RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research Laboratory for Neuroepitranscriptomics

Team Leader: Dan Ohtan Wang (Ph.D.)

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Research Summary

The “brain” and “RNA” are the two keywords associated with our research. Using dynamic synapses and their association with intellectual ability, memory, and susceptibility to neurological disorders as the conceptual framework, we are studying the role of a novel RNA neuroepigenetic mechanism in the central nervous system in synapse function. The outcome of this quest will allow us to understand the regulatory mechanisms of gene networks for experience-based behavioral changes and diseases, over the course of our lifespan. Our research is supported by the current revolution in quantitative and omics technology, fluorescence imaging, and genetic animal model systems.

Main Research Fields

Biology

Related Research Fields

Neurosciences
Molecular biology
Cell biology

Keywords

RNA chemical modification
Synapse
Post-transcriptional regulation
Translational control
Neuropsychiatric diseases

Selected Publications

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

1. *Madugalle SU Meyer K, Wang DO, and Bredy TW.:
"RNA N-Methyladenosine and the Regulation of RNA Localization and Function in the Brain."
Trends Neurosci. (2020) (/10.1016/j.tins.2020.09.005)
2. *Wang DO.:
"RNA modifications in the central nervous system."
Oxford Handbook on Neuronal Protein synthesis.: (10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190686307.013.23)
3. *Roy R, Shiina N, Wang DO.:
"More dynamic, more quantitative, unexpectedly intricate: advanced understanding on synaptic RNA localization in learning and memory."
Neurobiol Learn and Mem. 168 (2020)
4. *Wang DO.:
"Mapping m6A and m1A with mutational signatures."
Nat Methods. (2019) DOI:10.1038/s41592-019-0636-z.
5. *Kashida S, Wang DO, Saito H, Gueroui Z.:
"Nanoparticle-based local translation reveals mRNA as translation-coupled scaffold with anchoring function."
PNAS, 116(27), 13346-13351 (2019)
6. *Merkurjev D, Hong WT, Iida K, Goldie BJ, Yamaguti H, Oomoto I, Ohara T, Kawaguchi S, Hirano T,
Martin KC, Pellegrini M, Wang DO.:
"Synaptic N6 methyladenosine (m6A) reveals functional partitioning of localized transcripts."
Nature Neuroscience, 21, 1004–1014 (2018)
7. *Oomoto I, Hirano-Suzuki A, Umeshima H, Han YW, Yanagisawa H, Carlton P, Harada Y, Kengaku M, Okamoto A, Shimogori T, and Wang DO.:
"ECHO-liveFISH: in vivo RNA Labeling Reveals Dynamic Regulation of Nuclear RNA Foci in Living Tissues."
Nucl Acids Res (2015) DOI:10.1093/narlgkv614
8. *Meer E#, Wang DO,# Kim SM, Barr I, Guo F, and Martin KC.:
"Identification of a cis-element that localizes mRNA to synapses."
PNAS 109 (12): 4639-44 (2012) (#Equal contribution)
9. *Wang DO, Martin KC, and Zukin RS.:
"Spatially restricting gene expression by local translation at synapses."
Trends Neurosci. 33(4):173-82 (2010)
10. *Wang DO, Kim SM, Zhao Y, Hwang HG, Miura SK, Sossin WS, and Martin KC.:
"Synapse- and stimulus-specific local translation during long-term neuronal plasticity."
Science. 324(5934): 1536-40.(2009)

Events

Lab Members

Principal investigator

Dan Ohtan Wang: Team Leader

Core members

Kotaro Mizuta: Senior Scientist
Sefan Asamitsu: Visiting Researcher
Loic Christian Broix: Visiting Researcher
Sarayut Phasuk: Postdoctoral Researcher
Shengqun Hou: Junior Research Associate
Momoe Sukegawa: Student Trainee
Kangwei Zheng: Student Trainee
Erdong Zhou: Student Trainee
Wan-Ting Hong: Junior Research Associate

Contact Information

Email: ohtan [at] riken.jp