Nuclear Receptor Medicine

Toshiya TANAKA

PROFILE

1993-    M.S. Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science
1993-    Research & Development Divisiton, Grelan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
2004-    Ph.D. The University of Tokyo (UTokyo)
2004-    Project Assistant Professor, RCAST, UTokyo
2006-     Project Associate Professor, RCAST, UTokyo
2007-    Project Associate Professor, RCAST, UTokyo
2015-    Project Professor, RCAST, UTokyo

FIELD OF INTEREST

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are ligand-dependent transcription factors directly controlling gene expression in response to a wide range of developmental, physiological, and environmental cues. It has been recognized that the apparent implication of certain orphan NRs in various metabolic disorders, e.g. atherosclerosis and diabetes, drug interaction, and cancer proliferation, might make them excellent targets for drug development. To clarify the physiological function, tissue or cell-specific expression, and ligand-dependent transcriptional complex formation of NRs, we have generated monoclonal antibodies to all members of the human NR family, with which we perform localizome analysis, ChIP-sequencing, and targeted proteomics.


1. Localizome analysis of nuclear receptors

Protein tissue and cellular localization data provide valuable information helpful in elucidating physiological function. By immunohistochemical analyses, we determine the tissue and cellular localization of all 48 members of NRs protein.


2. ChIP-sequencing of nuclear receptors

We perform ChIP-sequencing to identify genomic NRs binding sites. This method has the advantage of identifing direct interactions between NRs and their responsive elements.


3. Targeted proteomics of nuclear receptors

Protein-protein interactions regulate NRs transcriptional activity and their target genes expression levels. We utilize a shotgun proteomics technique to identify NRs complex formation.


PUBLICATION