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RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research Metabolic and Behavioral Physiology RIKEN ECL Research Team

RIKEN ECL Team Leader: Chisako Sakuma (Ph.D.)

Research Summary

Chisako Sakuma

Female mosquitoes alternate between a host-seeking phase and a reproductive phase, using nutrients from blood to mature eggs. Our lab investigates the molecular and physiological mechanisms regulating this gonotrophic cycle. We are particularly interested in how blood feeding is initiated or suppressed, and how internal factors control blood digestion, absorption, metabolism, and hormone-mediated tissue coordination during reproduction. We aim to identify key regulators of these processes and understand how they influence behavioral state transitions. By integrating neuroscience, endocrinology, and metabolism, we seek to uncover fundamental principles of mosquito biology and support the development of novel strategies for vector control.

Main Research Fields

  • Biology

Related Research Fields

  • Environmental Science
  • Biological Sciences
  • Animal physiological chemistry, physiology and behavioral biology-related
  • Insect Science-related
  • Parasitology-related

Keywords

  • Mosquito
  • Blood feeding
  • Reproductive cycle
  • Nutrient metabolism
  • Hormonal regulation

Selected Publications

Papers with an asterisk(*) are based on research conducted outside of RIKEN.

  • 1. Sakuma, C., Iwamoto, T., Masuda, K., Shimizu, Y., Obata, F., and Kanuka, H.:
    "Fibrinopeptide A-induced blood-feeding arrest in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti"
    Cell Reports 43,114354. (2024).
  • 2. Kato, Y. and Sakuma, C.:
    "Extrinsic and intrinsic regulation of blood feeding in mosquitoes"
    Current Opinion in Insect Science 65, 101221. (2024).
  • 3. *Sakuma, C., Maekawa, E., and Kanuka, H.:
    "Key Features and Considerations for Using Automated Long-Term Monitoring of Heat-Seeking Behavior of Mosquitoes"
    Cold Spring harbor Protocols 11, 107665. (2023).
  • 4. *Sakuma, C., Maekawa, E., and Kanuka, H.:
    "Automated Long-Term Monitoring of the Heat-Seeking Behavior of Mosquitoes"
    Cold Spring harbor Protocols 11, 108173. (2023).
  • 5. *Sakuma, C. and Kanuka H.:
    "A simple and affordable method for estimating the fluid volume a mosquito sucks using food dyes"
    Tropical Medicine and Health 49, 13. (2021).
  • 6. *Sakuma, C., Saito, Y., Umehara, T., Kamimura, K., Maeda, M., Mosca, T.J., Miura, M., and Chihara, T.
    "Strip-Hippo Pathway Regulates Synaptic Terminal Formation by Modulating Actin Organization at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Synapses"
    Cell Reports 16(9), 2289-97. (2016).
  • 7. *Sakuma, C., Okumura, M., Umehara, T., Miura, M., and Chihara, T.:
    "A STRIPAK component Strip regulates neuronal morphogenesis by affecting microtubule stability"
    Scientific Reports 5, 17769. (2015).
  • 8. *Sakuma, C., Kawauchi, T., Haraguchi, S., Shikanai, M., Vladimir, G.I., Luo, L., Miura, M., Chihara, T.:
    "Drosophila Strip serves as a platform for early endosome organization during axon elongation"
    Nature Communications 5, 5180. (2014).

Publications

Related Links

Lab Members

Principal investigator

Chisako Sakuma
RIKEN ECL Team Leader

Core members

Yusuke Kato
Student Trainee
Okiko Habara
Research Part-time Worker I

Contact Information

Developmental Biology Building C
2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku,
Kobe, Hyogo
650-0047, Japan
Email: chisako.sakuma@riken.jp

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