Biochemistry
Kiyoto MOTOJIMA, Ph.D., Professor
Kyouichiro AZUMA, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Hiroaki URABE, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Our laboratory studies the physiological role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in the regulation of lipid homeostasis and xenobiotic detoxification. The PPARs play an essential role in lipid metabolism by regulating the gene expression of many key enzymes that are clinically relevant for a number of diseases including obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. However, our present understanding of PPAR functions is mostly based on results that have been obtained from model systems, such as cultured cell lines. We have been studying the physiological functions of PPARs at the whole body level. The molecular mechanisms of beneficial and abortive actions of the drugs targeted to PPARs and other lipid lowering drugs are also our research subjects.
Recent publications include:
- B. Ashibe, et al., Dual subcellular localization in the endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes and their vital role in protecting against oxidative stress of fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase are achieved by alternative splicing, J Biol Chem 282 (2007) 20763-20773.
- Y. Yokoi, et al., Regulated expression by PPARalpha and unique localization of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 11 protein in mouse intestine and liver, Febs J 274 (2007) 4837-4847.
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