Molecular Biochemistry
Masami NAGAHAMA, Ph.D., Professor
Yoichi ISHIDA, Ph.D., Research Associate
The aim of our research is to illuminate the roles of chaperone-like AAA ATPase family, which generally stimulate disassembly of macromolecular complexes, in functional regulations of mammalian cells. Currently we are focusing on following projects.
- 1. Ribosome biogenesis and rRNA metabolism:Ribosome biogenesis and rRNA metabolism in mammalian cells require many trans-acting factors such as ribonucleases and RNA helicases, which assemble into pre-ribosomes via ordered multiple-step interactions. We are analyzing functions of AAA ATPase NVL2 in regulating the molecular interactions during this process.
- 2. ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD): Misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are dislocated into the cytosol and then degradated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This process is called ER-associated degradation (ERAD), and its relationship with various neurodegenerative diseases has been suggested. We are analyzing functions of AAA ATPase VCP/p97 and its cofactors, which play critical roles in the dislocation and ubiquitylation steps of the substrate proteins during ERAD.
