Molecular Biology

Cancer, heart disease and brain disease are three major causes of death in Japan and occupy the two-third of causes of death. These are lifestyle-related diseases and are influenced by many environmental factors. To reveal the pathology of these diseases, the elucidation of various events in cells as well as environmental factors causing lifestyle-related disease is required.

We analyze the molecular function of factors involved in the lifestyle-related disease and aim to elucidate the molecular mechanism of these diseases.

1) Analysis of the molecular mechanism of obesity.

We identified novel gene X as a factor induced at the early stage of adipocyte differentiation. When novel gene X was introduced into the non-differentiating fibroblasts, these cells differentiate to adipocyte. The red stains indicate oil droplets, which cause the obesity. We make clear the functions of X on adipocyte conversion and drive for development of anti-obesity drugs.

2) Analysis of malignant transformation mediated by epigenetic deregulation.

Transition of epigenetic status induces changes of chromatin structure and regulates gene function (left panel). We analyze epigenetic status in tumor marker-positive cells (stained brown in right panel) and intend to apply our achievements to development of cancer therapy, drug discovery, and diagnosis.