Research Areas
Over 50% of proteins are glycosylated and glycosylation reaction is one of the most important posttranslational modifications of proteins. The sugar chains have different kinds of function, which we are unable to understand from the research on DNA, RNA and proteins. This project focuses on structure and functions of glycoproteins, and we aim to elucidate (1) abnormality of signaling via membrane receptor glycans, and its underlying mechanism of diseases, (2) novel metabolic pathway of free glycans and its role in the quality control of glycoproteins, (3) tertiary structures of glycans and their roles in molecular recognition, and to develop (4) single-molecule imaging of glycans. Through the above researches, we will pursue the basic research, which may develop biomarkers and therapeutics of the diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases, life style-related diseases, and neuromuscular degenerative diseases.
Research Subject
- Glycans in the growth receptors and underlying mechanism of diseases
- Molecular mechanism of non-lysosomal catabolic pathway for N-glycans
- Development of conformational analysis of glycans