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Laboratory for Motor Neuron Disease
Koji YAMANAKA
Laboratory Head
Koji YAMANAKA
(M.D., Ph.D.)
mail

Research Areas

The molecular mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases such as motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS) remains unknown. Therefore, therapeutic strategy has not been established. Our laboratory aims to elucidate the mechanism of onset and progression of motor neuron disease, which have been shown to be derived from the pathological changes within different cell types; motor neurons and glial cells. We will analyze inherited ALS, using mouse, cell culture, and in vitro system as models. Based on these studies, we expect to design the therapeutic interventions for the sporadic ALS patients in future.

Research Subject

  1. To elucidate the alteration of protein turnover and RNA mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases.
  2. The role of glial cells in disease progression of ALS.
  3. Uncovering molecular machinery essential for the survival of motor neurons through generating new mouse model for ALS.

Related links

  1. RIKEN Brain Science Institute Website_Laboratories PageNew Window

Press release

March 05, 2009
Elucidating the accentuation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by the reduced SOD1 enzymic activity in Schwann cells, suggesting a possibility for a new ALS therapy through normalizing Schwann cells
February 04, 2008
Illuminating the genetic mechanisms of Lou Gehrig's disease
Recent research improves our understanding of this devastating condition at the genetic level.New Window

RIKEN RESEARCH

May 23, 2008
New potential to curb a neurodegenerative disease
Researchers pinpoint viable cellular targets for therapies to slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosisNew Window

List of Selected Publications

  1. Lobsiger CS, Boillee S, McAlonis-Downes M, Khan AM, Feltri ML, Yamanaka K, Cleveland DW.:
    "Schwann cells expressing dismutase active mutant SOD1 unexpectedly slow disease progression in ALS mice."
    Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 106: 4465-70, (2009).
  2. Yamanaka K, Boillee S, Roberts EA, Garcia ML, McAlonis-Downes M, Mikse OR, Cleveland DW, Goldstein LSB.:
    "Mutant SOD1 in cell types other than motor neurons and oligodendrocytes accelerates onset of disease in ALS mice."
    Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 105: 7594-7599, (2008).
  3. Yamanaka, K., Chun SJ., Boillee, S., Fujimori-Tonou, N., Yamashita, H., Gutmann DH., Takahashi, R., Misawa, H., Cleveland, DW.:
    "Astrocytes as determinants of disease progression in inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis."
    Nature Neuroscience, 11, 251-253 (2008).
  4. Yamashita H, Kawamata J, Okawa K, Kanki R, Nakamizo T, Hatayama T, Yamanaka K, Takahashi R, Shimohama S.:
    "Heat-shock protein 105 interacts with and suppresses aggregation of mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase; clues to a possible strategy for treating ALS."
    J. Neurochem., 102, 1497-1505 (2007)
  5. Boillee, S., Yamanaka, K., Lobsiger, CS., Copeland, NG., Jenkins, NA., Kassiotis, G., Kollias, G., Cleveland, DW.:
    "Onset and Progression in Inherited ALS determined by Motor Neurons and Microglia"
    Science, 312, 1389-1392 (2006).
  6. Yamanaka, K., Miller, TM., McAlonis-Downes, M., Chun, SJ., Cleveland, DW.:
    "Progressive axonal degeneration and slowness in ALS2-deficient mice"
    Ann. Neurol., 60, 95-104 (2006).
  7. Miller TM, Kim SH, Yamanaka K, Hester M, Umapathi P, Arnson H, Rizo L, Mendell JR, Gage FH, Cleveland DW, Kaspar BK.:
    "Gene transfer demonstrates that muscle is not a primary target for non-cell autonomous toxicity in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis."
    Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 103, 19546-19551 (2006).
  8. Smith, RA., Miller, TM., Yamanaka, K., Monia, BP., Condon, TP., Hung, G., Lobsiger, CS., Ward, CM., McAlonis-Downes, M., Wei, H., Wancewicz, EV., Bennett, CF., Cleveland, DW.:
    "Antisense Oligonucleotides as a Therapy for Neurodegenerative diseases"
    J. Clin. Invest., 116, 2290-2296 (2006).
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