Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo

Department of Biological Sciences
Graduate School of Science
The University of Tokyo

Labs Wakasugi Lab

JP

Affiliated Division, Joint faculties / Faculties in other departments of University of Tokyo Wakasugi Lab Molecular Life Science

Laboratory Website

Professor Keisuke Wakasugi

Subject of research

  1. 1. Elucidating the physiological functions of globin proteins in vertebrates
  2. 2. Understanding functional mechanisms and evolution of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that regulate angiogenesis
  3. 3. Creation of novel functional proteins focusing on molecular evolution

Exploring the "Mystery of Life" at the Molecular Level

We aim to explore the “mystery of life” at the molecular level by searching for novel functions of natural proteins and by artificially modifying or designing functional proteins. For example, in our investigation of new functions of natural proteins, we discovered that aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, which play essential roles in protein translation, are secreted from cells and, upon cleavage, act as cytokines and regulators of angiogenesis. We are currently continuing our efforts to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these noncanonical functions. Furthermore, we are investigating the molecular evolutionary inevitability behind the acquisition of these noncanonical roles. As part of our research on the artificial design of novel proteins, based on the “molecular evolution hypothesis” that proposes proteins with diverse functions can evolve through the modular shuffling of structural and functional domains, we aim to create novel proteins capable of regulating cellular differentiation, apoptosis, and development.