Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

In the central nervous system (CNS), which comprises the eyes, spinal cord, and brain, neural cells are produced by the repeated division of neural stem cells (NSCs) during the development of the CNS. Contrary to the notion that the CNS is relatively static with a limited cell turnover, cells with stem cell-like properties have been isolated from most neural tissues. The microenvironment, also known as the NSC niche, consists of NSCs/neural progenitor cells, other neurons, glial cells, and blood vessels; this niche is thought to regulate neurogenesis and the differentiation of NSCs into neurons and glia. Although it has been established that neurons, glia, and blood vessels interact with each other in a complex manner to generate neural tissues in the NSC niche, the underlying molecular mechanisms in the CNS niche are unclear. Herein, we would like to introduce the extracellular secreted protein, Akhirin (AKH; Akhi is the Bengali translation for eye). AKH is specifically expressed in the CNS niche-the ciliary body epithelium in the retina, the central canal of the spinal cord, the subventricular zone, and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus-and is supposedly involved in NSC niche regulation. In this review, we discuss the role of AKH as a niche molecule during mouse brain formation.

DOI： 10.3390/jdb9030029

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Although ribosomes are generally known to be a translational machinery, some ribosomal proteins also have accessory functions involving early development and differentiation. Previously, we reported that ribosome incorporation into human dermal fibroblasts generated embryoid body-like cell clusters, altered cellular fate, and differentiated into cells of all 3 germ layers. However, the molecular phenomena induced by ribosome incorporation in the cell remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that ribosome incorporation into human breast cancer cell MCF7 leads to ribosome-induced cell clusters (RICs) formation accompanying with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like gene expression. Following ribosome incorporation, MCF7 cells cease proliferation, which is caused by inhibition of cell cycle transition from G0 to G1 phase. Further, MCF7 RICs show induced expression of EMT markers, TGF-β1 and Snail along with autophagy markers and tumor suppressor gene p53. These findings indicate that the incorporation of ribosome into cancer cells induces an EMT-like phenomenon and changes the cancer cell characteristics.

DOI： 10.1159/000513908

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Specialized microenvironment, or neurogenic niche, in embryonic and postnatal mouse brain plays critical roles during neurogenesis throughout adulthood. The subventricular zone (SVZ) and the dentate gyrus (DG) of hippocampus in the mouse brain are two major neurogenic niches where neurogenesis is directed by numerous regulatory factors. Now, we report Akhirin (AKH), a stem cell maintenance factor in mouse spinal cord, plays a pivotal regulatory role in the SVZ and in the DG. AKH showed specific distribution during development in embryonic and postnatal neurogenic niches. Loss of AKH led to abnormal development of the ventricular zone and the DG along with reduction of cellular proliferation in both regions. In AKH knockout mice (AKH−/−), quiescent neural stem cells (NSCs) increased, while proliferative NSCs or neural progenitor cells decreased at both neurogenic niches. In vitro NSC culture assay showed increased number of neurospheres and reduced neurogenesis in AKH−/−. These results indicate that AKH, at the neurogenic niche, exerts dynamic regulatory role on NSC self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation during SVZ and hippocampal neurogenesis.

Other Link： https://doi.org/10.1111/dgd.12646

Event date： 2022.11

Language：English   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：San Diego   Country：United States  

Event date： 2022.6 - 2022.7

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：沖縄コンベンションセンター   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2021.11

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：オンライン   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2023.3 - 2022.3

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：オンライン開催   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2021.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：パシフィコ横浜   Country：Japan