Development of new technology to visualize cellular proteins without genetic manipulation

Project Gist

Challenge for new life science/chemistry with technology innovation driven by fusion of multiple research areas

Keywords

Endogenous protein, Bio-imaging, Technology innovation, Life chemistry

Background and Purpose

AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. Disregulation of AMPAR function is associated with many kinds of neurological, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. In order to visualize endogenous AMPARs in neuron and brain slices, we sought to develop novel chemical labeling reagents of AMPARs, on the basis of our original strategy of ligand-directed chemistry. Also, new techniques of labeling and imaging of other receptors involved in neurological disease and/or tumors are also invented.

Project Achievements

The tight collaboration between members of SPIRITS project provided a new finding of dynamics of AMPARs localized in synapses of cultured neuron and brain slices, that is less mobile (exchangeable) than previously considered on the basis of data obtained by other indirect methods, and which was reported in Nature Communication in 2017. Also, thanks to invaluable advices and comments from the SPIRITS members, our proposal (chemistry in multimolecular crowding biosystems) led by Hamachi was adopted as a new project of Grant-in-aid for scientific research on innovative areas (research in a proposed research area) by MEXT.

Future Prospects

We would like to expand the new project adopted as a program of Grant-in-aid for scientific research on innovative areas (research in a proposed research area) that is financially supported by MEXT. Using such schemes and tightening the domestic and international networks, we also try to encourage young generation who are interested in the interdisciplinary area between chemistry, engineering, biology and medicine.

Figure

Principal Investigator