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Lecturer, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University *Profile is at the time of the award.
2023Inamori Research GrantsBiology & Life sciences
I am fascinated by the mystery of the phenomenon of phase separation, in which proteins assemble autonomously and acquire ordered structure and function, and I am constantly amazed by this phenomenon in my research.
Aiming to manipulate liquid-liquid phase separation at synapses, we worked on establishing a computational model, comprehensively identifying co-condensation factors, and developing tools for the optogenetic manipulation of synaptic proteins. In establishing the computational model, we found that changes in surface tension generated by structural flexibility, in addition to binding valency, are crucial for phase separation and the formation of sub-phases within the condensate. In the comprehensive identification of co-condensation factors, we were able to identify multiple presynaptic terminal factors likely to co-condense with phase separation drivers. With the optogenetic tools, we induced synapse shrinkage through attempts to reduce binding valency using photocleavable proteins. This suggests the possibility of suppressing phase separation within the microenvironment of the synapse.
Vikas Pandey, Tomohisa Hosokawa et al. (2025) Multiphasic protein condensation governed by shape and valency Cell Reports 44 (4) doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115504
Biology & Life sciences
