* in Japanese
The RTK-Ras-MAPK systems make a group of intracellular reaction networks for cell signaling. Even though most of the components and structures are common to every member of RTK-Ras-MAPK systems, excitation of each system induces different cellular response including stimulation of proliferation, suppression of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. These systems are also used for polarization and taxis of cells. Using RTK-Ras-MAPK as the experimental systems, we are coping with various research projects. Our final goal is to understand the origin of flexible cellular behavior based on protein reactions.

Research Projects

1.Single-molecule analysis cell signaling networks*

Reactions and dynamics of epidermal growth factor receptor and nerve growth factor receptor Interactions between small GTPases and their effector proteins

2.Characterization of the fluctuations observed in intracellular reactions*

Response function of cell signaling network and its cell-to-cell fluctuation Correlations between reaction and structural dynamics of cell signaling proteins Propagation of reaction fluctuations over intracellular reaction networks

3.Development of new techniques of optical microscopy*

Improvement of single-molecule imaging techniques Development of techniques to regulate signal inputs to cells Development of new fluorescence probes to detect molecular reactions

4.Reconstitution of cell signaling systems*

Reconstitution of RTK-Ras-MAPK systems in semi-intact cells Reconstitution of protein networks in E. coli cells

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Research Projects

  • Publication List*
  • Members*
  • Access*
Access Address

2-1 Hirosawa, Wako 351-0198, Japan

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