prevention of choler leak was shown on the occasion of the use as theartificial bile duct.
Development of functional tubular construct for the transplant is expected by adding theimprovement mentioned above to the functional hydrogel tube which I developed in this study.

Discussion & Conclusion
Transplantable heparin-collagen conjugate gel tube was developed in this study. This hydrogel tube
equipped suitable biocompatibility and growth factor immobilizability. Furthermore, This hydrogel
tube prevents blood clotting and enhances endothelialization. Additionally, sufficient mechanicalstrength for suture could be provided by the development of woven fabrics-reinforced hydrogel
tube. Based on these developments, functional hydrogel tube was developed and was successfullytransplanted as portal vein/inferior vena cava of rat and common bile duct of pig. Therefore, I
consider that tubular construct based on heparin-collagen conjugate was successfully developed andit will be a potential devise in the field of medical treatment such as blood vessel and bile duct.

- 87 -

References
1. 白木川 奈菜 , 徳山 慶太郎 , 平山 貴啓 , 今井 大祐 , 山下 洋市 , 調 憲 , 前原 喜彦 , 井嶋 博之 ,組織工学的人工胆管及び人工血管を目指した機能性ゲルチューブの開発 , 第 14 回日本再生医療学会総会 ,2015.03.19.
2. 平山 貴啓 , 徳山 慶太郎 , 白木川 奈菜 , 井嶋 博之 , 人工胆管構築に向けた抗菌剤除放能を有する足場基材の開発 , 第 21 回日本生物工学会九州支部熊本大会 ,2014.12.06.
3. Keitaro Tokuyama, Nana Shirakigawa, Daisuke Imai, Yo-ichi Yamashita, Ken Shirabe, Yoshihiko
Maehara, Hiroyuki Ijima,Functional hydrogel tube for artificial bile duct,TERMIS-AP 2014
(Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society, Asia-Pacific Annual
Conference 2014),2014.09.26,[URL].
4. 徳山 慶太郎 , 平山 貴啓 , 我有 紘彰 , 白木川 奈菜 , 今井 大祐 , 山下 洋市 , 調 憲 , 前原 喜彦 ,井嶋 博之 , 増殖因子固定可能を有する組織工学的チューブ足場基材の開発 , 化学工学会 第46 回秋季大会 ,2014.09.17.
5. 我有 紘彰 , 徳山 慶太郎 , 叶 セイ佳 , 白木川 奈菜 , 井嶋 博之 , ヘパリン固定化基材からなる
組織工学的人工血管開発に向けた検討 , 化学工学会 第 46 回秋季大会 ,2014.09.17.
6. 我有 紘彰 , 徳山 慶太郎 , 白木川 奈菜 , 井嶋 博之 , 組織工学的人工血管開発に向けたヘパリン固定化基材についての検討 , バイオマテリアル学会 九州ブロック講演会 ,2014.09.13.

一般の皆様へ
体内における物質輸送器官としての管腔構造体は重要である。血液が流れる血管や胆汁が流れる
胆管がその例である。本研究では機能性管腔構造体の開発とその有効性評価を目的とした。コラー
ゲンとヘパリンを主な材料として機能性管腔構造体を作製した。この構造体は血栓形成防止、さらには各種増殖因子固定化による細胞増殖と内皮化促進を実現できた。また、繊維強化技術を組み合わせることで実使用に耐える強度を有する構造体開発に成功した。今後付与する機能性の最適化等が必要ではあるが、新たな再生医療技術として臨床への展開が期待できる機能性管腔構造体の開発に成功した。

- 88 -

Analysis of non-coding RNA-Proteins interaction regulating sister
chromatid cohesion
Takashi Ideue
Graduate School of Science Technology, Kumamoto University
t-ideue@sci.kumamoto-u.ac.jp

Abstract
Satellite I RNA is non-coding RNA transcribed from human centromere region. This RNA
is involved in regulation of chromosome segregation. Depletion of this RNA caused premature
separation of mitotic sister chromatids. We identified RBMX as interacting protein with Satellite I
RNA. Depletion of RBMX also caused abnormal separation of mitotic sister chromatids and defects
in chromosome segregation. Sororin is known to be involved in cohesion regulation. In Satellite
I RNA depleted cells, Aurora B, phosphorylate Sororin abnormally, and it caused loss of Sororin
activity to protect cohesion. From these results we consider that Satellite I RNA and interacting
factors is involved in Chromosome segregation through regulation of cohesion.
Key words : Noncoding RNA, Chromosome segregation, RNP, Sister Chromatid

Introduction
Satellite I RNA is non-coding RNA transcribed from human centromere region. Because depletionof this RNA caused abnormal chromosome segregation, this RNA is involved in regulation of thisprocess. Aurora B, one of the key factors of chromosome segregation, associate with this RNA.
Depletion of Satellite I RNA caused mislocalization of Aurora B and elevation of Aurora B kinase
activity. From these results we consider that Satellite I RNA regulates chromosome segregation
through control of Aurora B function. To identify Satellite I RNA binding factors, we carried out
pulled down of this RNA, and identified RBMX as a candidate of component of Satellite I RNP.

Results
Satellite I RNA is non-coding RNA transcribed from human centromeric region. Depletion of thisRNA using anti-sense oligonucleotide caused the abnormal nuclear morphology, it contains multiple
small nucleus in a cell. In RNA knockdown cell, condensed chromosomes could not align andsegregate. And then each chromosome de-condensed and created small nucleus without segregation.
We consider that centromere RNA have a role in chromosome segregation (Figure 1).
Centromere

Abnormal+nuclei+of++
Normal+nuclei Satellite+I+RNA+KD+Cell

Satellite I RNA    

Fig. 1.
Satellite I RNA, non-coding RNA transcribed from human centromeric region.
Satellite I depleted cells shows abnormal nuclear morphology.

- 89 -

To examine how Satellite I RNA regulates chromosome segregation, we carried out mitotic
chromosome spread experiments to observe the sister chromatids structure in mitotic cells. Sister
chromatids connected at centromere by cohesion. It shows X-shape structure. This chromatid
structure is required for proper chromosome segregation. On the other hand, in Satellite I RNA
depleted cells, cohesion removed from centromere, and sister chromatids immaturely separated.
We considered that this abnormal chromatid structure results in defects of chromosome segregation(Figure 2).
Control

Sat I KD

RBMX KD

Sororin KD Aurora B KD

Fig. 2. Mitotic chromosome spreads.
Abnormal structure of mitotic sister chromatids in several factors depleted cells.

We identified RBMX as a candidate of Satellite I RNA associating factor. Though RBMX is
known to be the one of pre-mRNA splicing factors, it is not known to be concerned with nuclear
ncRNAs. RBMX is also reported to interact with Wapl, it is regulator of sister chromatid cohesion.
When RBMX was immune-precipitated from mitotic cell nucleus, Satellite I RNA was coprecipitated. In contrast, RNA was not co-precipitated with RBMX from interphase cell nucleus.
RBMX associates with Satellite I RNA only in Mitotic phase. Depletion of RBMX using siRNA
also showed the premature separation of sister chromatids and defects in chromosome segregation
same as in Satellite I RNA knockdown cells. To investigate localization of RBMX, we carriedout separation of cell nucleus to soluble and chromatin fractions. RBMX is normally detected inchromatin fraction. On the other hand, in centromere RNA depleted cell, a part of RBMX removed
from chromatin and was detected in soluble fraction. It revealed that Satellite I RNA recruit RBMX
to chromatin.
In Satellite I RNA depleted cells, kinase activity of Aurora B elevated abnormally. In contrast,
knockdown of Aurora B using siRNA showed attachment of sister chromatids even at chromosome
arms. Not only elevation, but also depletion of Aurora B activity caused abnormal morphology ofsister chromatids. It reveals that proper kinase activity of Aurora B is important for regulation ofsister chromatids structure.
Here, we focused on Sororin, this factor is known to be involved in regulation of Cohesion.
Sorosin depleted cells using siRNA also showed separation of sister chromatid and defects ofchromosome segregation. Sororin is regulated the chromatin binding ability by phosphorylation.
Unphosphorylated form of Sororin can bind chromatin. On the other hand, phosphorylated Sororin
removed from chromatin. Furthermore Sororin is known to be one of targets of Aurora B. Indeed
phosphorylated Sororin disappeared in Aurora B depleted cells. Phpsphorylation of Sororin by
Aurora B causes the removal of Sororin from chromatin. It leads to loss of activity to protect
cohesion. We previously found that kinase activity of Aurora B elevated abnormally in Satellite
I RNA depleted cells. In this time, mitotic sister chromatid separated prematurely. Amounts of- 90 -

unphoshorylated Sororin, it is active to protect cohesion, decreased in Satellite I depleted cells. We
consider that phosphorylated Sororin by Aurora B removed from chromatin and then degraded.

Discussion & Conclusion
We consider that centromere ncRNP complex is involved in chromosome segregation throughthe regulation of mitotic sister chromatids structure. We found that RBMX is one of components
of Satellite I ncRNP. RBMX functions in sister chromatid regulation. We previously founded that
Aurora B, one of key factor of chromosome segregation, associate with Satellite I RNA. Aurora
B also have an important role in regulation of sister chromatids structure. In Satellite I RNA
depleted cells, kinase activity of Aurora B elevate abnormally. It reads abnormal phosphorylationof Sororin and then phosphorylated Sororin lose the ability to protect cohesion. From these results,
we have a model of relationships between centromere RNA and sister chromatids and chromosome
segregation (Figure 3). Aurora B and RBMX associate with centromeric RNA. RNA recruits thesefactors to chromosome. RBMX remove from chromatin in centromere RNA depleted cells. In thistime, Aurora B phosphorylates Sororin abnormally. As a result, both factors lose activity to protect
cohesion. Cohesion removal causes premature separation of sister chromatids. It causes defects inchromosome segregation.

References
1. Involvement of satellite I non-coding RNA on regulation of chromosome segregation.
Ideue T, Cho Y, Nishimura K, Tani T. Genes to Cells. 19: 528-538. (2014).

一般の皆様へ
本研究では、ヒトの細胞分裂において、セントロメアから出て来るノンコーディング RNA が、姉妹染色分体の制御を通して、染色体分離の過程をコントロールする仕組みを明らかにした。セントロメ
ア RNA を破壊した細胞は、染色体分離が異常になるが、これは分裂時における姉妹染色文体の形状異常に原因があることを示した。この RNA には RBMX、Aurora B といった因子が結合し、姉妹
染色文体の制御に関わっているが、RNA の破壊によりそれが不能になることを示した。タンパク質による制御が中心に考えられてきたこれらの機構に RNA が重要な働きをすることを示す知見である。

- 91 -

Research on the molecular mechanism underlying activation ofpurinergic P2Y6 receptors and its application
to the treatment of heart failure
Motohiro Nishida
Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience (National Institute for Physiological Sciences),
National Institutes of Natural Sciencesnishida@nips.ac.jp

Abstract
The role of purinergic P2Y6 receptor in the cardiovascular system is unknown. We here found thatP2Y6R, an inflammation-inducible G protein-coupled receptor, positively regulates Angiotensin(Ang) II-induced hypertension in mice. Deletion of P2Y6R suppresses the Ang II-induced increasein blood pressure as well as vascular remodeling. Ang II type1 receptor (AT1R) and P2Y6R form
stable heterodimers, causing enhancement of vascular hypertrophy triggered by AT1R. Furthermore,
P2Y6R expression is developmentally increased in VSMCs, and upregulated P2Y6R promotes the
AT1R-stimulated hypertrophy. These results suggest that age-related formation of AT1R-P2Y6R
heterodimers raises a probability of hypertension induced by Ang II.
Key words : Purinergic P2Y6 receptor, angiotensin, heterodimerization, hypertension

Introduction
Hypertension is a major risk factor of various diseases. Angiotensin II (Ang II), a major bioproductof renin-angiotensin system, primarily functions as a physiological regulator of blood pressure
and cardiovascular homeostasis, while it plays a key role in the pathogenesis of hypertension.
Interestingly, it has been reported that hyperplastic effects of Ang II are observed in newborn andneointimal but not adult VSMCs, and the responsiveness of artery to Ang II is reportedly different
depending on the age in rats. However, how VSMCs determine the responsiveness to Ang II under
different developmental and region-specific conditions is mostly unclear.

Results
1. P2Y6R deletion attenuates Ang II-induced vascular remodeling in mice.
The Ang II-induced chronic increase in blood pressure, vascular remodeling including increase inmedial cross-sectional area and fibrosis, generation of a major membrane lipid peroxidation product(4-hydroxy-2-nonenal), and were significantly suppressed in P2Y6R-deficient mice compared withwild type mice.
2. Ang II-induced vascular contraction is reduced in P2Y6R-deficient mice.
Isolated abdominal aortic rings were examined for ex vivo vascular functions. Treatment with
UDP, an endothelium-dependent relaxation factor, induced vascular relaxation in a concentration- 92 -

dependent manner, and chronic Ang II treatment inhibited UDP-evoked relaxation. The aorta from
P2Y6R-deficient mice showed showed a significant recovery from Ang II-induced impairment ofrelaxation. Moreover, Ang II-induced contraction in the aortic vessel was significantly lower in
P2Y6R-deficient compared to wld type mice, suggesting that AT1R-stimulated signaling per se isreduced in P2Y6R-deficient mice.
3. P2Y6R participates in Ang II-induced hypertrophic growth of VSMCs.
Although AT1R mRNA expression level were not significantly different between P2Y6R-deficientand wild type vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the intracellular Ca2+ response induced by
P2Y6R specific agonist completely disappeared in P2Y6R-deficient VSMCs. The Ang II-induced
cellular hypertrophy was also suppressed in P2Y6R-deficient VSMCs. Furthermore, retroviral
expression of P2Y6R-IRES-GFP into P2Y6R-deficient VSMCs remarkably increased Ca2+ responsecompared to IRES-GFP-expressing P2Y6R-deficient VSMCs. These results suggest that P2Y6R
positively regulates Ang II-induced cellular responses in VSMCs.
4. P2Y6R forms heterodimer with AT1R.
We applied bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay to determine whether P2Y6R
forms heterodimer with AT1R. Cells were transfected with different ratios of AT1R-Rluc (donor) andP2Y6R-YFP (acceptor) or YFP as a negative control. The saturation in BRET signal was observedin cells expressing AT1R-Rluc and P2Y6R-YFP but not YFP control. Moreover, overexpressionof FLAG-P2Y6R as a competitor inhibited BRET signaling between AT1R-Rluc and P2Y6R-YFP
in a concentration dependent manner, suggesting specific interaction between P2Y6R and AT1R.
Co-immunoprecipitation of Myc-P2Y6R with FLAG-AT1R was also observed in HEK293 cells.
Additionally, FLAG-P2Y6R and Myc-P2Y6R were mostly co-localized at plasma membrane. These
results indicate that P2Y6R forms heterodimer with AT1R at plasma membrane.
5. Disruption of AT1R-P2Y6R heterodimer by MRS2578 inhibits Ang II-induced hypertension.
MRS2578 is a non-competitive P2Y6R selective antagonist. VSMCs transiently transfected with
FLAG-AT1R and myc-P2Y6R were treated with MRS2578. Co-immunoprecipitation of myc-P2Y6R
with FLAG-AT1R was impaired in a concentration dependent manner. BRET signal between AT1RRluc and P2Y6R-YFP was also reduced by MRS2578 treatment, indicating MRS2578 binding to
P2Y6R inhibits the heterodimer formation of AT1R-P2Y6R. The Ang II-induced ROS generation
was suppressed by the pretreatment with MRS2578 in cultured VSMCs. Chronic treatment of micewith MRS2578 had no impact on normal blood pressure compared with that in vehicle-treated mice,
whereas MRS2578 significantly inhibited the Ang II-induced sustained increase in blood pressure.
These results suggest that heterodimer formation of AT1R and P2Y6R participates in Ang IImediated vascular hypertrophy in vivo and the pharmacological disruption of heterodimer underlies
suppression of Ang II-induced hypertension by MRS2578.
6. Developmentally upregulated P2Y6R converts Ang II-induced response of VSMCs.
It has been reported that Ang II shows different cellular responses in neonatal and adult VSMCs.
We asked whether age-dependent changes of P2Y6R expression levels determines the phenotype- 93 -

of VSMCs induced by Ang II. VSMCs were isolated from E17, P1 and P30 rats, and expression
levels of AT1R and P2Y6R mRNA were quantified by q-PCR. P2Y6R mRNA was increased in P30
VSMCs. Consistent with this, ERK activation induced by P2Y6R specific agonist 3-phenacyl UDP
was strongly observed in P30 VSMCs compared with P1 VSMCs, indicating that P2Y6R expression
is developmentally increased in VSMCs. We compared signaling pathways triggered by Ang II indifferentially isolated VSMCs. Consistent with the constant expression of AT1R mRNA, Ang IIinduced ERK activation is almost same among these VSMCs.
P2Y6R

P2Y6R
expression

Gαβ

Ang II

Ang II

AT1R

AT1R

γ

P2Y6R

Gα

βArresnβγDesensizaon

Figure.
Schema for development-dependent
convertion of Ang
II-induced hypertensive siganlinginVSMCs via P2Y6R
upregulation.

Internalizaon
Vascular remodeling䞉Hypertrophy䞉Differenaon

Discussion & Conclusion
We newly found that MRS2578 which is characterized as a P2Y6R specific antagonist, disrupts theinteraction of AT1R and P2Y6R, and infusion of MRS2578 reduces Ang II-induced hypertension
in mice. This experimental evidence suggests that AT1R-P2Y6R heterodimerization could be apotential therapeutic target for hypertension. Although angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
and angiotensin receptor blockers are widely used in the treatment of hypertension, it has beenreported to increase the risk for congenital anomalies in infants if women take these medicine during
pregnancy. Genetic mutations in gene encoding renin-angiotensin system have been identified frompatients having renal tubular dysgenesis. Additionally, mice lacking renin-angiotensin system genes
causes abnormality of renal development, whereas P2Y6R knockout mice shows normal kidneydevelopment. Therefore, compound disrupting AT1R-P2Y6R heterodimer might be attractive as
drug candidates for hypertension without abnormality of kidney development.

References
1. M. Nishida, Y. Sato, A. Uemura, Y. Narita, H. Tozaki-Saitoh, M. Nakaya, T. Ide, K. Suzuki, K.
Inoue, T. Nagao, H. Kurose, P2Y6 receptor-Galpha12/13 signalling in cardiomyocytes triggers
pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis., EMBO J. 27, 3104–3115 (2008).
2. A. Nishimura, C. Sunggip, T. Shimauchi, T. Numaga-Tomita, H. Tozaki-Saitoh, K. Hirano,T.
Ide, J-M Boeynaems, M. Tsuda, B. Robaye, K. Inoue, M. Nishida, Developmentally upregulated
P2Y6 receptor promotes angiotensin II-induced hypertension via heterodimerization with AT1
receptor., Sci Signal (revised).

- 94 -

一般の皆様へ
アンジオテンシン II（Ang II）は高血圧の原因物質として注目されているが、そもそも発生時における血管の新生や成熟にも深く関わる重要な生理的活性物質である。私たちは、プリン作動性 P2Y6受容体という炎症誘導性の受容体が加齢に伴って発現増加することで Ang II 受容体とヘテロ２量体を形成し、Ang II による高血圧発症のリスクを増大させる要因となる可能性を新たに見出した。P2Y6受容体阻害化合物である MRS2578 が Ang II 受容体と P2Y6 受容体との相互作用を軽減し、Ang II
誘発性高血圧を軽減したことから、P2Y6 受容体を標的とする薬が副作用の少ない新たな高血圧治療薬となる可能性が期待される。

- 95 -

Potential of mesenchymal stem cell as drug target
Takeshi Takarada
Kanazawa University Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences
takarada@p.kanazawa-u.ac.jp

Abstract
Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2) is an essential transcriptional regulator in skeletal
ossification and its haploinsufficiency leads to Cleidocranial dysplasia. However, the cellular origin
and essential period for Runx2 during its fate into the osteoblast remain poorly understood. Genetic
and immunological analysis revealed that Prx1 is the determinant of intramembranous ossification
and Prx1+/Sca1+ cells exhibited the characteristics of mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSPCs)
among heterogeneous Prx1+ populations in calvaria. Furthermore, Runx2 in Osterix+/Prx1-/Sca1osteoblast precursors were also essential for skeletogenesis in intramembranous ossification. Thus,
this study revealed the Prx1+ cell fate essential for Runx2-mediated intramembranous ossificationand confirmed the critical differentiation period of Runx2 for skeletogenesis.
Key words : Runx2; paired related homeobox 1 (Prx1); Stem cell antigen 1 (Sca1)

Introduction
Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2), a cell-specific member of the Runt family oftranscription factors, plays a critical role in cellular differentiation processes in osteoblasts
from mesenchymal stem cells. Genetically modified mouse model including global Runx2
deletion (Runx2-/-) mice clearly demonstrated that Runx2 is necessary to skeletal development inintramembranous ossification. Recent our genetic study using the conditional knockout mice lacking
exon 4 of the Runx2 gene clearly revealed that the osteoblastic deletion of Runx2 by α1(I)-collagenCre driver displayed normal skeletal phenotypes in both endochondral and intramembranous boneformation (Takarada et al. 2013). However, no existing work has defined what types of cell drives
Runx2-mediated osteoblastogenesis.

Results
Prx1 is known to be expressed in a variety of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells at developmental
stages in limb bad and craniofacial mesenchyme. By contrast, an intermediate filament protein
Nestin, which was first reported as a marker for neuroectoderm progenitors, is recently identified
as one of the MSC marker in mouse and human. In order to exclusively delete the Runx2 gene ineither Prx1-positive (Prx1+) cells or Nestin-positive (Nestin+) cells, Runx2 conditional knockout
mice lacking exon 4 of the Runx2 gene (Runx2flox/+) were crossed with either Prx1-Cre that express
Cre recombinase under the control of the 2.4 kb Prx1 promoter or Nestin-Cre transgenic mice that
express Cre recombinase under control of the 5.8-kb promoter and the 1.8-kb second intron of the
Nestin gene.

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When Nestin-Cre;Runx2f lox/+ mice were crossed with Runx2f lox/f lox mice, Nestin-Cre;Runx2f lox/
flox

(Runx2nestin-/-) mice were obtained according to the Mendelian ratio at 2 weeks old. Although

Prx1-Cre;Runx2flox/flox (Runx2prx1-/-) embryos were alive at E18.5, however, Runx2prx1-/- mice died atbirth due to the difficulty of breathing. Perinatal lethality of Runx2prx1-/- mice was almost similar
to that seen in Runx2-/- mice and Runx2col(II)-/- mice. Alizarin and Alcian blue staining of skeletal
preparations was performed in E18.5 embryos in Runx2prx1-/- and Runx2nestin-/- mice. At this stage,
Runx2prx1-/- mice showed no patterning defects as observed by Alcian blue staining. However, thesevere mineralization defects were observed in calvaria, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia,
fibula and sternum, and the clavicles were extremely hypoplastic in Runx2prx1-/- mice. In contrast
to the skeletal phenotypes of Runx2col(II)-/- mice, importantly, Runx2prx1-/- mice lacked the bone,which are formed not only through an endochondral ossification, but through an intramembranous
ossification. On the other hand, Runx2nestin-/- mice generated with this specific Cre driver showednormal skeletal development based on this assay. Mouse genetic studies clearly revealed that Prx1+
cells are key determinant for intramembranous ossification steps driven by Runx2.
To search for the specific molecules that classify the heterogeneous Prx1+ cells according to
its differentiation stages of intramembranous ossification step, Prx1+ cells were isolated fromcollagenase-treated calvaria of Prx1-GFP+ mice at P1, and then analyzed by flow cytometry withthe various conventional MSC surface makers. These flow cytometric analysis clearly showed thatcalvarial Prx1+Sca1+ cells are more homogeneous populations than Prx1+Sca1- cells in terms of theexpression profiles of conventional MSC surface markers.
To assess the self-renewing and multilineage differentiation capacity in calvarial Prx1+Sca1+ or
Prx1+Sca1- cells, we isolated each cell populations from calvaria in Prx1-GFP+ mice by cell sorter,and then performed several in vitro assays to determine its cellular characteristics. CFU-F assay
using the sorted stromal cells (CD45-Ter119- CD31-) in calvaria in Prx1-GFP+ mice revealed thatcolony formation was highly observed in Prx1+Sca1+ cells with a frequency of 6%, compared in
Prx1+Sca1- cells with a frequency of 0.1%. Furthermore, the in vitro potential for mesenchymal
lineage differentiation was investigated. Prx1+Sca1+ or Prx1+Sca1- cells were sorted among
total CD45 -Ter119 - CD31- stromal cells in calvaria in Prx1-GFP+ mice, followed by culture inmaintenance media used in CFU-F assay for 7-10 days, and then grown in each differentiation
media for additional 20 days. Prx1+Sca1+ cells differentiated robustly into osteoblast and adipocyte
demonstrated by ALP staining and Oil red O staining, respectively. In contrast, Prx1+Sca1- cells did
not undergo the adipogenic differentiation, but underwent osteoblastic differentiation.

Discussion & Conclusion
Therefore, multipotent and self-renewing cells among the Prx1+ cells were present in Prx1+Sca1+
subsets, but not in Prx1+Sca1-, in calvaria. Collectively, these results thus support the idea that
Prx1+Sca1+ cells are more primitive than Prx1+Sca1- cells among the heterogeneous Prx1+ cells
during the osteoblast differentiation in calvaria. Thus, this study revealed the Prx1+ cell fate essential
for Runx2-mediated intramembranous ossification for skeletogenesis.

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References
1. Takarada T, Hinoi E, Nakazato R, Ochi H, Xu C, Tsuchikane A, Takeda S, Karsenty G, Abe
T, Kiyonari H et al. 2013. An analysis of skeletal development in osteoblast-specific andchondrocyte-specific runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2) knockout mice. J. Bone Miner.
Res. 28: 2064-2069.

一般の皆様へ
間葉系幹細胞 (MSC) は、自己複製能と間葉系細胞への多分化能を有する幹細胞です。同幹細胞に由来する骨芽細胞は、骨密度恒常性の維持を担うとともに、骨粗鬆症をはじめとする骨代謝性疾
患の病態発症に関与します。また、脂肪細胞は脂肪組織を構成し、肥満や糖尿病等の生活習慣病と密接に関連しています。この研究で注目する Runx2 は、MSC から骨芽細胞への唯一無二の必須
転写制御因子です。我々が開発した Runx2flox マウスを使用して、「個体レベル」での MSC に発現する Runx2 の役割や、Runx2 による MSC の動態制御機構（どんなときに増殖し、分化するのか？）を分子レベルで明らかとすることは、従来分かっていなかった個体レベルでの MSC の実態解明につながることが期待できると考えました。私は、Runx2flox マウスと各細胞種特異的な Cre ラインを使用することで、骨芽細胞分化系譜において Runx2 は、Prx1+Sca1+ 共陽性 MSC から、それに由来す
る Osterix 陽性骨芽細胞前駆細胞の段階において機能的に重要であることを明らかとしました。本研
究成果を通じて、生物学的特徴づけされた MSC の生理的・病態生理的重要性を明らかとし、私が長年培ってきた MSC の Runx2 機能制御に関する研究成果を、本研究課題により得られた研究成果にフィードバックさせることで、新規概念に基づいた MSC 創薬・MSC 再生医療を展開していくことが目標です。

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Molecular mechanism of cell extrusion,a unique mode of cell death in epithelia
Kohki Kawane
Kyoto Sangyo University
kawane@cc.kyoto-su.ac.jp

Abstract
We started the project to decipher the molecular mechanism of cell extrusion, a fundamental
mode of cell death in epithelia by using mouse intestinal organ culture (organoid or mini-gut) andDrosophila adult midgut. I describe the establishment or progress in the preparation of some novel
experimental system (A and B) with some data regarding the mechanism of cell extrusion (B andC), which are achieved during this year.
A. We have done the optimization of a novel RNAi screening system in Drosophila to identify
involving genes in cell extrusion.
B. We established a live imaging system by using mouse organoid and found that the cells aredelaminated as they are alive.
C. The inhibition experiment of stem cell proliferation in Drosophila midgut suggested that the cell
extrusion during intestinal turnover is affected by cell aging rather than overcrowding,
Key words : Cell Death, Intestine, Gut, Epithelium, Cell Extrusion

Introduction
The homeostasis in gut is maintained by the balance of proliferation and death of epithelial
cells with the preservation of barrier function of epithelia. The impairment of them can cause
various diseases such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, and infection in gut. We focus on the cell
death event of epithelial cells to understand its function for gut homeostasis. Our final goal is thecontribution to understand the diseases in epithelial tissues including gut and the development ofnovel treatments against them. However for this purpose our knowledge about the mechanism of cell
extrusion is poor. Based on this background this project aims to decipher the molecular mechanismof cell extrusion. I describe the progress of the project in the document.

Results
To decipher the molecular mechanism of cell extrusion we have three (A-C) complementarystrategies by using two model systems, mouse intestinal organoid and Drosophila midgut. I describe
the progress and situation for each.
A. Live imaging analysis to decipher the molecular dynamics during cell extrusion by using
mouse intestinal organoid
Organoid is recently established organ culture system, which recapitulate 3-dimendional structure- 99 -

of tissue for instance villi and crypts structure in the case of small intestine. The organoid is mainly
used for stem cell research such as the aspect of cell proliferation or differentiation. We utilize
this system for the analysis of live imaging of cell extrusion. We succeeded in the observationof cell extrusion process by time lapse imaging of organoid. The extrusion process takes around30 minutes. Then we showed the cells are extruding without caspase activation, a representative
marker of apoptosis and then finally turn to be positive for the activation, thus die (Fig 1). Actin
staining revealed a specific cytoskeletal structure around the extruding cells. These results suggestthat the cells are extruding as they are still alive and the extrusion process is accompanied withany cytoskeletal rearrangement in either extruding cells or their surrounding cells. We are about
to prepare live imaging analysis of actin dynamics by using actin-probe (a fusion protein with afluorescent protein) expressing organoid.

㻲㼕㼓㻚㻌㻝㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌㻌 㻌 㻌
B. RNAi screening to indentify involving genes in cell extrusion
We recently established a novel screening system in Drosophila (Twin clone coupled RNAi). We
applied the system to adult midgut epithelia for seeking the critical genes required for cell extrusion.
In this method twin cell clones derived from a cell division of a parental cell are marked with GFPand RFP respectively and RNAi is induced in one of the twin clone. We optimized the experimental
conditions such as timing and duration of heat shock (clones appear as a result of inter-chromosomal
recombination driven by heat shock-inducing flippase expression), and verified that the system
works well in adult midgut.
In addition to twin clone system we tried to establish quantitative analysis system of cell extrusion,
which can be finally used for screening. (1) We found actin enriched structure that might represent
cell extrusion in Drosophila midgut. Although some confirmation is still needed, it can be used asa quantitative system, which allows us gene over expression and/or RNAi experiments to examine
their effect on cell extrusion. (2) We also tried to establish a quantitative system on mouse organoid.
We designed a system, in which at first cells express GFP and then change the expression to RFP
after the drug (tamoxifen) treatment. We can quantify the number of extruded cells after the drug

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treatment by counting RFP positive cells detached from cell layer (located in the lumen of organoid).
We are on the way to establish such organoid by using viral vector.
C. Mechanism of trigger for cell extrusion in intestinal epithelia
Recently some articles reported that cell overcrowding or density can cause cell extrusion in
Drosophila notum epithelia and mammalian cultured cell line. On the other hand it is describedthat mammalian intestinal epithelial cells turnover within several days in text books, which implies
the cell extrusion is caused by cellular senescence or aging. We examined which is true in thecase of turnover of intestinal epithelia. CyclinE, a critical regulator for cell cycle progression thus
cell proliferation, was down-regulated by RNAi specifically in Drosophila adult midgut stem
cells. It caused the decreased number of cells and small midgut (Fig 2). This result suggests thatthe cell extrusion occurs not due to overcrowding but cellular aging or any temporal alteration.
This implies that the comparison experiment between young cells and old cells could identify any
molecular alteration that triggers cell extrusion in intestinal epithelia. We are preparing this further
experiment.

Discussion & Conclusion
Next step we will perform both candidate approach and non-biased screening by using “Twin clone
coupled RNAi system” or alternative screening strategy that we are preparing. The identificationof involving genes in cell extrusion will contribute to understand gut homeostasis as well as a new
aspect of cell death. Live imaging by using organoid culture, which is set up for the analysis of cell
extrusion will bring a precise view and key aspect of molecular dynamics underlying cell extrusion.
Based on the result that suggests the possible involvement of cell senescence in cell extrusion wewill perform omics analysis to indentify the critical factors for cell extrusion by the comparison
between young and old cells. Complementary combination of these approaches with the utilizationof two model animals increases the possibility of success of our research aim, the understandingof molecular mechanism of cell extrusion in intestine. For homeostasis in epithelial tissue it isimportant that cell death is tightly regulated and executed with precise mechanisms. The insightobtained from our research will make a break through in this field and contribute to novel treatment
for such diseases resulting from the impaired cell extrusion.

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References
1 Sato, T., Vries, R.G., Snippert, H.J., van de Wetering, M., Barker, N., Stange, D.E., van Es, J.H.,
Abo, A., Kujala, P., Peters, P.J., et al. (2009). Single Lgr5 stem cells build crypt–villus structuresin vitro without a mesenchymal niche. Nature 459, 262–265.
2 Marinari, E., Mehonic, A., Curran, S., Gale, J., Duke, T., and Baum, B. (2012). Live-celldelamination counterbalances epithelial growth to limit tissue overcrowding. Nature 484, 542–
545.
3 Eisenhoffer, G.T., Loftus, P.D., Yoshigi, M., Otsuna, H., Chien, C.-B., Morcos, P.A., andRosenblatt, J. (2012). Crowding induces live cell extrusion to maintain homeostatic cell numbers
in epithelia. Nature 484, 546–549.

一般の皆様へ
腸管は食物の消化・吸収を担うだけでなく、代謝、免疫など生体全体の恒常性や個体の寿命にも重要な役割を果たしていることが近年明らかになりつつあります。すなわち腸管の恒常性の破綻は、腸管での炎症、感染、癌などをひきおこすのみならず全身性の代謝疾患、肥満、他臓器における癌などにも関与することが報告されています。これを踏まえ本研究は、腸管の恒常性の理解を目的とし、この問題に、腸管上皮のターンオーバーにおける細胞死 ( 細胞脱落 ) という独自の視点から迫ります。
上皮細胞は、組織から剥離、離脱してその生涯を閉じます。この過程で細胞は、隣接細胞によって組織外へ押し出され殺されます。この未解明の終焉様式の分子機構を明らかにし、その破綻との関連が予想される各種疾患の治療法開発へ新たな一面から道を拓くことを目指しています。

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Elucidation of the novel signal networkthat regulates trafficking of secretory lysosomes
Yoshinori Fukui
Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University
fukui@bioreg.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Abstract
We found that mice lacking DOCK5, an atypical guanine exchange factor (GEF) for Rac, exhibit
resistance to systemic and cutaneous anaphylaxis, owing to a defect in FcεRI-mediated mast cell
degranulation. Although the Rac GEF activity of DOCK5 was not required for degranulation,
DOCK5 associated with Nck2 and Akt to regulate microtubule dynamics through phosphorylationand inactivation of GSK3β. When this interaction was blocked, degranulation was severely
impaired. Our findings thus indicate that DOCK5 functions as an adaptor and regulates mast cell
degranulation by controlling microtubule dynamics.
Key words : Anaphylaxis, degranulation, mast cells

Introduction
Mast cells play a key role in induction of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening IgE-dependent allergic
reaction, by secreting chemical mediators that are stored in secretory lysosomes. Degranulation ofmast cells is triggered by aggregation of the high-affinity IgE receptor FcεR1 and involves dynamic
rearrangement of microtubules. However, the mechanism controlling microtubule dynamics remains
elusive.

Results
We found that FcεRI-mediated mast cell degranulation was severely impaired in the absence of
DOCK5. When wild-type mast cells were stimulated with IgE plus antigen, the intensity of tubulin
staining was enhanced and network formation was detected. However, such microtubule formation
was impaired in Dock5–/– mast cells. Consistent with this finding, the amount of polymeric tubulin
was markedly reduced in Dock5–/– mast cells. These results indicate that DOCK5 controls mastcell degranulation by regulating microtubule dynamics.
To determine the underlying mechanism, we expressed several DOCK5 mutants in Dock5–/– mast
cells. Although DOCK 5 acts as a Rac GEF, the expression of the GEF-dead mutant completely
restored degranulation response. DOCK5 encodes proline-rich sequences at its C-terminus. When
the C-terminal 95 amino acid residues containing the proline rich sequences were deleted from
DOCK5, this mutant failed to rescue the degranulation defect in Dock5–/– mast cells. We foundthat DOCK5 binds to Nck2 through the C-terminal region. Nck2 is an adaptor molecule primarily
comprising three SH3 domains. When tryptophan located in the center of the second SH3 domainof Nck2 was mutated to lysine (designated W148K), the association between DOCK5 and Nck2
was abolished. On the other hand, overexpression of W148K mutant in mast cell line MC/9 severely
impaired FcεRI-mediated degranulation. These results indicate that the association between DOCK5
and Nck2 is important for mast cell degranulation.

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GSK3β is a serine/threonine kinase that negatively regulates microtubule dynamics. In resting
cells, GSK3β phosphorylates many microtubule-binding proteins, and inhibits their ability tointeract with microtubules and to promote microtubule assembly. This inhibitory effect is relieved
when GSK3β is phosphorylated at serine residue of position 9 (Ser9) by other kinases such as Akt,RSK and S6K. We found that DOCK5 forms a novel signalosome with Akt, Nck2 and GSK3β.
When wild-type mast cells were stimulated with IgE and antigen, GSK3β was phosphorylated at
Ser9. However, FcεRI-mediated GSK3β phosphorylation was severely impaired in Dock5–/– mast
cells. Thus, DOCK5 associates with Nck2 and Akt to regulate mast cell degranulation throughphosphorylation and inactivation of GSK3β.

Discussion & Conclusion
Here we have identified DOCK5 as a critical regulator of microtubule dynamics during mastcell degranulation. Although previous studies have indicated that Fyn-Gab2-PI3K pathway plays
a key role in translocation of secretory lysosomes, downstream targets of PI3K activation remain
to be determined. One of such targets would be GSK3β, because treatment of wild-type mast cellswith the PI3K inhibitor suppressed FcεRI-mediated GSK3β phosphorylation at Ser9. Since FcεRImediated Gab2 phosphorylation and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 production were unchanged between wild-type
and Dock5–/– mast cells, it is clear that Fyn-Gab2-PI3K pathway normally operates in the absenceof DOCK5. Nonetheless, FcεRI-mediated GSK3β phosphorylation was severely impaired in Dock5–/– mast cells. Our findings indicate that DOCK5 acts as a signaling hub that links FcεRI signals to
microtubule dynamics for mast cell degranulation. As Dock5–/– mice exhibit resistance to systemic
and cutaneous anaphylaxis without showing any fetal defects, DOCK5 may be a novel therapeutictarget for controlling IgE-dependent type I allergic responses.

References
1. Ogawa K, Tanaka Y, Uruno T, Duan X, Harada Y, Sanematsu F, Yamamura K, Terasawa M,
Nishikimi A, Côté JF, Fukui Y:
DOCK5 functions as a key signaling adaptor that links FceRI signals to microtubule dynamics
during mast cell degranulation. J. Exp. Med. 211: 1407-1419, 2014

一般の皆様へ
マスト細胞は、アレルギー反応を引き起こす IgE 抗体の受容体である FcεRI を発現しており、抗原と IgE 抗体が結合すると、細胞内の分泌顆粒が細胞表面へ輸送され、顆粒の中に含まれるヒスタミンなどの化学物質が放出されます。本研究で私達は、マスト細胞に発現している DOCK5 というタンパク質に注目し、そのアレルギー反応における役割を解析しました。DOCK5 が発現できないように遺伝子操作したマウスでは、マスト細胞の脱顆粒反応が障害されており、その結果アレルギー反応が著しく抑制されることを見いだしました。さらに DOCK5 が脱顆粒反応を制御するメカニズムを詳しく調べたところ、従来知られていた働きとは異なる機序で DOCK5 が作用し、微小管の動きをコ
ントロールすることで、脱顆粒反応を制御していることを突き止めました。現在、アレルギー疾患の治療薬としてヒスタミンの働きを抑える薬剤が使われていますが、DOCK5 はヒスタミンの放出そのものに関わっているため、アレルギー反応を根元から断つための新たな創薬標的になることが期待されます。

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Genetic analyses of regulatory network of pluripotency
in embryonic stem cells
Kyoji Horie
Nara Medical University
k-horie@naramed-u.ac.jp

Abstract
Pluripotency of ES/iPS cells is regulated by intricate networks of various biological pathways. We
developed a genetic approach to disrupt functions of two genes in various combinations in mouse
ES cells. This approach of combinatorial gene disruption will help elucidate novel gene networks
regulating pluripotency of ES/iPS cells.
Key words : embryonic stem cells, pluripotency, gene, mutation

Introduction
Understanding the regulatory mechanism of the pluripotency of ES/iPS cells is important toaccelerate regenerative medicine. Pluripotency is regulated by intricate networks of various
biological pathways. We have generated a large number of homozygous mutant mouse ES cells inwhich the effect of mutation of a given gene can be readily analyzed. In the present study, we will
inhibit various biological pathways in these mutant ES cells in order to reveal synthetic effect ofgene mutations. We aim to elucidate the gene networks regulating ES cell pluripotency through thephenotypes manifested by this combinatorial gene disruption.

Results
To demonstrate the proof of principle of our approach, we tried to identify mouse mutant ES cells
that are resistant to the effect of PI3 kinase inhibitor (PI3Ki) or Jak inhibitor (Jaki). Both PI3K and
Jak were reported to be a key signaling molecule downstream of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF).
Furthermore, both PI3K and Jak have been reported to activate core pluripotency transcription
factors such as Oct3/4, Nanog, Klf4 and Tbx3. Both PI3Ki and Jaki downregulate some of these corepluripotency factors. Therefore, mutations that confer resistance to the effect of PI3Ki or Jaki would
provide us with insights on the regulatory network of pluripotency. Although both PI3K and Jak
are downstream of LIF, ES cell phenotypes after treatment with each inhibitor was quite different.
PI3Ki induced extensive cell death, whereas Jaki induced differentiation of ES cells. We tried todetermine optimal concentrations of inhibitors under which proliferation of wild-type ES cells
are substantially suppressed. We could determine such conditions in PI3Ki. In contrast, optimal
condition for Jaki was difficult to determine because of the extensive heterogeneity of differentiation
phenotype between individual cells. Therefore, PI3Ki was used in the following experiments.
We generated a large number of mutant ES cells by two independent methods. One is the randommutagenesis using gene trap vectors followed by biallelic mutagenesis induced by conditional- 105 -

down-regulation of Bloom syndrome gene (ref 1). We already generated 200 homozygous mousemutant ES cell lines and are ready for phenotype analyses. Another method is CRISPR guideRNA(gRNA) library (ref 2). The CRISPR gRNA library contains guide RNA corresponding to virtually
all coding genes of the mouse. Introduction of this library into ES cells results in disruption of all
genes under the assumption that the efficiency of CRISPR system is high enough. In the present
study, we mainly utilized the latter methods because this method would provide high coverage ofgene mutations compared with the former one. It should be noted that the former method has anadvantage over the latter in that all ES cells are already homozygous and phenotypes are readily
manifested although the coverage of the genes is lower than the latter method.
In the gRNA library approach, both Cas9 and gRNA are stably expressed. We first tested theefficiency of mutagenesis under this condition choosing a representative gene as a target. We
generated two gRNA expressing vectors and stably introduced it into ES cells together with Cas9.
Using the Surveyor mutation detection assay, we observed substantial mutation of the target gene.
Although precise quantification of the mutagenesis efficiency was hard to determine, we estimatedthat approximately 5~10% of ES cells could be homozygous. We then conducted large-scale
mutagenesis of ES cells using CRISPR gRNA library. We introduced the library into mouse ES
cells, selected transformed cells by puro-resistance, and established a mutant ES cell pool in which
virtually all mouse genes are presumably mutagenized. We treated mutant ES cells and wild-type
ES cells with PI3Ki, and selected mutant ES cells surviving under PI3Ki. PCR amplification of theguide RNA region followed by next generation sequencing would reveal the gene mutations thatreverted PI3Ki-induced phenotype.

Discussion & Conclusion
We set up an experimental condition to inhibit two genes simultaneously in various combinations
in mouse ES cells. One of the drawbacks of the current study is that the phenotypes of ES cells
needs to be positively selected because we utilized a pool of mutant ES cells generated by CRISPRgRNA library. We have already generated homozygous mutant mouse ES cell lines (ref 1).
Phenotype analyses of each independent homozygous mutant ES cell line would solve this problem.
However, such approach will require rapid and efficient phenotype screening system. For thispurpose, we are trying to set up a high-content screening platform using microtiter plate-based cell
culture assay. Thanks to the advance of genome editing technologies, the resource of various mutant
cells are rapidly expanding. We consider that our approach of simultaneous disruption of multiple
gene function will open a new avenue in biological network analyses in mammalian cells.

References
1. Horie K et al. A homozygous mutant embryonic stem cell bank applicable for phenotype-driven
genetic screening. Nat Methods 8: 1071-7, 2011.
2. Koike-Yusa H et al. Genome-wide recessive genetic screening in mammalian cells with alentiviral CRISPR-guide RNA library. Nat Biotechnol. 32: 267-73, 2014.

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一般の皆様へ
ES/iPS 細胞は、再生医療への応用が期待されていますが、安全かつ有効な応用を達成するには、多能性に関する基礎的理解を深める必要があります。細胞の多能性は、様々な遺伝子が相互作用することで成り立っています。近年、ES/iPS 細胞の遺伝子を改変する技術が進展し、個々の遺伝子機能については膨大な知見が蓄積しつつありますが、複数の遺伝子の相互作用を解析する技術は立ち遅れています。私どもは本研究で、遺伝子の相互作用を解析する手法の開発に取り組みました。この手法をもとにして、今後は、再生医療へ貢献できる研究を展開したいと考えています。

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Analysis of the centrosome-independent assembly offemale meiotic spindles
Asako SUGIMOTO
Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University
asugimoto@m.tohoku.ac.jp

Abstract
In many animals, female meiotic spindles are assembled in the absence of centrosomes, the major
microtubule organizing center. How meiotic spindles are formed in a manner independent ofcentrosomes is poorly understood. We found by gene knock-down experiments in the nematode C.
elegans that Aurora A kinase (AIR-1) is essential for the formation of female meiotic spindles. The
kinase-active form of AIR-1 localized on chromosomes at meiotic prometaphase and on MTs duringlate anaphase and telophase. Our results suggest that AIR-1 is required for the assembly and/or
stabilization of MTs in multiple stages of female meiotic spindle formation.
Key words : Meiosis, Microtubule, Spindle, Aurora A, C. elegans

Introduction
In female meiosis, two rounds of highly asymmetric meiotic divisions produce a single haploid
gamete that inherits the majority of cytoplasm, with excluded polar bodies. In contrast to mitotic
spindles, which consist of microtubules (MTs) formed mainly at centrosomes, female meiotic
spindles in many animals are assembled in the absence of centrosomes that are eliminatedduring oogenesis. How the MTs that comprise female meiotic spindles are assembled is not wellunderstood.

Results
To examine the functional requirement of Aurora A (AIR-1) in C. elegans female meiosis, weobserved the MT behaviors during female meiosis in live air-1(RNAi) meiotic embryos. In theseembryos, while MTs were formed in the nucleus as in the control, defects in meiotic spindle
assembly were observed. The nuclear MTs formed sphere-like structures around chromosomes,
which soon shrunk without forming bipolar spindles. These observations indicate that, in contrast
to mitosis in C. elegans early embryos (Toya et al., 2011), AIR-1 is dispensable for the formation of
MTs around chromosomes in female meiosis, but required to maintain these MTs.
Next, we examined the requirement of the kinase activity of AIR-1 for the assembly of meiotic
spindles, using the strain that expresses a kinase-inactive form of AIR-1 (AIR-1K73RT201A) from an
RNAi-resistant transgene. In the embryos that express only AIR-1K73RT201A (the endogenous wild-type
AIR-1 in this strain was depleted by RNAi), meiotic spindle defects were indistinguishable fromthose in embryos that lacked both endogenous AIR-1 and AIR-1K73RT201A. Thus, the kinase activityof AIR-1 is required for the MT maintenance around chromosomes during meiotic prometaphase/
metaphase.

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In anaphase of female meiosis, concomitantly with the shortening of the bipolar spindle structure,inter-chromosomal MTs are formed between separating chromosomes. We next examined whether
AIR-1 is involved in the assembly of inter-chromosomal MTs by RNAi knock-down experiments.
After the disassembly of MT spheres in air-1(RNAi) meiotic embryos, the inter-chromosomal MTs
were not formed or were defective . Furthermore, in embryos expressing a kinase-inactive form of
AIR-1 (AIR-1K73RT201A) in the absence of endogenous AIR-1, inter-chromosomal MTs failed to form
or were defective, suggesting that the AIR-1 kinase activity is required for the assembly of interchromosomal MTs.
To investigate at which sites the AIR-1 proteins works during female meiosis, we examined the
localization of AIR-1 using the strain that expresses GFP::AIR-1. At prometaphase, the GFP::AIR-1
signal was detected on the MT sphere, which diminished during metaphase. At anaphase when thespindle was shortening, the GFP::AIR-1 signal on spindles was increased and enriched on spindle
poles. At late anaphase, GFP::AIR-1 became localized on chromosomes and inter-chromosomal
MTs. At telophase as the inter-chromosomal MTs elongated, the GFP::AIR-1 signals on interchromosomal MTs were diminished. Immunostaining with anti-AIR-1 antibody, which detects bothkinase-active- and kinase-inactive AIR-1 proteins (Toya et al., 2011), showed consistent localization
patterns with those with GFP::AIR-1.
Next, to examine when and where the kinase activity of AIR-1 is activated, we compared theabove AIR-1 localization patterns with those of the kinase-inactive form and the kinase-active
form of AIR-1. The localization of the kinase-inactive form of AIR-1 detected by mCherry::AIR1K73RT201A was similar to GFP::AIR-1, except that mCherry::AIR-1K73RT201A was enriched on neither
chromosomes at prometaphase nor the inter-chromosomal MTs at late anaphase. The localization
patterns of the kinase-active form of AIR-1 detected by immunofluorescence with the anti-phosphoAIR-1 antibody (Toya et al., 2011) were complementary to those of the kinase-inactive form of AIR1. At prometaphase, the kinase-active form of AIR-1 enriched on and around chromosomes; from
metaphase to telophase, it was detected in the areas where inter-chromosomal MTs were formed,
and around chromosomes with a lesser extent.
Collectively, our data suggest that, while AIR-1 proteins are localized in the area where meiotic
spindles are formed, their activation occurs at specific sites, especially on and around chromosomesduring prometaphase and between chromosomes in late anaphase. These localization patterns are
consistent with the phenotypes by depletion of the AIR-1 proteins or inhibition of the AIR-1 kinase
activity.

Discussion & Conclusion
In the mitosis of C. elegans early embryos, γ-tubulin-dependent MTs and AIR-1-dependent MTs
coordinately assemble mitotic spindles. The mitotic AIR-1-dependent MTs does not require thekinase activity of AIR-1(Toya et al., 2011). On the other hand, we found in this study that the kinase
activity of AIR-1 is required for the formation or maintenance of two types of female meiotic MTs;

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one is the meiotic spindle MTs at prometa/metaphase, and the other is inter-chromosomal MTs at
ana/telophase. While the kinase-inactive form of AIR-1 was present around the meiotic spindle area,
whether it has distinct functions is unclear from this study. Our results also indicated the presence ofa previously unknown, γ-tubulin- and AIR-1-independent MT assembly mechanism during female
meiosis. Collectively, the mechanisms of MT assembly and subsequent spindle formation differ
considerably between mitosis and female meiosis in C. elegans.

References
1. Toya, M., Terasawa, M., Nagata, K., Iida, Y., and Sugimoto, A. (2011). A kinase-independent role
for Aurora A in the assembly of mitotic spindle microtubules in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos.
Nat Cell Biol 13, 708-714.
2. Sumiyoshi, E., Fukata, Y., Namai, S., and Sugimoto, A. (2015). C. elegans Aurora A kinase isrequired for the formation of spindle microtubules in female meiosis. submitted.

一般の皆様へ
減数分裂は、生殖細胞を作るための特殊な細胞分裂様式ですが、そのしくみについては不明な点が多く残されています。本研究では、線虫 C. elegans をモデル系として、雌の減数分裂期の紡錘体
形成メカニズムについて解析しました。その結果、Aurora A（AIR-1）というタンパク質リン酸化酵素
が、微小管を安定化することにより減数分裂期紡錘体形成に重要な役割を果たしていることを明らかにしました。Aurora A は進化的に保存されていることから、Aurora A が普遍的に減数分裂期紡錘体形成に関与している可能性が考えられます。

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Research on glycoconjugate regulation in stem cell homeostasis
Masashi Toyoda
Research team for geriatric medicine (Vascular Medicine), Tokyo Metropolitan Institute ofGerontology
mtoyoda@tmig.or.jp

Abstract
Glycans have a variety of structural and functional roles during stages of development,
differentiation and cancer. In this study, we investigated glycan changes of the cellular senescenceprocess on human diploid fibroblast using lectin microarray. The α2-3sialylated O-glycan forms
were decreased in cellular senescence process. Moreover, we investigated the glycan profiles of thecells derived from differently aged skins. The profiles of each cell in cellular senescence process
converged on a similar pattern from different profiles. Therefore, glycan profiles may be useful forcharacterization of aging marker.
Key words : Stem cell, fibroblast, glycan profiling, cellular senescence, aging

Introduction
The cell surface is covered with various glycoproteins, which play a crucial role in biological
function. The cell surface dynamics changes of glycosylation regulate cellular function during
development, differentiation and survival. In order to analyze the glycome of cells, lectin
microarrays have been developed; these arrays are an emerging technology that can be applied toultrasensitive detection of multiplex lectin-glycan interactions. Practically, it has been reported thatdevelopment and differentiation of various cells were distinguished with glycan profiles. Therefore,
in this study, we investigated the cell surface glycan changes associated with cellular senescenceprocess and/or human aging of cell source.
Population doubling level (PDL)

Results

27

We investigated glycan profiles during cell growth andsenescence process on fetal-derived fibroblast using
showed the Galβ1-3GalNAc structure of O-glycan oncell surface was increased in the early time of cellularsenescence process. Moreover, the large-antennary
N-glycan form, (Galβ1-4GlcNAc)n and α2-3sialilated
N-glycan were gradually increased.

Lectins

lectin microarray (Fig 1). The lectin microarray data

40

43

50

57

65

77

89

94

EEL
GSL-II
VVA
PWM
SBA
LTL
WFA
BPL
GSL-I A4UEA-I
GSL-I B4MPA
TJA-II
ECA
STL
MAL-I
PHA-L
Calsepa
ACG
SNA
SSA
HPA
PSA
UDA
HHL
AOL
ACA
Jacalin
ConA
AAL
ABA
LCA
TJA-I
GNA
WGA
MAH
RCA120PHA-E
TxLC-I
NPA
LEL
DSA
PTL-I
DBA
PNA

Fig. 1 Heat
map onof lectin
microarrayin fetal-derived fibroblas
Fig. 1 Heat map of lectin microarray in fetal-derived
fibroblast
cell passaging
process.
passaging process.

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Next, to investigate the effect of glycan profiles on human aging, lecitn microarray analysis ofelderly adult-derived fibroblast were performed. The growth of elderly adult-derived cells was
slow and the cells went gradually into cellular senescence. In the process, elderly adult-derived
cells had the changes of glycan profiles, which were different from that of fetal-derived fibroblast.
To examine whether the changes of glycan profiles in cell passage process were correlated withthe effect on human aging, the all lectin microarray data was analyzed statistically (Fig. 2). 24
lectins were observed to distinguish between fetal- and elderly adult-derived cells. PC3 appeared tocorrelate to cellular passaging process in cells. The positions of each PDL on cells in the PC3 axis
were shown the degree of passage-numbers, as represented by the gradual shift from young cells
to aged cells. MAH was plotted in positive direction and WFA was plotted in negative directionof PC3. On the other hand, PC1 was the axis to discriminate between fetal-derived fibroblast andelderly adult-derived fibroblast. The cells derived from fetal were significantly appeared at positive
direction, whereas elderly adult-derived cells were at negative direction in PC1. ACG (Siaα2-3Galβ14GlcNAc-binder) and, SNA and SSA (Siaα2-6Gal-binders) were plotted in positive direction, andPWM {(GlcNAc)n and (Galβ1-4GlcNAc)n-binder} were plotted in negative direction of PC1. These
results suggested that there are mainly the decrease of α2-3sialic acid residues on O-glycan form
with cellular senescence process and that of α2-6sialic acid residues on N- and O-glycan form witheffect on human aging of cell source. Additionally, the glycan profiles of fetal- and elderly adultderived cells at cellular senescence showed similar pattern.

Cellular senescencePC3

elderly

PC3

fetal

40

27

40

40

41 43
46
47

77

43
52

43

ECA
ACG

50

89

49
51

MAH

65

PWM

57
94

SSA SNA
WFA

PC1

PC1

Human aging

Fig. 2 PCA analysis of lectin microarray data for bi-plot. PC1 was the axis to show the effect onhuman aging of cell source and PC3 was the axis to show process on cellular senescence.

Discussion & Conclusion
Senecent cells appeared various phenomena concerned with cellular senescence such as elevatedβ-galactosidase activity, cell hypertrophy and decreased proliferative capacity in vitro. On the other
hand, signature for human aging is appeared with chronological age, such as decline of biological
function in vivo. To understand of human aging for medical treatment and preventive medicine,
we investigated the glycan profile changes concerned with cellular senescence and human aging.

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The glycan profile on cellular senescence process had been significantly changed in both fetal
and elderly-adult fibroblast. Thus it was easy to speculate that cellular senescence process wasconcerned with the change of glycan component of cell surface.

References
1. Kuno A, Uchiyama N, Koseki-Kuno S, Ebe Y, Takashima S, Yamada M & Hirabayashi J (2005)
Evanescent-field fluorescence-assisted lectin microarray: a new strategy for glycan profiling.
Nature methods 2, 851-856.
2. Itakura Y, Kuno A, Toyoda M, Umezawa A & Hirabayashi J (2013) Podocalyxin-Targeting
Comparative Glycan Profiling Reveals Difference between Human Embryonic Stem Cells andEmbryonal Carcinoma Cells. Glycomics & Lipidomics S5, 004
3. Toyoda M, Yamazaki-Inoue M, Itakura Y, Kuno A, Ogawa T, Yamada M, Akutsu H, Takahashi
Y, Kanzaki S, Narimatsu H, et al. (2011) Lectin microarray analysis of pluripotent and multipotent
stem cells. Genes to cells 16, 1-11
4. Itakura Y, Toyoda M et al. N-glycan and O-glycan modification on cell surface proteins with theprocess of cellular senescence and human aging. in preparation.

一般の皆様へ
間葉系幹細胞は再生医療の細胞ソースとして最も臨床研究が進んでいるが、その評価は曖昧である。細胞を増やす過程でおこる細胞老化は、細胞機能に影響し移植後の有効性にも影響してくる。
そこで細胞老化過程を細胞膜上にある糖鎖を使って明示するとともに、加齢に伴う個体老化との相関性について検討した。その結果細胞老化に伴い一定の糖鎖構造が変化していること、またその糖
鎖プロファイが由来する組織年齢に応じた変化を起こすことが示された。幹細胞移植に必要な細胞数を得ることが可能かの判断の指標となるばかりか、移植後の有効性を見極めることが可能となることが示唆された。

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Identification of schizophrenia-like phenotypes bytemporal regulationin calcineurin function in mice
Tsuyoshi MIYAKAWA
Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University
miyakawa@fujita-hu.ac.jp

Abstract
Calcineurin (CN) is known to play significant roles in the central nervous system, and we
previously reported that a forebrain-specific knockout of CN resulted in schizophrenia-related
abnormal behaviors in mice. In the present study, we used tTA/Zaki4 transgenic mice, in which CN
activity can be manipulated by doxycycline (Dox) to examine the effects of CN deficiency during
or after development on schizophrenia-related abnormal behaviors. Some of the abnormal behaviors
that were observed in the CN mutants were not detected in the mice with CN activity suppression
during development. These observations indicated that postdevelopmental CN activity might beinvolved in those abnormal behaviors.
Key words : schizophrenia, model mice, behavior

Introduction
Schizophrenia, which is a severe psychiatric disorder, has a lifetime prevalence of 1%, and theexact mechanisms underlying this disorder remain unknown. Calcineurin (CN), which is a calciumand calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, plays a significant role in the central nervous
system. In our previous study, we showed that mutant mice with a forebrain-specific knockout(KO) of CN exhibited schizophrenia-related abnormal behaviors, such as working memory deficits,
increased locomotor activity, decreased social interaction, and impairments in prepulse inhibition(Zeng et al., Cell, 2001; Miyakawa et al., PNAS, 2003). In the present study, we used tTA/Zaki4transgenic (Tg) mice, in which CN activity can be temporally suppressed by the expression of
Zaki4, which is an endogenous inhibitor of CN (Kingsbury and Cunningham, Genes Dev, 2000),
to examine the effects of CN deficiency during or after development on schizophrenia-related
behaviors.

Results
Generation of tTA/Zaki4 Tg mice
To manipulate CN activity in the brain, tTA/Zaki4 Tg mice were generated by mating alphaCaMKII-tTA mice and tetO-Zaki4 mice. We performed western blot analyses for Zaki4 in order toconfirm that the mutants overexpressed Zaki4 in the hippocampus in the absence of doxycycline(Dox) and that the expression of Zaki4 was suppressed in the presence of Dox.
Behavioral analysis of tTA/Zaki4 Tg mice[Mice overexpressing the endogenous CN inhibitor (Zaki4) throughout their lifetime] We first- 114 -

subjected tTA/Zaki4 Tg mice that were not treated with Dox during their lifetime to a comprehensive
behavioral test battery (Takao and Miyakawa, J Toxicol Sci, 2009) at the age of postnatal day(P) 100. These animals showed schizophrenia-related behavioral abnormalities (detailed data notshown), which confirmed that the behavioral phenotypes of mice overexpressing Zaki4 were similar
to those in CN conditional knockout mice (Miyakawa et al., PNAS 2003).
[Mice overexpressing the CN inhibitor during development] Next, we assessed the effects of the
suppression of CN activity during development on the schizophrenia-related behaviors. In order toinduce Zaki4 overexpression only during the developmental period, tTA/Zaki4 Tg mice were notexposed to Dox before P60.
After P60, the mutants were treated with Dox. We subjected these mice to a comprehensive
behavioral test battery at the age of P100. In the home-cage activity test, we failed to detect someof the abnormal behaviors that were observed in the tTA/Zaki4 Tg mice treated with Dox during
their lifetime (detailed data not shown). Although preliminary, these findings indicated that CN
activity during development was not involved in the behavioral abnormalities that were observed inmice overexpressing Zaki4 throughout their lifetime and forebrain-specific CN KO mice. Further
behavioral tests are being performed to determine the other behavioral phenotypes.
[Mice overexpressing the CN inhibitor after development] We are planning to assess mice thatoverexpress Zaki4 after the developmental period. tTA/Zaki4 Tg mice that will be treated with Dox
before P60 will be subjected to a behavioral test battery.

Discussion & Conclusion
The present study demonstrated that the suppression of CN activity in the hippocampus throughout
life resulted in schizophrenia-related abnormal behaviors in mice. Some of these abnormal
behaviors were not observed in mice in which CN activity was suppressed during development(detailed data not shown), which suggested that CN activity during development might not be
crucial for these abnormal behaviors. Further studies are needed to determine the precise molecularmechanisms through which reduced CN activity during specific developmental period(s) results inschizophrenia-related abnormal behaviors in mice.

References
1. Kingsbury TJ, Cunningham KW. A conserved family of calcineurin regulators. Genes Dev, 2000,
14(13):1595-1604.
2. Miyakawa T, Leiter LM, Gerber DJ, Gainetdinov RR, Sotnikova TD, Zeng H, Caron MG,
Tonegawa S. Conditional calcineurin knockout mice exhibit multiple abnormal behaviors related
to schizophrenia. PNAS, 2003, 100(15):8987-8992.
3. Takao K, Miyakawa T, Intrauterine environment-genome interaction and children’s development(4): Brain-behavior phenotyping of genetically-engineered mice using a comprehensive
behavioral test battery on research of neuropsychiatric disorders. The J Toxicol Sci, 2009, 34
Sup2:SP293-305
4. Zeng H, Chattarji S, Barbarosie M, Rondi-Reig L, Philpot BD, Miyakawa T, Bear MF, Tonegawa
S. Forebrain-specific calcineurin knockout selectively impairs bidirectional synaptic plasticity
and working/episodic-like memory. Cell. 2001, 107(5):617-629.

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一般の皆様へ統合失調症は、遺伝的・環境的要因が関与する多因子疾患と考えられていますが、その病因は未だに明らかにされていません。これまでに我々は、カルシニューリン（CN）というタンパクが脳で機能低下を起こすと統合失調症に似た行動や脳内の様々な異常が生じることを、マウスにおいて発見しています。本研究では、脳部位・時期特異的に CN の活性を操作可能なマウスを作製し、発達段階
や成熟後の CN の活性がこうした異常と関連しているのかについて検討を進めています。これまでに、成熟後の CN の活性低下が、特定の統合失調症様の行動異常に関与している可能性があることなどが明らかになってきました。

- 116 -

Synthesis of carbon-dioxide-derived novel environment-conscious
amphiphilic graft copolymers andconstruction of their molecular assemblies
Satoshi Honda
Tokyo University of Sciencehonda.s@ci.kagu.tus.ac.jp

Abstract
Brush macromolecules composed of poly(acrylic ester) main chain and poly(propylene carbonate)side chain polymers have successfully been synthesized by CO2–PO alternating copolymerization
initiated from poly(acrylic acid) as a multi-functional initiator. AFM observation of the synthesized
brush macromolecules revealed that they have ellipsoidal single molecular morphologies. Moreover,these brush macromolecules showed thermal decomposition temperature (Td) comparable to that oflinear PPC, demonstrating that they are potentially applicable to thermoresponsive nanostructures.
Key words : CO2-derived polymer, Graft copolymer, Degradable nanostructures

Introduction
Development of eco-friendly materials utilizing CO2 is one of the most challenging researches
in modern chemistry. Polymer synthesis utilizing CO2 as a monomer is an ideal system fortransforming it into polymer backbone, yet the synthesis of CO2-derived polymers having nonlinear
architectures has been limited. On the other hand, progress in polymer science has produced various
nonlinear macromolecular architectures, allowing us to design properties unique to them. Althoughnature utilizes such effects to elaborate brilliant biofunctions, utilizing it for artificial eco-friendly
materials is just fledgling. In this study, synthesis of novel graft copolymers by CO2 –epoxide
copolymerization and construction of functional nanostructures therefrom was targeted.

Results
We recently reported that α,ω-bis(dicarboxyl) poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) works as the tetrafunctional macroinitiator for CO2–propylene oxide (PO) copolymerization to give H-shaped PPCs.1
Brush macromolecular architecture, which requires effective initiation from multitudes of reactive
sites, has been remained one of the most challenging synthetic targets. In the present study, brushmacromolecules composed of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) main chain and poly(propylene carbonate)(PPC) side chain polymers were synthesized by immortal alternating copolymerization of CO2 andpropylene oxide (PO) initiated from PAA as a multifunctional initiator. Thus first, poly(tert-butyl
acrylate), PtBA80, was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)2 of tBA (Figure
1a, top). The subsequent hydrolysis of tert-butyl group using TFA afforded the corresponding PAA80,
which was then employed for CO2–PO alternating copolymerization as a multi-functional initiator.

- 117 -

The GPC chromatogram of the product after CO2–PO copolymerization showed the existence oftwo polymer fractions having apparently different molecular weight (Figure 1a, middle). The lowermolecular-weight polymers appeared as bimodal molecular weight distribution (Mw(RI) = 7700,
Mw/Mn = 1.12) are appeared due to the existence of growing species from catalyst-derived chloride
anion and from H2O in the reaction system, which is unavoidable in the present copolymerization
system.3 It is noteworthy that the highest-molecular-weight fraction (Mw(RI) = 19 × 104, Mw/Mn =1.19) showed narrow molecular weight distribution with retaining unimodal profile, demonstrating
the propagation occurs all at once from the 80 carboxyl groups. The highest-molecular-weight
copolymer fractionated by preparative HPLC (Figure 1a, bottom) was analyzed using right angle
laser light scattering (RALLS) technique and the absolute molecular weight (Mw(RALLS)) was
determined to be 130 × 104. The Mw(RI)/Mw(RALLS) ratio (g)—g represents the degree of shrinking
for polymers having nonlinear architecture 4 —of PAA80 -g-PPC160 was calculated to be 0.15,
indicating highly shrunk polymer form of PAA80 -g-PPC160 in comparison with the corresponding
linear analogue having same absolute molecular weight. Based on RALLS, hydrodynamic radius(Rh) and radius of gyration (Rg) of PAA80-graft-PPC160 were also determined to be 15 and 19 nm,
respectively.
Next, single molecular mor phologies of
PAA80 -g-PPC160 were directly observed byusing atomic force microscope (AFM). An
AFM image of a sample prepared on freshly
cleaved mica su rface by d rop casting achloroform solution of PAA80-g-PPC160 showed
uniformly-shaped ellipsoidal morphologies
with 20 –50 nm in diameter (Figure 1b).
The size of PAA80 -g-PPC160 was consistent

Figure 1. (a) GPC traces of PtBA80 (top), productwith their R h and Rg values. Therefore, size after CO2–PO copolymerization (middle), andand morphology of PAA80 -g-PPC160 single PtBA80-g-PPC160 (bottom). (b) AFM image and (c)molecules and their arrangement were revealed

TGA curve of PtBA80-g-PPC160..

by AFM (Figure 1b).
Furthermore, the thermal decomposition temperature (Td) of the PAA80 -g-PPC160 was examinedby thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Importantly, PAA80-g-PPC160 showed Td of 241 °C, which iscomparable to that of linear PPC.
All of these results clearly demonstrate that PAA-g-PPCs are potentially applicable to degradable
nano-template materials or to stimuli-responsive nano- particles for human-body related
applications.

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Discussion & Conclusion
Immortal alternating copolymerization of CO2 and epoxide has been confirmed as an effective
approach for synthesizing brush macromolecules having CO2-derived PC side chains. Thus, thebrush macromolecule composed of PAA main chain and PPC side chain polymers, i.e., PAA-gPPC was successfully synthesized by CO2–PO alternating copolymerization initiated from PAA
as a multifunctional initiator. The single-molecular morphologies of PAA-g-PPCs were observedby AFM, demonstrating that they have ellipsoidal single-molecular morphologies. The size andmorphology of PAA-g-PPC were consistent with R h and Rg determinations using GPC with the
RALLS detector. Moreover, PAA-graft-PPCs showed thermal degradability comparable to thatof linear PPCs. Conclusively, PAA-g-PPCs showed not only properties as nanoparticles but also
the fundamental properties of CO2-derived PCs. The synthesis of CO2-derived amphiphilic brushmacromolecules is currently under investigation.

References
1. Yoshida, S.; Honda, S.; Goto, H.; Sugimoto, H. Polym. Chem. 2014, 5, 1883–1890.
2. Matyjaszewski, K.; Xia, J. Chem. Rev. 2001, 101, 2921–2990.
3. Sugimoto, H.; Kuroda, K. Macromolecules 2008, 41, 312–317.
4. Douglas, J.F.; Freed, K.F. Macromolecules 1984, 17, 2344–2354.

一般の皆様へ
CO2 を原料とするポリカーボネート（PC）の合成は環境調和型材料として期待される。しかし、PCのかたちを組換える研究展開には、ほとんど進展がみられない。高分子のかたちの組換えは、組成や分子量に手を加えることなく物性を操る方策として期待され、PC のかたちを組換えることは急務であった。本研究では、
CO2 を原料に櫛型に分岐したグラフト共重合体を合成することに成功した。また、
CO2 由来グラフト共重合体一分子を原子間力顕微鏡によって観察し、一分子が楕円状のナノ粒子として振舞うことを突き止めた。さらに、このグラフト共重合体は比較的低温で熱分解したことから、熱分解性ナノ粒子としての様々な応用を期待できる結果となった。

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The Identification of Exosomal Micro RNA Specificfor the Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Keishi Sugimachi
Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Beppu Hospital
sugimachi@beppu.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Abstract
We explored the microRNA from the exosome in the serum of the patients with hepatocellular
carcinoma. The miR718-HOXB8 axis was significantly associated with the tumor recurrence
after liver transplantation, and it had potential to be a novel biomarker to predict post-transplant
recurrence of the disease.
Key words : exosome; microRNA; hepatocellular carcinoma; recurrence; liver transplantation.

Introduction
Predictive biomarkers for the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have great benefit in
the selection of treatment options, including liver transplantation (LT), for HCC. microRNAs (miRs),a class of small non-coding RNA molecules, affect crucial processes in cancer development andoffer great potential as cancer biomarkers due to their remarkable stability in blood. The objective of
this study was to identify specific miRs in exosomes from the serum of patients with recurrent HCC
and to validate these molecules as novel biomarkers for HCC recurrence.

Results
We employed microarray-based expression profiling of miRs derived from exosomes in the serumof HCC patients to identify a biomarker that distinguishes between patients with and without
HCC recurrence after liver transplantation. This was followed by real-time semi-quantitative PCRvalidation in a separate cohort of 59 HCC patients who underwent living related LT. We foundthat miR-718 showed significantly
different expression in the serum
e xo s o m e s of H C C c a s e s w i t hrecurrence after LT compared withthose without recurrence. Decreased
expression of miR-718 was associatedwith HCC tumor aggressiveness inthe validated cohort series.
The functions and potential genetargets of the recurrence-specificm i R s were a nalyzed usi ng a

- 120 -

database, clinical samples and HCC cell lines. We identified HOXB8 as a potential target gene ofmiR-718, and its up-regulation was associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients.

Discussion & Conclusion
We demonstrated that a functional miR in exosomes was associated with the recurrence of HCC
after LDLT. We explored preoperative biomarkers that predict HCC recurrence after surgery,which could help select the patients who need LT, resulting in the proper usage of donor organs.
Our findings indicate that the specific miRs in serum exosomes are not only biomarkers but also
biologically functional molecules in tumor recurrence. The present study is the first to explore
miRs in exosomes, which circulate in the serum of patients. Circulating miRs in serum exosomes
have potential as novel biomarkers for predicting HCC recurrence. This study provides new andimportant information on the functional significance of serum exosomal miRs that could be novel
biomarkers for predicting the recurrence and therapeutic targets of HCC.

References
1. Sugimachi K, Matsumura T, Hirata H, Uchi R, Ueda M, Ueo H, Shinden Y, Iguchi T, Eguchi H,
Shirabe K, Ochiya T, Maehara Y, Mimori K.
Identification of a bona-fide microRNA biomarker in serum exosomes that predicts hepatocellulararcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation. Br J Cancer, 2015; 112(3): 532-8.

一般の皆様へ
現在の臨床において、肝癌において肝移植術後の再発や予後を予測するために画像による腫瘍因
子や血清の腫瘍マーカー ( 血清 AFP 値、PIVKAII 値 ) が用いられている。従来のバイオマーカーと同じく、エクソソームマイクロ RNA は血液中で安定して存在し、比較的簡便に定量することができる。
この研究により、血漿を循環するエクソソーム内マイクロ RNA は肝癌の再発を予測する重要なバイオマーカーとなりうるという新たな知見が示された。

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Phosphoproteomic analysis of mitotic chromatin
SHINYA OHTA
Medical School, Kochi University
shinya.ohta@kochi-u.ac.jp

Abstract
This study focuses on the phosphoproteome of mitotic chromosomes that includes ~4,000
phosphorylation sites; these sites were identified using HAMMOC (hydroxy acid-modified
metal oxide chromatography). For example, we were able to identify 29 of phosphorylation sitein chromosome passenger complex (INCENP, AuroraB, borealin, and survivin) that are binding
isolated mitotic chromosomes. Moreover, we demonstrate the use of SILAC (stable isotope labelingwith amino acids in cell culture) in orthogonal experiments to rank these phosphorylation sites
in mitotic chromosomes that undergo a change from the interphase. This ranking clearly shows
the occurrence of mitosis-specific phosphorylation and dephosphorylation on proteins binding tochromosomes.
Key words : mitosis; chromosome; posttranslational modification; proteomics

Introduction
PTMs (post-translational modification), such as, phosphorylation and acetylation, play importantroles in the formation of the chromosome structure and regulation of its dynamics. It is necessary
to create a comprehensive list of PTMs that affect mitotic chromosomes in order to understandthe regulation of mitotic chromosomes via PTMs. In our previous study, we reported the complete
protein composition of mitotic chromosomes isolated from chicken DT40 cells. Based on this data
we identified a part of the mitotic chromosome structure and examined its regulation.

Results
Chicken DT40 cells with the CDK1 mutation can be synchronized in G2 phase by the ATPanalogue 1NMPP1, and cells in mitosis were collected after 30 min of the release from 1NMPP1
treatment. We isolated mitotic chromosomes from these synchronized cells using the sucrose
and Percoll gradient method in the presence of phosphatase inhibitors. HAMMOC with titanium
delivered highly concentrated phosphopeptides from isolated mitotic chromosomes (Fig. 1A).
Finally, we identified 4274 phosphorylation sites in mitotic chromatin by mass spectrometry (Fig.
1B). This analysis showed that centromere and chromosomal proteins such as INCENP, TopoII, andKi-67 are highly phosphorylated in mitosis.

- 122 -

To d e t e r m i n e t h especif icity of these
phosphor ylat ion sites i nmitosis, we next compared
the phosphorylationlevels bet ween m itot ic
chromatin and interphasech rom at i n u si ng SI LAC(Fig. 2A). Ultimately, 2761
phosphopeptides were
quantif ied and compared
between mitosis andFig. 1 (A) Experimental design of phosphopeptide identification from synchronized DT40 cellswith a Cdk1 mutation by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. (B) We identified
4274 phosphorylation sites from four replicate experiments. The pie charts shows 27 categories ofproteins to which the phosphopeptides belong. Percentages were calculated based on thenumber of phosphopeptides (left) or the amount of phosphopeptides (right). Colours simply show
4 classes of categories.

interphase using HAMMOC. Moreover, we quantitatively compared the amount of individual
proteins between mitosis and interphase. These two quantitative proteomics analyses revealed 351
mitotic-specific phosphorylation sites and 167 mitotic-specific dephosphorylation sites (Fig. 2B).
This analysis showed that
proteins associated with
DNA replication or repair
are dephosphor ylated ina mitotic-specific manner( Fig. 3). T h i s s u g ge st s
that DNA replication andrepair are inactivatedFig. 2 (A) Experimental design of phosphorylation comparison between mitosis and interphase
chromatin using SILAC. (B) Scatter plot of the protein level ratio between mitosis and interphase(x-axis) versus the phosphorylation ratio between mitosis and interphase (y-axis). The right panel
shows a magnified view from the square.

by phosphatase inmitosis. However, some
phosphor ylation sites incentromere proteins and condensin subunits showed mitotic-specific expression (Fig. 3). Some ofthese have previously been reported to be involved in chromosome segregation in mitosis. However,
we detected a number of phosphorylation sites that have not been published and may be candidates
as switches of activation in mitosis.

Fig. 3 Ratios between identified
mitotic-specific phosphorylation
(red)
and
dephosphorylation(blue) in 29 categories. Red, blue,and green lines show well-known
mitotic chromosome proteins,
DNA repair and replication
proteins,
andchromosomal
hitchhikers, respectively.

- 123 -

Discussion & Conclusion
We revealed that CENP-T and INCENP from centromere proteins, and condensin and TopoII
from chromosomal structure proteins were highly phosphorylated with novel phosphorylation sites.
This suggests that there are still many unclear regulation systems in mitosis. To understand how
these phosphorylations contribute to mitosis progression and are correlated with diseases, we are
currently developing antibodies to specifically recognize these phosphorylation sites. In addition,
we are carrying out studies to identify acetylation sites in mitotic chromatin. Moreover theseresults identified by the proteomics approach can deriver the novel protein function in the next cellbiological analysis5,6.

References
1 Hégarat et al. (2011). Aurora A and Aurora B jointly coordinate chromosome segregation andanaphase microtubule dynamics. J. Cell Biol. 195, 1103–1113.
2 Sugiyama et al. (2007). Phosphopeptide enrichment by aliphatic hydroxy acid-modified metaloxide chromatography for nano-LC-MS/MS in proteomics applications. Mol. Cell Proteomics 6,1103–1109.
3 Imamura et al. (2014). Large-scale identification of phosphorylation sites for profiling protein
kinase selectivity. J. Proteome Res. 13, 3410–3419.
4 Ong et al. (2002). Stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture, SILAC, as a simple andaccurate approach to expression proteomics. Mol. Cell Proteomics 1, 376–386.
5 Ohta et al. (2010). The Protein Composition of Mitotic Chromosomes Determined Using
Multiclassifier Combinatorial Proteomics. Cell 142, 810–821.
6 Ohta (2015). CENP-32 is required to maintain centrosomal dominance in bipolar spindle
assembly. Mol. Biol. Cell 26, 1225–1237.

一般の皆様へ
染色体に結合しているタンパク質の修飾と細胞周期の相関関係を理解することは、そこに収められている遺伝子情報の発現がどのように制御されているのか理解する上で非常に意義があります。質量分析を応用することで、未知のタンパク質修飾も明らかになりつつあり、これまで以上に詳細に生物の恒常性メカニズムを理解することができます。

- 124 -

Research on post-translational modification process ofbacterial lipoproteins
Kenji Kurokawa
Nagasaki International University
Kurokawa@niu.ac.jp

Abstract
We have reported that lipoproteins in Gram-positive bacteria are N-acylated or N-acetylated.
However, these bacteria do not have Gram-negative Escherichia coli-type N-acylation enzyme
called Lnt. Thus, a novel-type Lnt should exist in Gram-positive bacteria. In this study, we tried to
identify the novel-type Lnt by a combinational method using biochemical and genetic techniques.
Using biotin-maleimide labeling of the cysteine, a putative active-site residue of the novel-type Lnt,
and MS-based identification of labeled proteins, nine candidates were selected. By constructionsof gene-targeted strains and lipoprotein analyses, five of nine were shown to be negative for Lnt.
Further analyses are ongoing.
Key words : Bacterial lipoproteins, N-acylation, Gram-positive bacteria

Introduction
Bacterial lipoproteins have a diacylglycerol moiety via thioester-linkage at the N-terminal
cysteine residue. In Gram-negative E. coli, the cysteine residue is further N-acylated, which isessential for sorting of lipoproteins to outer cell membrane. Conversely, Gram-positives including
Staphylococcus aureus have been considered to be not N-acylated. Notably, the acylation site
stimulates host innate immune receptor TLR2, in which diacylated and triacylated lipoproteins often
stimulated differentially TLR2-6 and TLR2-1 heterodimers. We have reported that lipoproteins ofGram-positives are N-acylated or N-acetylated via MALDI-TOF-MS and revealed new lyso- andpeptidyl-form of lipoproteins. Here, we tried to determine the novel-type N-acylation enzyme ofGram-positives.

Results
1) Screening for the novel-type Lnt using an S. aureus mutant library.
N-Acylation of lipoproteins in Gram-negative E. coli and others is essential for lipoproteintranslocation from inner membrane to outer membrane via Lol system (Fukuda et al. JBC 2002).
Although low-GC content Gram-positive bacteria do not have outer membrane, N-acylation of
lipoproteins in these bacteria may have some roles other than membrane localization of lipoproteinsthat can be carried out by diacylation.
Candidate genes encoding S. aureus Lnt protein were selected in silico using domain search.
Primary candidates were transmembrane proteins with enzyme catalytic domains and secondary
candidates were soluble proteins with enzyme domains. Then, their mutant bacteria were obtained- 125 -

from a collection of sequence-defined S. aureus transposon (Tn) insertion mutant library organizedby NARSA committee. Each mutant was transformed with a plasmid expressing SitC-HisD, inwhich truncated form of SitC lipoprotein, one of major lipoproteins of S. aureus, were C-terminally
fused with histidine-tag. Lipoprotein-enriched fractions of Tn-mutant strains were obtained usinga Triton X-114 phase separation method and were checked for the lipoprotein N-acylation state.
The diacylated and triacylated forms of the truncated SitC lipoprotein were separated using 20
cm high 16% SDS-PAGE and visualized by Western blot with anti-His tag antibody as reported in
Kurokawa et al. J. Bac. 2012. We used diacylated SitC-HisD control proteins those were producedin acidic culturing conditions with post-log phase S. aureus cells (Kurokawa et al. J. Bac. 2012).
Until now, we have searched 251 Tn mutants in total. However, we could not find a mutant that
produced diacylated SitC-HisD. Thus, all the S. aureus Tn mutants we tested were functional for the
N-acylation.
2) Biochemical approach to identify the novel-type Lnt.
We hypothesized that the novel-type Lnt had S-acyl intermediate as like as the other acyltransferases including E. coli-type Lnt (Buddelmeijer et al. Biochemistry 2010). Then, we carriedout an acyl-biotin exchange method (Roth et al. Cell 2006, etc) to identify the novel-type Lnt.
Briefly, membrane proteins were prepared from S. aureus cells and treated first with ethylmaleimide
to block free cysteine residues. Second, the membrane proteins were treated with hydroxylamine
to reduce S-acylated intermediates of the active-site cysteine residues, and thirdly with biotinmaleimide to label the cysteine residues that was reduced by hydroxylamine. Resulting biotinlabeled proteins were visualized by Western blotting with Streptavidin-HRP and ECL. We foundseveral biotin-labeled protein bands having 30 to 100 kDa size in a hydoroxylamine-dependent
manner. Then, we tried to purify and concentrate these biotin-labeled proteins using NeutrAvidin
agarose. Proteins enriched by the NeutrAvidin agarose were separated and visualized by SDSPAGE with CBB staining. Protein bands were cut out, digested with trypsin, and determined by
LC-MS/MS followed by Mascot analyses. We performed three sets of this screening and defined
58 function-unknown (hypothetical) proteins in S. aureus gene database for the N315 strain. Basedon the reproducibility of protein identifications and in sillico selection including transmembrane
domain search with TMHMM Server v2.0, we defined nine candidate transmembrane proteins.
Until now, we have constructed five gene-disruption mutants out of the nine candidates. The
other four gene-deletion mutants are under construction. Successful construction of each mutant
was confirmed via genomic DNA isolation and PCR analyses of the targeted gene. Then, the five
disrupted mutants were transformed with a SitC-HisD plasmid and determined for their lipoprotein
N-acylation state as described above. Unfortunately, all the five disrupted mutants we constructed
showed triacylated forms.

Discussion & Conclusion
We have not yet determined the novel-type Lnt in S. aureus cells. We are going to construct theother four candidate gene mutants, which were obtained from the acyl-biotin exchange method. In- 126 -

addition, we may need to establish new biochemical strategies for the Lnt identification including
the in vitro N-acylation assay of diacylated precursor lipoproteins.
While we have evaluated the lnt gene candidates using gene-disruption mutants followed bylipoprotein-N-acylation state analysis, this strategy is not perfect; if S. aureus has two functional
lnt genes, disruption of one of the two may not show the expected diacylated phenotype. So, we arethinking of the requirement of the other evaluation strategy for the candidate lnt genes.

References
1. Nakayama, H, Kurokawa K, Lee BL. Lipoproteins in bacteria: Structures and biosynthetic
pathways. FEBS J. 279 (23), 4247-4268 (2012).
2. Kurokawa K, Kim MS, Ichikawa R, Ryu KH, Dohmae N, Nakayama H, and BL Lee.
Environment-mediated accumulation of diacyl lipoproteins over their triacyl counterparts in
Staphylococcus aureus. J. Bacteriol. 194 (13), 3299–3306 (2012)
3. Kurokawa K, Ryu KH, Ichikawa R, Matsuda A, Kim MS, Lee H, Chae JH, Shimizu T, Saitoh T,
Kuwano K, Akira S, Dohmae N, Nakayama H, and Lee BL. Novel bacterial lipoprotein structuresconserved in low-GC content Gram-positive bacteria are recognized by Toll-like receptor 2. J
Biol Chem. 287 (16), 13170–13181 (2012)
4. Asanuma M, Kurokawa K, Ichikawa R, Ryu KH, Chae JH, Dohmae N, Lee BL, and Nakayama
H. Structural evidences of α-aminoacylated lipoproteins of Staphylococcus aureus. FEBS J. 278(5), 716–728 (2011)
5. Kurokawa K, Lee H, Roh KB, Asanuma M, Kim YS, Nakyama H, Shiratsuchi A, Choi Y,
Takeuchi O, Kang HJ, Dohmae N, Nakanishi Y, Akira S, Sekimizu K, and Lee BL. The
triacylated ATP binding cluster transporter substrate-binding lipoprotein of Staphylococcus
aureus functions as a native ligand for the toll-like receptor 2. J. Biol. Chem. 284 (13), 8406-8411(2009)

一般の皆様へ
細菌の細胞膜には、リポタンパク質という脂肪酸と結合した特殊なタンパク質の一群がある。リポタンパク質は栄養分の取り込みや、細菌表層の構造形成に重要な働きをしている。その脂肪酸とタン
パク質の結合部分は、ヒトの免疫系が体内に侵入してきた細菌を見つける目印として使う特殊な構造をしており、この構造を認識すると細菌を排除する仕組みが働き出す。私達は、黄色ブドウ球菌やその近縁菌のリポタンパク質の特殊構造が、新しい構造であることを見つけた。この研究では、特殊構造をつくる仕組みを明らかにする研究を行った。鍵となる酵素は発見できなかったが、候補タン
パク質を複数同定した。さらなる研究が必要である。

- 127 -

Development of a novel catalytic asymmetric method for theincorporation of a biologically significant trifluoromethyl group
Yoshitaka HAMASHIMA
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka
hamashima@u-shizuoka-ken.ac.jp

Abstract
The trifluoromethylation of ene-carboxylic acid derivatives was investigated in the presenceof newly designed Cu-cinchona alkaloid hybrid catalysts. Since asymmetric induction wasobserved albeit not satisfactory, we could confirmed that our basic catalyst design deserves further
investigation for improvement. During the studies, we also found a new type of trifluoromethylationof propargylic alcohols to give α-trifluoromethyl enones, which would be a useful building block forthe synthesis of bioactive compounds.
Key words : Trifluoromethyl group, catalyst, alkene, cooperative catalysis

Introduction
Introduction of a trifluoromethyl group into an organic framework often results in increased
metabolic stability, lipophilicity, and bioactivity. Therefore, the development of new methodologies
for construction of trifluoromethylated organic compounds is of great interest not only in organic
chemistry, but also in the fields of pharmaceutical and agrochemical sciences. Considering a chiralenvironment in our body, the preparation of chiral trifluoromethylated compounds should be an
important subject. Here, we disclose our results on the asymmetric difunctionalization of olefinswith concomitant Csp3–CF3 bond formation and a novel stereoselective synthetic method for (Z)-αtrifluoromethylenone derivatives.

Results
At first, the ligands of designed copper catalysts were synthesized from quinine as describedin our research proposal. With these ligands in hand, the reaction conditions of asymmetrictrifluoromethylation with Togni’s reagent were screened using 4-phenyl-4-pentenoic acid as a test
substrate. As a result, asymmetric induction was observed in ether without any additives, albeit withlow enantiomeric excess (10 % e.e.). This preliminary result prompted us to further investigate thisreaction system. We are trying to improve the reaction efficiency, and we will examine the reactionof alkenes having a coordination site to the metal ion, such as alcohols and amides, to control theconformation of the substrate in the transition state.
During this study, we could found a new trifluoromethylation reaction. Thus, propargylic alcohols
was transformed to α-trif luoromethylenones.[1] Among catalysts screened, the combinationof CuI and Re2O7 was found to be an efficient catalyst system. In the reaction of secondary
propargylic alcohols, it is noteworthy that the stereochemistry of C=C bond is Z, which is difficult
to prepare. In addition, the transformation of primary propargylic alcohols to β-non-substituted-α-- 128 -

trifluoromethylenones was successfully demonstrated. Many functional groups, such as ester, silyl
ether, and aryl halide, were well tolerant of this reaction.
Liu and Tan et al. also reported a similar trifluoromethylation, but E-isomer was the major productin their report.[2] The difference in the reaction conditions were only reaction temperature andRe2O7. To elucidate the stereoselectivity, we carried out some mechanistic studies. Time courseof the reaction revealed that the Z/E ratio dramatically decreased as the reaction time increased.
Although the isolated product did not undergo isomerization in the absence of the catalyst, the Z/
E ratio decreased in the presence of the Cu/Re catalysts and Togni reagent. These results clearly
indicate that the Z isomer was kinetically formed in our reaction. However, E-isomer was notenriched even after a prolonged reaction time, suggesting that both isomers are energeticallyequally stable. Additionally, allenyl silyl ether was used as a control substrate, providing the (E)-αtrifluoromethylenone product as a major isomer. This suggests that an allenol intermediate would
not be involved as a major pathway in our reaction.
Based on these observations, a unique reaction pathway is proposed (Figure 1). In path a, oxetene
I would be generated via a 4-endo-dig cyclization. Then, ring-opening reaction would occur in an
outward fashion, resulting in the formation of intermediate III. Another possibility is path b. A
rhenium-propargylic alcohol complex formed in situ would undergo six-membered ring formationby the reaction with an electrophilic active species to afford intermediate II. The fragmentationof II would give intermediate III, which is expected to occur via transition state model B with thesubstituent at the β-position directed away from the ring.
OH

path aAr

O[CF 3]

I

path bO[CF 3]H
A

Ar[CF 3]
O

CF3

III

[Re]

Ar

O
[CF 3]

Ar[CF 3]O

Ar

H
O3ReO O O
Re
O
O
Ar

[CF 3]
II
I

Figure 1.

[CF 3]

O

OH
Ar

Me

Ar

Ar

O
O
[Re]
H

Me
B

[CF 3] = unidentified active species

Discussion & Conclusion
As for asymmetric trifluormethylation of ene-acids, we confirmed that the basic design of the
Cu catalyst could induce enantioselectivity. If alkenes with a binding site to copper are examined,chelation-assisted reaction would be possible, affording the desired product with high asymmetricinduction.
In the course of the study, a new synthetic method for α-trifluoromethylenone derivatives was
discovered. Under Cu-Re cooperative catalysis conditions, the products were obtained efficiently
from propargylic alcohols in good to high yields. The reaction of secondary propargylic alcohols
proceeded in a Z-selective manner under kinetic control. In addition, primary propargylic alcohols
were good substrates, affording terminal α-trifluoromethylated enones, which are expected to be- 129 -

useful building brocks for synthesis of analogs of bioactive molecules. Based on the mechanistic
studies, we proposed that the cyclic intermediates would be the key for the formation of Z-isomer.

References
1. H. Egami, T. Ide, M. Fujita, T. Tojo, Y. Hamashima, M. Sodeoka, Chem. Eur. J. 2014, 20, 1206112065.
2. Y.-P. Xiong, M.-Y. Wu, X.-Y. Zhang, C.-L. Ma, L. Huang, L.-J. Zhao, B. Tan, X.-Y. Liu, Org. Lett.
2014, 16, 1000-1003.

一般の皆様へ
医薬品の約２０％にフッ素が含まれるように、フッ素は医薬化学研究において重要な位置づけがされています。それはフッ素を分子に導入することによって薬効等が改善されることがよくあるからです。そのフッ素を含む官能基の中で、最近注目されているものの代表格の一つがトリフルオロメチル基（CF3 基）です。しかしながら、現在でも CF3 基を自在に導入することはできません。そこで我々のグループでは新たな CF3 基を持った分子群を効率的に作る方法論を開発しています。本研究はその一環で、今回これまでなかなか作ることができなかった分子の新しい合成法の開発に成功しました。

- 130 -

Spatiotemporal analysis of oncogenic signaling by Kit tyrosine kinase~Mechanism of autonomous proliferation in mastocytosis andgastrointestinal stromal tumor~
Yuuki Obata
Division of Immunobiology, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences,
Tokyo University of Science
yobata@rs.tus.ac.jp

Abstract
Kit is a receptor-type tyrosine kinase found on the plasma membrane (PM). It can transform mast
cells and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) through activating mutations. Here, we show that mutant Kit
in neoplastic mast cells is permanently active and allows cells to proliferate autonomously. It doesso by activating two signaling pathways from different intracellular compartments. Mutant Kit fromthe cell surface accumulates on endolysosomes through endocytosis, which requires Kit’s activity.
Kit is constitutively associated with PI3K, but the complex activates Akt only on endolysosomes.
Kit also appears in the ER soon after biosynthesis, and there, can activate STAT5 aberrantly. Thus,
oncogenic Kit signaling occurs from different intracellular compartments, and the mutation acts byaltering Kit trafficking as well as activation.
Key words : Kit tyrosine kinase, endocytosis, PI3K-Akt, STAT5, endoplasmic reticulum

Introduction
The Kit proto-oncogene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase. Kit is expressed on mast cells, ICC
and melanocytes. Upon stimulation with Kit ligand, Kit triggers many signaling events at the PM,
resulting in cell proliferation and differentiation. In many mast cell neoplasms and gastrointestinal
stromal tumors, Kit has gain-of-function mutations, causing permanent, ligand-independent
activation of the receptor. Although relationship between the cancers and Kit mutations is wellunderstood, the precise mechanism of oncogenic Kit signaling is totally unknown. To explore how
Kit transduces oncogenic signals, we studied what pathways it activates, from various subcellularcompartments, using immunof luorescence microscopy, immunoprecipitation and chemical
inhibition of intracellular trafficking.

Results
We recently established a mast cell line from mouse splenocytes, RCM cells, bearing c-Kit andFcεRI. RCM cells grow without cytokines and develop tumours in vivo. They express Kit(D814Y), a
constitutively active mutant.
First, to examine whether Kit(D814Y) was essential for proliferation of RCM cells, we treated
RCM cells with PKC412, an inhibitor of Kit tyrosine kinase. PKC412 inhibited the phosphorylationof Kit(D814Y), and also inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (Fig. 1a).

- 131 -

Furthermore, knockdown of Kit(D814Y) also suppressed cell proliferation. Thus, the kinase activity
is required for autonomous proliferation (Fig. 1b).

Next, we investigated the localization and trafficking of Kit(D814Y) by immunofluorescence
confocal microscopy. In normal mast
cells, most wild-type Kit was at thePM, whereas in RCM cells Kit(D814Y)
was mai n ly on vesicula r st r uct u res(Fig. 2a). Kit(D814Y) co-localized with
LAMP1 significantly, and with cathepsin
D-positive vesicles somewhat, suggesting
it is mainly present on endolysosomes.
I n RCM cells t reated for 24 h witht he k i nase i n h ibitor PKC 412, t here
was more Kit(D814Y) at the PM andless in endolysosomes (Fig. 2b). Thus,
Kit(D814Y) from the PM accumulateson endolysosomes through endocytosis;t h is occu r s i n a k i na se a ct iv it ydependent manner. For Kit’s endocytosis,
clathrin plays an essential role in Kit’s
endocytosis, and thus Kit(D814Y) was
under-ubiquitinated.
In RCM cells, we found that Kit(D814Y)- 132 -

activates the PI3K-Akt pathway and STAT5, which are necessary for their proliferation. To
investigate whether oncogenic Kit signaling occurred on endolysosomes, we used bafilomycin A1(BafA1), which blocks endosomal trafficking. BafA1 did not affect Kit(D814Y)’s kinase activity.
It reduced activation of Akt but not of STAT5 (Fig. 3a). BafA1 did not suppress the association ofKit(D814Y) with PI3K, and did not affect Kit phosphorylation. Therefore, Kit(D814Y) presumably
associates with PI3K before reaching endolysosomes. These results suggest that Kit must localize toendolysosomes to activate Akt.

Next, we determined where in the cell Kit(D814Y) activates STAT5. First, we examined whether
exocytic transport of Kit(D814Y) from the Golgi apparatus towards the PM was required. Monensin
had no effect on the autophosphorylation of Kit(D814Y), or on PI3K’s association with Kit(D814Y).
Moreover, monensin abolished Akt activation, presumably because Kit could no longer locate
to endolysosomes. STAT5 activation was not affected, suggesting that Kit activates STAT5 on
the Golgi and/or ER, not at the PM. Next, we used brefeldin A (BFA) to inhibit ER export ofKit(D814Y). Upon BFA treatment, partially glycosylated Kit(D814Y) accumulated on the ER andSTAT5 became active (Fig. 3b). BFA did not stop the autophosphorylation of Kit(D814Y) or p85’s
association with Kit(D814Y), suggesting that Kit(D814Y) activates STAT5 on the ER.
The human and rat mast cell leukemia cell lines HMC-1 and RBL-2H3 endogenously express Kit
with mutations in the kinase domain, these being Kit(D816V) and Kit(D817Y), respectively. The
two cells lines gave similar results from RCM cells. Taken together, oncogenic Kit signaling occur
on intracellular compartments not only in mice cells, but also in rat and human cells.

- 133 -

Discussion & Conclusion
In contrast to normal Kit, which signals from the PM, mutant oncogenic Kit signals fromintracellular compartments (Fig. 4). Newly synthesized, incompletely glycosylated mutant Kit
initially localizes to the ER then activates STAT5. Subsequently, mutant Kit traffics to the PM
through the Golgi along the secretory pathway and then immediately undergoes CME due to its
kinase activity. It then accumulates in endolysosomes, but is not fully ubiquitinated. Mutant Kit isconstitutively associated with PI3K, but the complex activates Akt only on the cytoplasmic surfaceof endolysosomes. Our study shows thatthe oncogenic signaling from mutant
Kit is spatially distinct from normal
signaling. In conclusion, we show thatcompartment-dependent oncogenic Kit
signaling is necessary for neoplastic
mast cell proliferation. These findings
provide new insights into the pathogenicrole of K it in neoplastic mast cell
disorders. Improper trafficking andaberrant signaling are frequent featuresof constitutively active growth factor
receptors, for which these data will shedlight on the significance of the spatialorganization of this oncogenic signaling.
Analyses of oncogenic Kit signaling
in gastrointestinal stromal tumors areunderway.

References
1. Obata, Y., Toyoshima, S., Wakamatsu, E., Suzuki, S., Ogawa, S., Esumi, H. & Abe, R.: Oncogenic
Kit signals on endolysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum are essential for neoplastic mast cellproliferation. Nature Communications. 5, 5715 (2014)
2. Obata, Y., Toyoshima, S., Takahashi, T., Akieda, Y., Doi, T., Esumi, H., Nishida, T. & Abe,R.: Spatiotemporal analysis of oncogenic Kit signaling in gastrointestinal stromal tumours.
Manuscript in preparation for submission.
3. 小幡裕希 , 豊島翔太 , 江角浩安 , 安部良 : マスト細胞をがん化に導く Kit のシグナル伝達は細胞膜ではなく「エンドリソソーム」,「小胞体」で起こる . 臨床免疫・アレルギー科 . 2015 年 ,第 64 巻 第 4 号- 134 -

一般の皆様へ
Kit チロシンキナーゼは、免疫を司るマスト細胞や消化管運動を担うカハール介在細胞の分化・増殖において中心的役割を果たします。それら細胞の Kit が変異して恒常的に活性化すると、マスト細胞腫 , 消化管間質細胞腫に繋がることは良く知られていますが、細胞内で「いつ・どこで」悪さをしているかがブラックボックスに包まれていました。私共は、Kit 変異体がエンドリソソーム・小胞体といった細胞内小器官で増殖シグナルを発信し、マスト細胞をがん化させることを見出しました。現在、他のがんにおいても同様の仕組みが働いているかを検討中です。がん化シグナリングの場が理解できたことにより、そこを標的とした治療戦術の構築へ展開したいと考えています。

- 135 -

III.
Reports from the Recipients of Grants
for International Meetings- 136 -

The 22nd International Symposium on Molecular Cell Biology of Macrophages (MMCB2014)
1. Representative
Toshiyuki Tanaka, Ph.D.
Professor, Hyogo University of Health Sciences
2. Opening period and Place
June 2 (Mon) – 3 (Tue), 2014
The Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kobe
3. Number of participants / Number of participating countries and areas
Participants: 124
Countries:

7 (Belgium, China, France, Israel, Japan, Singapore, and USA)

4. Total cost
￥8,058,000JPY
5. Main use of subsidy
Travel expenses for invited speakers and the costs for venue and printing.
6. Result and Impression
MMCB2014 concluded successfully. The conference provided 2-day scientific program with 21
invited lectures and 31 poster presentations. Excellent lectures were made by top-class scientists
in the field of macrophage and dendritic cell research, which prompted lively discussion with theaudience. Among the posters presented by young researchers, 3 presentations were selected forYoung Investigator Award of MMCB2014.
7. Additional description
The organizing committee of MMCB2014 gratefully acknowledge to The NOVARTISFoundation (Japan) for the Promotion of Science for their generous financial support.

- 137 -

Origins 2014: 2nd ISSOL-Astrobiology and Bioastronomy commission 51 International
Bioastronomical Union Joint International Conference

1. Representative
Akihiko Yamagishi (Professor of Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences)(Chairman: Kenji Ikehara, Director of Nara Study Center, the Open University of Japan)
2. Opening period and Place
From July 6th to July 11th, 2014
Nara-ken (Nara Prefecture) New Public Hall (Kasugano-cho 101, Nara, Nara 630-8212)
3. Number of participants / Number of participating countries and areas
Number of participants: 345 / Number of participating countries and region: 24
4. Total cost

￥19,179,000 JPY

5. Main use of subsidy
Main use of subsidy: 400,000 JPY as venue rental fee.
6. Result and Impression
Origins 2014 was held at Nara-ken New Public Hall, at which 345 scientists including 111
Japanese gathered from 24 countries and region. In the conference, 128 oral and 155 poster
presentations were carried out, in addition to 2 plenary talks by Profs. Norio Kaifu (Presidentof International Astronomical Union) and David Deamer (ex-President of the International
Society for the Study of the Origin of Life (ISSOL)) and 20 invited lectures including by 2 Nobel
Laureates, Drs. Jack Szostak and Ada Yonath. Participants discussed actively with each otherabout the origin of life on the Earth and in the universe in the talks, lectures and presentations
during the conference. It is expected that the experiences in Origins 2014 will lead to large
progresses in future studies of the participants.
7. Additional description
Origins 2014 was operated well by LOC (Local Organizing Committee) members without any
serious trouble, due to their co-operations and efforts. At the beginning, it was very worried about
Typhoon No. 8 and heat wave during the conference, but the Typhoon passed through without any
influence to the conference and temperature does not go up too high.
The venue, Nara-ken New Public Hall was highly popular with participants to the conference,
especially with foreign scientists, since it is close to World Heritages, Todaiji-temple, Kasugataisha grand shrine and Kofukuji-temple and Noh-gaku hall in the venue was used as a main
room of the conference.

- 138 -

2014 C.elegans Development, Cell Biology and Gene Expression Meeting in association with
The 6th Asia-Pacific C. elegans Meeting
1. Representative
Prof. Asako SUGIMOTO
Laboratory of Developmental Dynamics, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University
2. Opening period and Place
July 15th – 19th, 2013
Nara Prefectural New Public Hall
3. Number of participants / Number of participating countries and areas
282 participants / 18 countries and areas
4. Total cost
￥14,948,130JPY
5. Main use of subsidy
Travel cost for invited speakers from abroad
6. Result and Impression
The C. elegans Development, Cell Biology and Gene Expression Meeting was held in Asia
for the first time, and the 6th Asia-Pacific C. elegans Meeting was jointly held. We had 282 C.
elegans researchers, of which 175 were attended from overseas (17 countries). The 5-day meeting
included 9 plenary talks, 57 oral presentations selected from submitted abstracts, and 134 poster
presentations. The meeting covered wide research areas of biology including Systems Biology,
Epigenetics, Aging, and Neurobiology, and the presentations were of high quality. Interaction
between attendants was very active throughout the meeting, which will be helpful for futurecollaborative works. Non-Japanese also enjoyed the historic atmosphere of Nara and Japanesecuisines.
7. Additional description
The organizing committees greatly appreciate The Novartis Foundation for the support.

- 139 -

39th Annual International Herpesvirus Workshop

1. Representative
Koichi Yamanishi, MD, PhD (Director General, Biken Foundation of Osaka University),
Yasushi Kawaguchi, DVM, PhD (Professor, The University of Tokyo)
Yasuko Mori, MD, PhD (Professor, Kobe University)
2. Opening period and Place
July 19-23, 2014
Kobe International Exhibition Hall
3. Number of participants / Number of participating countries and areas
431/27
4. Total cost
￥51,852,306JPY
5. Main use of subsidy
Venue
6. Result and Impression
This workshop was the first International herpesvirus workshop held in Asia. We put together
a highly attractive and informative scientific program covering all aspects of herpesvirus biology
and pathogenesis. Attendees appeared to enjoy the out standing plenary lectures, learn about
exciting and stimulating current discoveries from oral and poster sessions, and make new friends
and renew friendships.
7. Additional description
We acknowledge the support of the NOVARTIS Foundation for the Promotion of Science for its
generous financial support.

- 140 -

International Symposium on Multi-dimensional Fluorescence Live
Imaging of
Cellular Function and Molecular Activities
1. Representative
Michiyuki Matsuda, Kyoto University Graduate School of Biostudies
2. Opening period and Place
January 26th to 28th, 2015
Kyoto International Conference Center
3. Number of participants / Number of participating countries and areas
310 participants/ 4 Countries, U.S.A., Israel, France, Korea
4. Total cost
￥12,000,000JPY
5. Main use of subsidy
Trip fees for the guest.
6. Result and Impression
This symposium concluded the activities associated with the grant on “Multi-dimensional
Fluorescence Live Imaging of Cellular Function and Molecular Activities,” by the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Japan. The symposium also aims to provide
a venue where researchers engaged in fluorescence live imaging can exchange their expertise, anda forum for heralding new grant projects for the coming years. More than 300 hundred attendees
have enjoyed the exciting discussions and cutting-edge presentations at this event.
The first plenary lecture was given by Dr. Eric Betzig, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in
2014. Surprisingly, he talked only slightly about PALM (Photoactivated localization microscopy),
the invention which brought him the Nobel Prize, but focused his fascinating talk on thedevelopment and the power of SIM (Structured Illumination Microscopy). By using Bessel beam
illumination, he succeeded in reducing phototoxicity and increasing spatial resolution beyond
the diffraction limit. The videos shown in his talk were simply remarkable. Cells with waving
lamellipodia and filopodia were visualized at the resolution that we could achieve only saw by thescanning electron microscope. The second plenary lecture was given by Dr. Lihong Wang, who isleading the development of photoacoustic tomography (PAT). He overviewed the current progress- 141 -

of PAT and surprised the audience with his introduction of superresolution PAT, which brings theresolution of PAT close to that of optical microscopy, and the imaging depth beyond the widthof the usual lab mice. These two lecturers reminded us of the old adage, “Records are made be
broken!”Atsushi Miyawaki chaired Session 1, “Cutting Edge Technology of Fluorescence Imaging.”
Atsushi Miyawaki presented a number of fluorescent proteins and probes that he developed.
Among them, UnaG isolated from Japanese eels was found to be a useful tool to develop a very
sensitive assay system for bilirubin. He talked about his dream of applying this assay to diagnose
neonatal jaundice. Samie Jaffrey talked about the application of RNA aptamer technology tocreate a fluorescent RNA known as Spinach. Na Ji introduced applications of adaptive optics,
which have been extensively developed for the acquisition of sharp images of stars in modern
telescopes. So, by various interdisciplinary approaches, both microscopes and the fluorescentprobes are rapidly progressing to open new fields of biology.
Tomomi Nemoto chaired Session 2, “Visualization and Optical Control of Neural Activity.”
Tomomi Nemoto followed Na Ji’s talk on adaptive optics and showed that he had succeeded invisualizing the mouse brain to a depth of as much as 1.4 mm, which was sufficient to see thehippocampus from the surface of the cerebral cortex. Vatentin Nägerl gave a talk on anothersuper-resolution technology named Stimulated Emission Depletion Microscopy, or STED. With
his inventive 3D STED, he visualized how the structure of the synapse changes during memory
formation. Masanori Matsuzaki presented his data on motor learning based on the calcium
imaging of living mouse brains. These talks showed that fluorescent imaging enables us not only
to see the structural but also the functional basis of learning and memory formation in the living
mouse brain.
On the second day, Takaharu Okada opened Session 3, “In Vivo Imaging by Multi-Photon
Microscopy (MPE).” His beautiful two-photon videos, in combination with various geneticallymodified mouse strains, revealed how dendritic cells transmit signals to follicular B lymphocytes.
Guy Shakhar also used two-photon microscopes to visualize how cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)
attack melanoma cells and to show the role of tissue oxygen concentration on the cytotoxicityof CTL. Kenji Kabashima studied contact dermatitis using MPE. He traced how dendritic cells
in the skin lesion activate lymphocytes in the skin and showed the role of the CXCL2 signalingcascade in this phenomenon. Tatsuko Kinashi studied the role of Rap1 small GTPase on the
integrin activation and T cell migration. He also showed the cross-talk between the Rap1
signaling cascade and the Hippo pathway. All four speakers in this session showed by MPE how
vividly the immune cells move around and function in living tissues.
Takeshi Imamura chaired Session 4, “Fluorescence Imaging of Cancer.” This session was also
dedicated to MPE. Takeshi Imamura showed how tumor cells behave in living tissues. The AO
technique was used again to clear the blurred image of cancer cells. Charles Lin met the challenge- 142 -

of imaging cells in the bone marrow. Using an oxygen nanosensor, he was also able to visualize
the gradient of oxygen concentration for the first time. Michio Tomura used KikGR mice, inwhich the green color of KikGR fluorescent protein can be photoconverted to red, thereby
enabling the tracking of macrophages. He showed elegantly how macrophage/dendritic cells bringtumor antigens to the regional lymph nodes by this technique.
Session 5, “Visualization of Bone and Immune Systems,” was chaired by Masaru Ishii anddedicated to bone biology. Using MPE, Masaru Ishii visualized the dynamics of osteoblasts
and osteoclasts in the bone marrow and their regulation by sphingosine-1-phosphate. He alsopresented the changes in pH during bone absorption by osteoclasts, showing the power of thebiosensor for the understanding of bone metabolism. João Pereira showed the role of Gαi-coupledprotein EBI2 and its activation by 7α, 25-dihydroxycholesterol in immune cell migration. Lastly,
Takahshi Nagasawa presented his discovery of CXCL12-abundant reticular (CAR) cells, which
serve as the niches for hematopoietic stem cells.
The last day started with Session 6, “Fluorescent biosensors and cell biology,” chaired byMichiyuki Matsuda, who overviewed recent progress in the biosensors based on Förster
resonance energy transfer (FRET). Using cell lines and transgenic mice that expressed the FRET
biosensor for ERK, he showed the similarities and the differences in the mode of growth signaltransmission among epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Won Do Heo introduced a number oftools that could perturb cell signaling within the cells. A technology named LARIAT has beenshown to inactivate molecules of interest by trapping them in specific subcellular compartments.
Michael Lin talked about a novel voltage sensor named ASAP, which is the fastest optical sensor
for monitoring neuronal activity. Takeaki Ozawa developed various optogenetic tools such as
myr-Akt, which can mimic PI3-kinase activation. Here, fluorescent molecules and luminescentmolecules were shown to be excellent tools for the development of techniques to visualize andmanipulate cellular functions.
The last session, Session 7, “Fluorescence Imaging of Cardiovascular Systems,” was chairedby Shigetomo Fukuhara. Both Shigetomo Fukuhara and Suk-Won Jin discussed the mechanismof vascularization by using fluorescence imaging of zebrafish. Because of their rich mutant
resources and transparency, zebrafish would seem to be the ideal system for elucidating thedevelopment of vascular systems. Seiji Takashima used ATeam, an ATP FRET biosensor, to show
the correlation between oxygen supply and ATP concentration in the living heart tissue. The last
speaker, Satoshi Nishimura, exhibited a number of beautiful video images covering processes
ranging from thrombus formation to inflammatory cell infiltration into lipid tissues. He showed
how powerfully live imaging contributes to attempts to decipher the complex mechanisms
underlying metabolic syndromes.
The poster sessions presented more than 30 researchers and were open on the first and seconddays. The room was full of heated discussion. Eric Betzig was so kind as to pose in photographs- 143 -

with the younger researchers, who of course held him in great esteem. Guests from abroad eagerly
talked to graduate students and postdocs, which was very encouraging for these young Japanese
researchers.
Fifteen companies exhibited their products in the room where the poster sessions were held.
Needless-to-say, the providers of microscopes and other reagents are important collaboratorsin the promotion of fluorescent live imaging. This communication between the vendors andthe researchers must have been quite important for both sides. It should also be noted that the
Olympus Company presented two luncheon seminars, in which Yasushi Okada, Hideki Taniguchi,
and Mototsugu Eiraku presented their remarkable cutting-edge imaging technologies.
7. Additional description
During this three-day symposium, we seemed to be fully immersed in almost every conceivablearea of f luorescence imaging. And indeed, as many speakers mentioned, interdisciplinary
collaboration among biology, physics, and informatics will be needed for the future progressof f luorescence imaging. This symposium was intended to provide the possibility of suchinteractions. It appears to have worked, since many researchers could already be heard discussing
potential collaborations during the coffee breaks and receptions. The research grant on “Multidimensional Fluorescence Live Imaging of Cellular Function and Molecular Activities” ends
this March, but we are sure that the seeds planted by this meeting will continue to send forth
sprouts in the near future. Lastly, we cordially thank The NOVARTIS Foundation (Japan) for the
Promotion of Science for their support.

- 144 -

28th Grant Report (FY2014)

The foundation has been conducting public interest activities such as research grant, meeting
grant and international exchange programs since its establishment on Sep. 4, 1987 in Japan underauthorization of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, followed by a transition toa public interest incorporated foundation on Apr. 1, 2012. The grants conducted in FY 2014 are as
follows.
28th Novartis Research Grant: 42 Researchers (JPY 1 mil.), Subtotal JPY 42 mil.
Research Meeting Grant:
5 Meetings (JPY 0.4 mil.), Subtotal JPY 2 mil.
				 Total JPY 44 mil.

28th Novartis Research Grant (FY2014)
The Grant is to aim supporting creative research in Japan in the field of Bio, life science andrelevant chemistry. The 42 grantees are as follows.
#

Name

1 Yuki Kinjo

2 Akikazu Fujita

3 Yuki Sudo

4 Kenta Masui
5 Rikako Sanuki
6 Midori Matsumoto
7 Yuko Ishida

Institution
Title
Research Project
National Institute ofof dendritic cell based vaccine
Infectious Diseases,
Laboratory Effectagainsthighly virulent cryptococcal
Department of Chemotherapy
Headinfectionand Mycoses
Kagoshima University,
Joint Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine
Okayama University,
Division of Pharmaceutical
Sciences
Laboratory of
Neuropathology, Tokyo
Metropolitan Institute ofMedical Science
Osaka University, Institutefor Protein Research
Keio University, Departmentof Bioscience andinformatics
Wakayama Medical
University, Department of
Forensic Medicine

Professor

Nano scale analysis of lipid molecules ofbiomembrane topology

Professor

Extended Use of the Retinal Proteins toControl the Biological Activities by Light

Positive feed-forward loop of mTOR
Chieflinks cellular metabolism to
Researcher complex
targeted therapy resistance
Assistant
Professor
Associate
Professor

Analysis of molecular mechanisms for cellfate determination of retinal interneurons
Mechanism of meiosis in triploid planarian-Different chromosome elimination
between sex

Assistant
Professor

Roles of chemokine system in Peritoneal
adhesion formation

10 Kazuya Yamagata

Kumamoto University,
Faculty of Life Sciences

Professor

11 Keiichiro Inamori

Tohoku Pharmaceutical
University

Associate
Professor

12 Masaya Oki

University of Fukui, Facultyof Engineering
Nagoya City University,
Graduate School of
Pharmaceutical Sciences

Associate
Professor

Mapping and Manipulating Neuronal
Circuits that regulates Sleep/wakefulness
StatesDevelopmental and physiological analysesof spinal neuronal circuits that generate
rhythmic locomotor activities
Identification of the roles of SIRT7 inbrown adipocytes
A novel mechanism of regulationof melanocortin receptor signaling
mediated by glycolipids in hypothalamic
inflammation
Analysis of Epigenetic gene expression
mechanism of DDI2/3 by DNA damage

Professor

Drug discovery for neuropathic pain fromprocessed aconite root

Faculty of Medicine,
Kanazawa University

Professor

Institute for
9 Shin-ichi Higashijima Okazaki
Integrative Bioscience

Associate
Professor

8 Takeshi Sakurai

13 Toshiaki Makino- 145 -#Name

14 Koji Tamura
15 Takeshi Hiyama
16 Ichiro Hayakawa
17 Masaki Ieda
18 Yoshinori Hiraoka
19 Hiroaki Ikushima
20 Yoshihiko Tanaka
21 Toshiyuki Fukada
22 Yuji Iwata
23 Takuro Miyazaki
24 Kiyoshi Masuda

25 Takaaki Mizuguchi

Institution
Tohoku University, Graduate
School of Life Sciences
National Institute for Basic
Biology
Graduate School of Natural
Science and Technology,
Okayama University
Keio University School of
Medicine
Kobe Gakuin University,
Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences

Associate
Professor

Institute of Industrial
Science, University of Tokyo

Assistant
Professor

Fukuoka Dental College,
Department of Functional
Bioscience
Showa University School of
Dentistry
Osaka Prefecture University,
Graduate School of Life andEnvironmental Sciences
Showa University School of
Medicine
Institute of Health
Bioscience, Tokushima
University
Institute of Biomaterials
and Bioengineering,Tokyo Medical and Dental
University

Title
Professor
Assistant
Professor

Associate
Professor
Assistant
Professor

Professor
Assistant
Professor
Assistant
Professor
Assistant
Professor
Lecturer

Research Project
Research on genome system regulatingbone morphogenesis
Research on neural circuit for control ofwater- and salt-intake behaviors
Development of a comprehensive synthetic
strategy and study of biological activity of
yuzurimine alkaloids
Safe and Efficient Direct Cardiac
Reprogramming for Heart Repair
A novel mechanism of temperaturecompensation on mammalian circadianclocksInduction of anti-tumor innate immune
responses by tumor-associated molecularpatterns
Functional mechanism of a novel signaling
molecule that regulates differentiation andmigration in immune cells
Molecular basis of zinc signaling on
lymphocyte homeostasis and malignancy
Establishment of experimental systems formonitoring endoplasmic reticulum stress inplantaTargeting macrophage pinocytosis inatherosclerosis
Elucidation of the molecular mechanism of
DNA damage response and carcinogenesis
mediated by chromatin remodeling

Assistant
Professor

Development of a novel fluorescent probe
to catch a “dimerization arm” of the EGF
receptor

26 Satoshi Imaizumi

Fukuoka University Schoolof Medicine

Assistant
Professor

27 Tomoyuki Honda

Institute for Virus Research,
Kyoto University
Okayama University
Graduate School of Natural
Science and Technology

Assistant
Professor

Development of novel therapy for
peripheral artery disease using ApoA-I
mimetic peptide
Regulation mechanisms of retroelements
by RNA virus

Professor

Single molecule study on ion-channel
gatingKeio University Faculty of
Pharmacy

Professor
Assistant
Professor

31 Hideaki Takagi

Institute for Enzyme
Research, Tokushima
University
Faculty of Medicine,
University of Miyazaki

The lack of mucosal barrier in specialized
epithelial M cells as a portal for infectious
agentsEpigenetic regulation of sex-determining
gene Sry through the histone H3K9
methylation

Assistant
Professor

Research on the regulation of

32 Norie Momiyama

National Institutes of Natural
Sciences

Associate
Professor

Development of Asymmetric 1,3-Alkyl
Migration Reaction for Synthesis of Drug
Candidate Compounds

33 Takashi Nakagawa

Frontier Research Core forLife Sciences,University of
ToyamaAssistant
Professor

NAD metabolism as a novel target for anticancer therapy

34 Atsuko Sehara

Kyoto University, Institutefor Frontier Medical Sciences

Professor

Creating methods for in vitro amplificationof skeletal muscle satellite cells withregenerative myogenic potential

Professor

Analysis of the intracellular mechanism forregulating robustness of the circadian clock

Associate
Professor

Development of novel cyclization reaction
with SmI2 and application to synthesis ofnatural products

Associate
Professor

Genome-wide screening of endocytosis of
GPCR

Assistant
Professor

Detection and analysis of cell chirality inprimary cultured cells

28 Toru Ide
29 Koji Hase
30 Shunsuke Kuroki

35 Makoto Akashi
36 Taiki Umezawa
37 Junko Toshima
38 Takeshi Sasamura

The Research Institute forTime Studies, Yamaguchi
University
Faculty of Environmental
Earth Science, Hokkaido
University
Faculty of Science andEngineering, Waseda
University
Osaka University, Graduate
School of Science- 146 -#Name

39 Fumitaka Osakada
40 Makoto Sato
41 Hirotoshi Tanaka
42 Itaru Sato

Institution
Graduate School of
Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Nagoya University
United Graduate School ofChild Development, Osaka
University
Institute of Medical Science
Hospital, University ofTokyo
Ibaraki University, Faculty of
Science

Title

Research Project

Associate
Professor

Dissection of neural computation in single
cell networks

Professor

Studies on the underlying mechanisms forthe integration of cortical information

Professor
Professor

Development of novel therapeutic
Approach targeting skeletal muscle-liveradipose tissue network
Total synthesis of ustiloxin D via the aryl
ether formation of tert-alcohol

FY2014 Research Meeting Grant(JPY 400 thousand x 6 = 2.4 million)
Date(Place)Institution / Title

Name

22nd International Symposium on
1 The
Molecular Cell Biology of Macrophages

2014.6.2-3(Kobe)

Hyogo University of
Health Sciences, Schoolof Pharmacy / Professor

Toshiyuki Tanaka

Origins 2014: 2nd ISSOL The
International Astrobiology Society and2 Bioastronomy (Commission 51 of theInternational Astronomical Union) Joint
International Conference

2014.7.6 - 11
(Nara)

Nara Study Center, theOpen University ofJapan / Director

Kenji Ikehara

2014 C. elegans Development, Celland Gene Expression Meeting
3 Biology
in association with The 6th Asia-Pacific
C. elegans Meeting2014.7.15 - 19
(Nara)

Tohoku University,
Graduate School of Life
Sciences / Professor

Asako Sugimoto

4 39th International Herpesvirus Workshop

2014.7.19 - 23
(Kobe)

Kobe University,
Graduate School of
Medicine / Professor

Yasuko MoriInternational Symposium on MultiFluorescence Live Imaging
5 dimensionalof Cellular Functions and Molecular
Activities

2015.1.26 - 28
(Kyoto)Kyoto University,
Graduate School of
Biostudies / Professor

Michiyuki Matsuda#

Meeting- 147 -

第 28 期（2014 年度）助成事業報告

当財団は、文部大臣の認可を得て 1987 年 9 月 4 日に設立されて以来、研究助成を中心とした公益事業を行って来ました。2012 年 4 月 1 日には、制度改革に伴い、公益財団法人へ移行しております。2014 年度は、下記の総額 4,400 万円の助成事業を実施しました。
第 28 回ノバルティス研究奨励金

42 件（1 件 100 万円） 4,200 万円

研究集会助成5 件（1 件 40 万円）

200 万円

総額

4,400 万円

第 28 回ノバルティス研究奨励金 （2014 年度）
この事業は、生物・生命科学および関連する化学の領域において、我が国で行われれる創造的な研究の助成を目的としています。2014 年度は 42 件の助成を行いました。
（受付順、 敬称略、 所属職位は申請時 42 件、 贈呈額 ： 1 件 100 万円）
No

氏名

所属

職位

研究課題

1

金 城 雄 樹 国立感染症研究所真菌部

室長

高病原性クリプトコックス感染症に対する樹状細胞ワクチン効果の解析

2

藤 田 秋 一 鹿児島大学共同獣医学部教授

生体膜脂質トポロジーのナノスメール解析

3

須藤 雄気

岡山大学大学院医歯薬学総合研究科

教授

拡張型レチナールタンパク質による光生
命機能操作

4

増井 憲太

東京都医学総合研究所病院等
連携研究センター

主席 悪性脳腫瘍におけるがん代謝を利用した研究員 標的治療抵抗性機序の解明

5

佐貫 理佳子 大阪大学蛋白質研究所

助教

網膜介在神経細胞の細胞運命決定機構
の解明

6

松 本

准教授

３倍体プラナリアの減数分裂機構—染色体削減の雌雄差7石 田 裕 子 和歌山県立医科大学医学部講師

術後臓器癒着におけるケモカインシステムの病態生理学的役割解明および治療標
的の同定

8

櫻 井

教授

睡眠覚醒を制御する神経回路網の同定と機能解析

9

東 島 眞一自然科学研究機構岡崎統合
バイオサイエンスセンター准教授

脊髄内リズム運動生成回路の発生および機能解析

熊本大学大学院生命科学研究部

教授

SIRT7 による新たな褐色脂肪細胞機能制
御機構の解明緑 慶應義塾大学理工学部

武 金沢大学医薬保健研究域

10 山 縣 和 也

糖脂質を介した視床下部の炎症における11 稲森 啓一郎 東北薬科大学分子生体膜研究所 准教授 新規のメラノコルチン受容体シグナル制御
機構
12 沖

昌 也 福井大学大学院工学研究科

准教授- 148 -

DNA 損傷時にエピジェネティックに発現誘導される DDI2/3 の発現機構の解明

No

氏名

所属

職位

研究課題

名古屋市立大学大学院薬学研
究科教授

神経障害性疼痛に対する新薬の加工ブ
シからの開発14 田 村 宏 治 東北大学大学院生命科学研究科

教授

骨形態を制御するゲノムシステムの解明

自然科学研究機構基礎生物学研
究所

助教

水と塩の摂取行動の制御を司る神経回路の研究

16 早 川 一 郎 岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 准教授

高度縮環型アルカロイド ・ ユズリミン類の網羅的合成法の開発と機能開拓

17 家 田 真 樹 慶應義塾大学医学部

特任講師

安全かつ効率的な心筋直接リプログラミン
グ法の開発と心臓再生

18 平 岡 義 範 神戸学院大学薬学部

助教

哺乳類概日時計における温度補償性維持機構の解明19 生 島 弘 彬 東京大学生産技術研究所

特任助教

がん関連分子パターンによる抗腫瘍自然
免疫応答惹起機構の解明と制御

20 田 中 芳 彦 福岡歯科大学機能生物化学講座

教授

免疫細胞の分化と動きを制御する新規シ
グナル分子の機能解析

21 深 田 俊 幸 昭和大学歯学部

助教

リンパ球恒常性と悪性腫瘍における亜鉛
シグナルの役割とその分子機序の解明

助教

植物の小胞体ストレスを細胞レベルで可視化する実験系の確立

助教

マクロファージ飲作用を標的とした動脈硬化治療戦略の構築

13 牧 野 利 明

15 檜 山 武 史

22 岩 田 雄 二

大阪府立大学大学院生命環境科学研究科

23 宮 崎 拓 郎 昭和大学医学部
24 増 田 清 士

徳島大学大学院ヘルスバイオ
サイエンス研究部

講師

クロマチンリモデリング制御による DNA 損
傷ストレス応答機構と発がんメカニズムの解明

25 水 口 貴 章

東京医科歯科大学生体材料
工学研究所

助教

EGF 受容体の 「二量体化アーム」 を捕捉する新規蛍光プローブの創製

講師

アポ A-I 模倣ペプチドを用いた末梢動脈疾患に対する新規治療戦略

助教

RNA ウイルスによるレトロエレメント制御機
構の解析

教授

１分子計測法によるイオンチャネルゲー
ティングの研究教授

腸管特殊上皮 M 細胞におけるバリア欠
損メカニズムの解析

助教

H3K9 メチル化エピゲノムによる性決定遺伝子 Sry の発現制御機構の解明

助教

形質細胞様樹状細胞による慢性炎症疾
患制御の解明26 今 泉聡 福岡大学医学部

27 本 田 知 之 京都大学ウイルス研究所
28 井 出

徹 岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科

29 長 谷 耕 二 慶応義塾大学薬学部
30 黒 木 俊 介

徳島大学疾患酵素学研究セン
ター

31 高 木 秀 明 宮崎大学医学部
32 椴 山 儀 恵

自然科学研究機構分子科学研
不斉１, ３−アルキル移動反応の開発を基准教授
究所軸とする医薬品候補化合物の合成

33 中 川

富山大学先端ライフサイエンス
拠点

特命
助教

NAD 代謝を標的とした新規抗がん剤創薬のための基盤研究34 瀬 原 淳 子 京都大学再生医科学研究所

教授

筋再生能を保持した骨格筋幹細胞の試
験管内増殖法の開発

35 明 石教授

概日時計のロバストネスを制御する細胞内
機構の解析

准教授

２ヨウ化サマリウムを用いる新規環化反応の開発と天然物合成への応用

崇

真 山口大学時間学研究所

36 梅 澤 大 樹

北海道大学大学院地球環境
科学研究院- 149 -

No

氏名

所属

職位

研究課題

37 十 島 純 子 早稲田大学理工学術院

講師

GPCR のエンドサイトーシス機構の網羅的解析

38 笹 村 剛 司 大阪大学大学院理学研究科

助教

初代培養細胞を用いた細胞キラリティの検出とその形成機構の解析

39 小坂田 文隆

名古屋大学大学院創薬科学研
究科

講師

単一細胞ネットワーク解析による情報処理機構の解明

40 佐 藤大阪大学大学院連合小児発達
学研究科

教授

大脳皮質での脳情報統合機構解明への新たな基盤構築41 田 中 廣 壽 東京大学医科学研究所附属病院教授

骨格筋 - 肝 - 脂肪ネットワークを標的とした抗生活習慣病治療薬創製の分子基盤構築

格 茨城大学理学部教授

新規アリールエーテル化反応を利用した
生理活性天然物ウスチロキシン D の合成

42 佐 藤真2014 年度研究集会助成
この事業は、生物・生命科学および関連する化学の領域において、我が国で開催される国際色豊かな研究集会の助成を目的としています。2014 年度は 5 件の助成を行いました。
（受付順、敬称略、所属・職位は申請時、贈呈額：1 件 40 万円）
No

研究集会名

開催日
（開催地）

1

第 22 回マクロファージ分子生物
学国際シンポジウム

2014.6.2 ～ 3（神戸）兵庫医療大学薬学部 ・ 教授 田 中

稔之

2オリジンズ 2014 ： 第 2 回生命の起原とアストロバイロジー国際学会 - バイオアストロノミー合同大会

2014.7.6 ～ 11
（奈良）

東京薬科大学生命科学部 ・
山岸
教授

明彦

3

2014 年線虫発生生物学国際集会 ・ 第 6 回アジア - 太平洋線虫集会 合同大会

2014.7.15 ～ 19（奈良）東北大学大学院生命科学
研究科 ・ 教授

杉本 亜砂子

4

第 39 回国際ヘルペスウイルス
ワークショップ

2014.7.19 ～ 23（神戸）神戸大学大学院医学研究
科 ・ 教授森康

5「細胞機能と分子活性の多次元
蛍光生体イメージング」 国際シンポジウム

2015.1.26 ～ 28
（京都）京都大学大学院生命科学
研究科 ・ 教授

松田道行

- 150 -

所属・職位

氏名

子

28th Financial Report

Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2015
Account

Movement of Net Assets(Unit: JP Yen)

From April 1st, 2014 to March 31, 2015
(Unit: JP Yen)

AmountAccount

I Assets

I General Net Assets Changes

1. Current Assets

1. Ordinary Income & Expenditure

Current Assets Total

30,658,741

2. Fixed Assets(1) Basic Fund
Basic Fund Total

1,100,000,000(2) Other Long-term Assets
Other Long-term Assets Total
Fixed Assets Total
Assets Total

Amount(1) Ordinary Income
Donation

40,050,000

Ordinary Income Total

53,835,685(2) Ordinary Expenditure
Project Expenses

54,792,769

Grant Expense(44,000,000)

1,179,992,806

Novartis Research Grant

42,000,000

1,210,651,547

Research Meeting Grant

2,000,000

79,992,806

II Liabilities

Administrative Expense

4,139,709

1. Current Liabilities

Ordinary Expenditure Total

58,932,478

42,048,509

Ordinary Balance of Current Period△ 5,096,793

42,048,509

2. Nonrecurring Profit & Loss

Current Liabilities Total
Liabilities Total
III Equity (Net Assets)

Nonrecurring Balance of Current Period

01. Designated Net Assets

General Net Assets Ending Balance

168,603,038

Designated Net Assets Total

1,000,000,000(Amount appropriating to Basic Fund)(1,000,000,000)

2. General Net Assets(Amount appropriating to Basic Fund)

168,603,038(100,000,000)

Equity Total (Net Assets)

1,168,603,038

Liabilities & Equity Total

1,210,651,547- 151 -II Designated Net Assets Changes
Designated Net Assets Change0

Designated Net Assets Ending Balance 1,000,000,000
III Net Assets Balance Ending Balance

1,168,603,038

第 28 期（2014 年度）財務報告

貸借対照表

正味財産増減計算書

2015 年 3 月 31 日現在（単位：円）

科

目

金

額

科

Ⅰ資産の部

目

決算額

Ⅰ一般正味財産増減の部

１． 流動資産
流動資産合計2014 年 4 月 1 日から 2015 年 3 月 31 日まで（単位：円）

１． 経常増減の部
30,658,741(1) 経常収益

２． 固定資産受取寄付金

40,050,000(1) 基本財産

経常収益計

53,835,685

基本財産合計1,100,000,000(2) その他固定資産
その他固定資産合計
固定資産合計
資産合計

事業費

54,792,769

支払助成金

44,000,000

1,179,992,806

ノバルティス研究奨励金

42,000,000

1,210,651,547

研究集会助成金

2,000,000

79,992,806

管理費

4,139,709

経常費用計

58,932,478

42,048,509

当期経常増減額△ 5,096,793

42,048,509

2． 経常外増減の部

Ⅱ負債の部
１． 流動負債
流動負債合計負債合計(2) 経常費用

当期経常外増減額

Ⅲ正味財産の部
１． 指定正味財産

一般正味財産期末残高

0168,603,038

指定正味財産合計

1,000,000,000（うち基本財産への充当額）(1,000,000,000)

当期指定正味財産増減額

0168,603,038

指定正味財産期末残高

1,000,000,000２．一般正味財産（うち基本財産への充当額）
正味財産合計
負債及び正味財産合計(100,000,000)
1,168,603,038
1,210,651,547- 152 -

Ⅱ指定正味財産増減の部

Ⅲ正味財産期末残高

1,168,603,038

List of Board Members[Board of Trustees]

5 trustees, 2 auditors

As of Oct 1, 2015

Post

Name

Chairman

Akimichi KANEKO

Dean, Professor, MD, Graduate School of Health Science, Kio
University; Emeritus Professor, Keio University

Shigetaka ASANO

Visiting Professor, MD, School of Medicine, Kobe University;
Emeritus Professor, University of Tokyo

Masao ENDOH

Emeritus Professor, MD, Yamagata University

Toshio SUDA

Professor, MD, Kumamoto University, International ResearchCenter for Medical Sciences, Chairman and Excellent Professor

Michael FERRIS

President, Novartis Holding Japan K.K.;
Director, Novartis Pharma K.K.

Tokuzo NAKAJIMA

Certified Public Accountant

Masanori FUSE

Department Head, Region Finance, Novartis Pharma K.K.

Trustee

Auditor[Board of Councilors]
Post

Title

10 councilors

Name

Chairman Tsuneyoshi KUROIWA

Councilor

As of Oct 1, 2015
Title

Member of the Japan Academy;
Emeritus Professor, University of Tokyo Japan Women’s
University, Faculty of Sciences, Dept of Chemical and Biological
Sciences

Norio AKAIKE

Head, Kumamoto Kinoh Hospital Clinical Research Center
Visiting Professor, Kumamoto University, Graduate school of
Medicine and Pharmaceutical Research
Emeritus Professor, Kyushu University

Hiroyuki KAWASHIMA

Former Professor, Graduate School of Medical & Dental Sciences,
Niigata University

Shigeo KOYASU

Director, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences

Masakatsu SHIBASAKI

Director, Microbial Chemistry Research Center, Microbial
Chemistry Research Foundation

Akihiko NAKANOProfessor, University of Tokyo, Science Department; Team
Leader, RIKEN (Institute of Physical & Chemical Research)

Tohru HIROSE

Director, Division Head Japan Development, Novartis Pharma
K.K.

Max M. BURGER

Novartis Science Board;
Professor, MD, University of Basel

Tadanori MAYUMIEmeritus Professor, Osaka University

Miwako MORI

Professor, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido;
Emeritus Professor, Hokkaido University- 153 -

[Grantee Selection Committee] 20 members
Post

Name

Chairman Akihiro UMEZAWA

As of Oct 1, 2015
Title

Director, MD, National Institute for Child Health andDevelopment

Nobuya INAGAKI

Professor, MD, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University

Masanobu OHSHIMA

Professor, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University

Yoshihiro OGAWA

Director, Professor, MD, Graduate School of Medical and Dental
Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University

Motomu KANAI

Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of Tokyo

Koichiro KUWAHARA

Lecture, MD, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University

Shigeyuki KAWANO

Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University ofTokyo

Makoto SASAKI

Professor, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University

Yosuke TAKAHAMA

Professor, Institute for Genome Research, Tokushima University

Masafumi TAKIGUCHI

Professor, MD, Center for AIDS Research, Kumamoto University

Member Hiroyuki TSUTSUIProfessor, MD, School of Medicine, Hokkaido University

Hiroyuki NAKAMURA

Professor, Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology

Junichi NABEKURA

Professor, MD, National Institute for Physiological Sciences

Eisuke NISHIDA

Professor, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University

Mitsuyasu HASEBE

Professor, National Institute for Basic Biology

MD, Graduate School of Medicine, University of
Masanori HATAKEYAMA Professor,
Tokyo
Haruhiko BITO

Professor, MD, Graduate School of Medicine, University of
Tokyo

Tomoko BETSUYAKUProfessor, MD, School of Medicine, Keio University

Tetsuji MIURA

Professor, MD, Sapporo Medical University

Masato YASUIProfessor, MD, School of Medicine, Keio University- 154 -

公益財団法人ノバルティス科学振興財団

役 員 名 簿2015 年 10 月 1 日現在 ( 順不同、 敬称略 )
職

理

監

名

氏

名

現

職

常勤･非常勤金子 章道

畿央大学大学院健康科学研究科長･教授
慶應義塾大学名誉教授

2012 年 4 月 1 日

非常勤

浅野 茂隆

神戸大学大学院医学系研究科客員教授
東京大学名誉教授

2012 年 4 月 1 日

非常勤2012 年 4 月 1 日

非常勤

事 遠 藤 政 夫 山形大学名誉教授

事

就任年月日

須田 年生

熊本大学国際先端医学研究機構・機構長、卓越教授

2012 年 4 月 1 日

非常勤

マイケル・フェリス

ノバルティスホールディングジャパン㈱代表取締役社長、ノバルティス ファーマ㈱取締役

2014 年 6 月 6 日

非常勤

中嶋 德三

中嶋德三公認会計士事務所
公認会計士

2012 年 4 月 1 日

非常勤2012 年 4 月 1 日

非常勤

布施

正 則 ノバルティス ファーマ㈱経理・財務統括部長

評議員名簿2015 年 10 月 1 日現在 ( 順不同、 敬称略 )
職

名

氏

名

就任年月日

常勤･非常勤2012年 4月1日

非常勤

医療法人社団寿量会熊本機能病院臨床研究センター所長、 学術顧問
赤池 紀扶
2012年 4月1日
熊本大学大学院医学薬学研究部客員教授
九州大学名誉教授

非常勤川島 博行 元新潟大学大学院医歯学総合研究科教授

2012年 4月1日

非常勤

理化学研究所理事
小安 重夫 理化学研究所統合生命医科学研究センター所長

2012年 4月1日

非常勤

公益財団法人微生物化学研究会
微生物化学研究所長

2012年 4月1日

非常勤

東京大学大学院理学系研究科教授
中野 明彦 理化学研究所光量子工学研究領域チーム
リーダー

2012年 4月1日

非常勤

廣 瀬

2014 年9月9日

非常勤マックス ・ ノバルティス サイエンスボード
ブルガー バーゼル大学教授

2012年 4月1日

非常勤

眞弓 忠範 大阪大学名誉教授

2012年 4月1日

非常勤

2012年 4月1日

非常勤

評議員長 黒岩 常祥

評議員

柴崎 正勝

現

職

日本学士院会員
東京大学名誉教授

徹 ﾉﾊﾞﾙﾃｨｽ ﾌｧｰﾏ ( 株 ) 取締役開発本部長

森 美和子

北海道医療大学客員教授
北海道大学名誉教授- 155 -

選考委員名簿2015 年 10 月 1 日現在 ( 順不同、 敬称略 )
職

名

氏

名

現

就任年月日

常勤･非常勤2012年 6月15日

非常勤

稲 垣 暢 也 京都大学大学院医学研究科教授

2012年 6月15日

非常勤

大 島 正 伸 金沢大学がん進展制御研究所教授

2015 年 6月26日

非常勤

東京医科歯科大学大学院医歯学総合研究科
2014 年 6月6日
教授

非常勤選考委員長 梅 澤 明 弘

小川 佳宏
金 井

職

国立成育医療研究センター
再生医療センター長

求 東京大学大学院薬学系研究科教授

2014 年 6月6日

非常勤2015 年 6月26日

非常勤

河 野 重 行 東京大学大学院新領域創成科学研究科教授 2013 年 6月14日

非常勤

佐 々 木 誠 東北大学大学院生命科学研究科教授

2012年 6月15日

非常勤2015 年 6月26日

非常勤

滝 口 雅 文 熊本大学エイズ学研究センター教授

2015 年 6月26日

非常勤

筒 井 裕 之 北海道大学大学院医学研究科教授

2012年 6月15日

非常勤

中 村 浩 之 東京工業大学資源化学研究所教授

2013 年 6月14日

非常勤

鍋 倉 淳 一 自然科学研究機構生理学研究所教授

2013 年 6月14日

非常勤

西 田 栄 介 京都大学大学院生命科学研究科教授

2015 年 6月26日

非常勤

長谷部光泰 自然科学研究機構生理学研究所教授

2015 年 6月26日

非常勤

畠 山 昌 則 東京大学大学院医学系研究科教授

2013 年 6月14日

非常勤

尾 藤 晴 彦 東京大学大学院医学系研究科教授

2015 年 6月26日

非常勤

別 役 智 子 慶應義塾大学医学部教授

2013 年 6月14日

非常勤

三 浦 哲 嗣 札幌医科大学医学部教授

2013 年 6月14日

非常勤

安 井 正 人 慶應義塾大学医学部教授

2013 年 6月14日

非常勤桑原 宏一郎 京都大学大学院医学研究科講師

高浜 洋介

選考委員

徳島大学疾患プロテオゲノム研究センター教授- 156 -

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