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Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Lab
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The lab studies signaling by GPCRs, which are key drug discovery targets.
AboutAbout the lab
Understanding G protein-coupled receptors at the structural, cellular, and organismal levels
The lab studies G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are major drug targets, and the molecules that function downstream of them.
By clarifying the diverse roles GPCRs play at the structural, cellular, and organismal levels, the lab aims to identify new drug targets and create better therapeutics.
The lab specializes in methods that detect the activation of GPCRs and their downstream signaling in cultured cells, and combines them with genetics such as genome editing, as well as biochemistry, pharmacology, structural biology, and cell biology.
Professor Inoue also serves as a Professor at the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University.
Key terms
- G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)
- A receptor located in the cell membrane. It acts as a sensor that detects substances outside the cell, such as hormones.
- Heterotrimeric G protein
- A signal-transducing molecule that acts inside the cell when a GPCR is activated. It is broadly classified into Gs, Gi, Gq, and G12.
- Designer GPCR
- An artificial GPCR that does not respond to its original ligand and is activated by a specific artificial ligand.
NewsLab news
A paper first-authored by a doctoral student was published in Eur J Pharmacol
A paper first-authored by a doctoral student was published in Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis
An undergraduate student received the Young Investigator Excellent Presentation Award at the 97th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Biochemical Society
A paper first-authored by a master's student was published in Biophysics and Physicobiology
A paper first-authored by an Assistant Professor was published in Genes Cells
ResearchResearch themes
The lab aims to clarify the functions of GPCRs and the signaling molecules that act downstream of them at the structural, cellular, and organismal levels. The ultimate goals are to identify new drug targets and create better therapeutics.
*Illustrative imageDeveloping Assays to Measure GPCR Signaling
The lab found that when Gq or G12 signaling is activated, TGFα on the cell membrane is cleaved and released outside the cell. Using this as a readout, the lab built a highly sensitive assay system for GPCR activation. The activation of Gs, Gi, Gq, and G12 can all be measured with the same method.
*Illustrative imageA Database of GPCR-G Protein Coupling
Using the TGFα shedding assay, the lab comprehensively examined coupling between 148 GPCRs with known ligands and four types of heterotrimeric G proteins, and found that more than 50 GPCRs couple to G12. Based on these data, a program that predicts which G proteins a GPCR couples to has also been built.
*Illustrative imageDesigner Receptors to Study G12 Function
More than 50 GPCRs couple to G12, but little is known about what they do. The lab has created mice that express a G12-coupled designer GPCR, an artificial receptor that can be activated by an artificial ligand, and uses them to study the function of G12 in vivo.
*Illustrative imageDetection Methods to Track Signal Dynamics
The lab has established methods that use a bright split luciferase (NanoBiT) to examine the interaction between two proteins, and to evaluate time-dependent changes such as G protein dissociation and the binding of GPCRs to GRKs and β-arrestin.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Lab are faculty, Project Assistant Professors, doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students, laboratory assistants, and administrative assistants.As of 2024
- ProfessorAsuka Inoue
- Associate ProfessorMasataka Yanagawa
- Assistant ProfessorTatsuya Ikuta
- Project Assistant ProfessorRyoji Kise
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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: “NEUROTENSIN RECEPTOR 2” rcsb pdb / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Developing Assays to Measure GPCR Signaling: “Smartphone colorimetry – 96-well microplate with serial dilutions of coloured solutions” Mdc-science / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- A Database of GPCR-G Protein Coupling: “PDC server room” Esquilo / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Designer Receptors to Study G12 Function: “Aripiprazole bound to Dopamine D2 Receptor docking model” EpsilonVisuals / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Detection Methods to Track Signal Dynamics: “Use of a Multichannel Pipette for High-Throughput Liquid Handling in a Biosafety Cabinet” Siduduziwe Nxumalo / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Health Chemistry Lab): “Onion cells under the fluorescence microscope 3” Kateryna Kot / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Biological Regulation Systems Lab): “Red Fluorescence Microscopy” Jamil Baza / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Biological Structural Chemistry Lab): “Optical microscope for the study of paint fragments” Froselong / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Pharmacology Lab): “GnRH Neuron” B. Ian Hutchins and Susan Wray / Public domain (cropped)
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