群馬大学大学院 医学系研究科生命医科学専攻 入学案内2018（英語版）

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13Graduate School of Medicine　Eukaryotic cells are composed of several membrane-bound organelles. The shape and composition of organells are dynamically regulated during cell dierentiation and are also inuenced by various changes in the extracellular environment. We are interested in the regulation of organelle dynamics during animal development and use C. elegans as a model system. In particular, we explore the mechanisms and physiological roles of autophagy and endocytosis in fertilized eggs by using genetic and cell biological approaches.【Keywords】C. elegans, embryonic development, organelle, autophagy, endocytosis　To understand the physiopathology of multicellular organisms, it is important to know how dierentiated cells communicate with each other to regulate their function as a whole body. We especially focus on the basic biology of pancreatic beta cells, adipocytes, and immune cells, because of their involvement in the pathogenesis of endocrine, metabolic, and allergic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and asthma. We approach these themes at multiple levels from molecules to whole body, and by using varying techniques of molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics.【Keywords】genetically modied mouse, regulated exocytosis, endocrine, metabolic, and allergic disease, live cell imaging, cell sorting　The dysfunction of pancreatic cells or brown adipocytes can cause diabetes and metabolic syndrome. We aim to elucidate the mechanism involved in the maintenance of homeostasis in these higher-order function cells, which is the key to glucose metabolism, from a variety of viewpoints, including developmental biology, molecular biology, and physiology. Recent studies have indicated that zinc not only plays a crucial role in the maintenance of protein structure, but is also involved in intracellular and extracellular signal transduction. Our second aim is to clarify the role of zinc signaling in diabetes and obesity. Furthermore, using our ndings from basic medical research, we aim to establish a groundbreaking treatment for diabetes and obesity.【Keywords】 Pancreatic β cell, development, autophagy, brown adipocyte, zinc biology, glucose metabolism　In this laboratory, we are trying to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which metabolic syndrome occurs, using genetically manipulated animal models, such as knockout mice or transgenic mice. We hope that our research will contribute to the development of new strategies to treat or prevent diabetes and obesity.【Keywords】diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, transcription factor, knockout mouse, insulin, glucagon　A wide variety of intrinsic and environmental stresses induce cellular senescence, apoptosis and genomic instability. These “stress responses” underlie the pathogenesis of aging-related diseases and tumor development. Specically, we aim to clarify (i) the molecular mechanisms of oncogene-induced DNA replication stress in genomic instability and (ii) the regulatory role of HSF1, a master transcription factor of the heat shock response, in cellular senescence.【Keywords】DNA replication stress, genomic instability, carcinogenesis, heat shock transcription factor 1, cellular senescence　Epigenetics is the study of heritable codes other than genetic codes written in A, G, C, and T. Monozygotic twins have the same genetic information; however, they have dierent epigenetic information and phenotype. DNA methylation and histone modications (acetylation and methylation) serve as epigenetic code. Epigenetic status, namely, epigenome, is thought to be inuenced by the environment, such as food, infection, and chemicals. This reprogramming of the epigenome by the environment could cause diseases such as cancer, and diabetes. We are going to clarify the role of epigenetic anomalies in diseases such as cancer, diabetes and obesity.【Keywords】epigenetics, epigenome, DNA methylation, microarray, genome-wide analysisMiyuki Sato (Associate Professor)Molecular Membrane BiologyTetsuro IzumiMolecular Endocrinology and MetabolismDevelopmental Biology and MetabolismYoshio FujitaniTadahiro KitamuraMetabolic SignalingTakayuki YamashitaMolecular GeneticsIzuho HatadaGenome Sciences　With the decrease of neuroendocrine function, a variety of diseases increase, which include metabolic syndrome and neuronal disorders. To understand fundamental mechanisms on such human diseases, we investigate the biosynthesis and secretion of peptide hormones, and the regulation of cell survival and death, with use of molecular and cellular technical approaches. In a collaborative study with some engineering researchers, we are also developing uorescent or luminescent probes for analyzing cancer, diabetes, and ischemia.【Keywords】peptide hormones, insulin, uorescent probes, molecular imaging, tumor cells ,cell deathSeiji Torii (Associate Professor)Secretion Biology