Toyoaki Natsume

National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and SystemsAssistant Professor*Profile is at the time of the award.

2018Inamori Research GrantsBiology & Life sciences

Research topics
The auxin-inducible degron technology reveals diverse roles of the SMC complexes and molecular mechanisms of human diseases caused by their mutations
Keyword
Summary
Chromosomal DNA in the nucleus carries genetic information essential for building up organisms. It is of critical importance for organisms to precisely transmit chromosome DNA to daughter cells and offspring for the maintenance of life and species, respectively. Failure in this process could lead to development of cancer and various genetic disorders. To archive faithful chromosome transmission, highly-conserved multi-protein complexes, called Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) complexes, play pivotal roles, and the human genome encodes three distinct complexes; cohesin, condensin, and SMC5/6. I am taking molecular cytogenetic approaches to understand the roles of SMC complexes in human cells. Especially, I am making the most of a technology to quickly degrade a protein of interest called the auxin-inducible degron (AID). Through this study, I aim to understand the function of SMC complexes in detail and to elucidate molecular mechanism of various genetic disorders caused by malfunction of SMC complexes.

Message from recipient

I would like to thank Inamori Foundation for aiding me with my research. Thanks to this research grant, I am able to conduct much more extended researches than I initially planned. In addition, being selected as the scholar itself is always motivating me. Through the analysis of SMC complexes, I would like to contribute to the advancement of basic researches as well as human healthcare.

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Biology & Life sciences