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Pharmaceutical Cell Biochemistry Lab
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A lab that explores the mechanisms of cancer and anticancer drugs through the regulation of chromosomal DNA replication.
AboutAbout the lab
Exploring carcinogenesis and drug discovery through the regulation of DNA replication.
The Pharmaceutical Cell Biochemistry Lab studies how the replication of chromosomal DNA is regulated within the cell cycle.
The lab investigates the mechanism behind the idea that when this regulation breaks down, chromosomes become unstable, which can lead to carcinogenesis.
Focusing on the differences between normal cells and cancer cells, the lab also works on developing molecularly targeted anticancer drugs.
On its website, the lab invites anyone interested to visit the lab at any time.
Key terms
- Cell cycle
- The series of steps a cell goes through until it divides and multiplies. DNA replication takes place at a set point within this cycle
- Pre-replicative complex
- A group of proteins required for DNA replication. It is assembled and disassembled periodically within the cell cycle
- Cdt1
- One of the factors that form the pre-replicative complex. It is central to the regulation of the start of DNA replication
- Ubiquitin ligase
- An enzyme that tags proteins and directs them to degradation. It is also involved in regulating the amount of Cdt1
ResearchResearch themes
Chromosomal DNA must be replicated accurately and only once within the cell cycle. This lab studies the mechanisms that regulate this process, the link between its breakdown and chromosomal instability and carcinogenesis, and the search for anticancer drugs that target cancer cells.
*Illustrative imageCell cycle regulation of the initiation of DNA replication
In human cells, replication starts simultaneously from many replication origins, so a mechanism is needed to ensure replication occurs only once per cell cycle. The key is the periodic assembly and disassembly of the pre-replicative complex, and the lab investigates its molecular mechanism.
*Illustrative imageThree enzymes that regulate Cdt1
The lab has shown that Cdt1, which is central to the regulation of replication initiation, has its degradation controlled by three ubiquitin ligases. The enzyme responsible for degradation differs depending on the state of the cell, such as S phase or the quiescent phase.
*Illustrative imageDisruption of Cdt1 and carcinogenesis
When regulation of Cdt1 breaks down, re-replication and chromosomal damage occur. This is thought to produce chromosomal instability that can lead to carcinogenesis. In fact, cancer cells produce large amounts of Cdt1.
*Illustrative imageSearch for anticancer drugs that target cancer cells
The lab found that enhancing the activity of Cdt1 causes more damage in cancer cells than in normal cells. It is searching for compounds that block the binding of Cdt1 to geminin, a protein that inhibits Cdt1, and thereby suppress the growth of cancer cells.
MembersFaculty
Members of the Pharmaceutical Cell Biochemistry Lab include faculty and students at the doctoral, master's, and undergraduate levels.As of 2025
- ProfessorMasatoshi Fujita
- Assistant ProfessorYoko Katsuki
- Assistant ProfessorMiyako Shiraishi
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Células de cebolla aumento total 100X en división celular” BioGenZambrano / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Cell cycle regulation of the initiation of DNA replication: “Chromosome Terminology” Christinelmiller / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Three enzymes that regulate Cdt1: “Ubiquitin cartoon” en:User:Rogerdodd / Public domain (cropped)
- Disruption of Cdt1 and carcinogenesis: “Cancer progression from NIH” 作者不詳 / Public domain (cropped)
- Search for anticancer drugs that target cancer cells: “Killer T cells surround a cancer cell” The National Institutes of Health / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Molecular Biology Lab): “Blue-white test” Stefan Walkowski / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (International Chemical and Physical Pharmaceutical Sciences Lab): “Probable Nucleic Acid precipitated” michael / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Pharmacokinetics Lab): “Pharmacy, Medicine Store, DrugsBank” ManzoorRph / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Pharmaceutics Lab): “Biological clock human-no” User:Soulkeeper / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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