Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology
Institute for Protein ResearchProfessor
Associate Professor

Takahisa FURUKAWA
Taro CHAYA

takahisa.furukawa

Assistant Professor

Hung-Ya TU

hung-ya.tu

taro.chaya

URL: http://www.protein.osaka-u.ac.jp/furukawa̲lab/

Using the mouse as a model
Analysis of the regulatoryorganism, our laboratory aims tomechanism of development andelucidate the molecular mechanisms function of the central nervousof vertebrate central nervous
system by non-coding RNAs
system development using a wide(non-coding RNAs)
range of methodologies, including
molecular biology, developmental
In recent years, it has become clear thatmicroRNAs (miRNAs), small RNAs of 18engineering, histology, andphysiology, to elucidate the principles 25 nucleotides, are transcribed in large
numbers in various species. MicroRNAs
underlying the construction andfunctional expression of the nervous suppress the expression of target genes
with complementary sequences and aresystem. Using the retinal visual
thought to be involved in various biologicalsystem as a model system, we arephenomena such as development,
studying how the genetic program
differentiation, metabolism, neurology, andinscribed in the chromosomal
carcinogenesis. We have shown thatgenome produces a variety of
microRNA-124a, which is expressed
specifically in the central nervous system,neurons, forms precise neuralis essential for normal neural circuit
circuits, and leads toneurophysiological functions in vivo. formation in the hippocampus and for thesurvival of retinal pyramidal cells. We are
Furthermore, we are actively
focusing on microRNAs and longcontributing to medical problems
noncoding RNAs expressed in the central
such as how abnormalities in eachnervous system, as they play important
step from genes to physiologicalroles. We aim to elucidate the biological
functions lead to human diseases
functions and mechanisms of action ofand how they can be solved. Our goal noncoding RNAs to reveal newis to "integrate the understanding of mechanisms of gene regulation in thecentral nervous system development central nervous system.
from genes to individual physiological
functions and human diseases.
Analysis of molecular systems
involved in neuronal
Analysis of molecular mechanisms
differentiationof synapse formation
How is the cell fate of the 100 billion
The retina is the tissue of the central nervous neurons in the human brain correctly
determined? How much do epigenetic
system and forms a beautiful layered structure
factors come into play? We have focusedwith morphologically simple and distinct
on photoreceptor cells, the light-receiving
neuron morphology. Synaptic sites are welldefined and synaptic terminals can be precisely neurons of the retina, to understand how
their fate is determined from theverified by electron microscopy. Although weperspective of transcriptional regulation.
have made relative progress in understanding
We have discovered that photoreceptor
the mechanisms of how axons stretch toward
their targets in recent years, the molecularfate is determined by "chain activation ofmechanisms of specific synaptic connections to transcription factors. We are also
investigating gene regulation of retinal
create precise circuits are still poorly
neuron development, and using retinalunderstood. We have isolated a novel
neurons as a model, we aim to elucidate
extracellular matrix protein, picatulin, andfound that picatulin functions as a specificthe entire mechanism from neuron fate
determination to final differentiation at thesynapse-forming molecule between
in vivo level.
photoreceptor and bipolar cells by binding to
There are several other projects indystroglycan. We are now working to elucidate
the molecular mechanisms of retinalprogress. Please contact us if you areinterested.
synaptogenesis and neural circuit formation.

Figure 1 Three-dimensional tomographic analysis ofretinal ribbon synapses using an ultra-high-voltage
electron microscope. No bipolar cell nerve endings
enter the ribbon synapses of the retina in picatulin KO.

Figure 2. miR-124a-deficient (KO) mice brains show
abnormal invasion of lichen fibers into the CA3 region,
with failure of circuit formation of lichen fibers andCA3 pyramidal cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus
in the correct location.
The more I study, the more I am
amazed at the incredibly
sophisticated and profoundmechanisms of living organisms!
Why don't you join us in uncovering
the wonders of life?

Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University
3-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
TEL: +81-6-6879-8631FAX : +81-6-6879-8633
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