Dr. Funakoshi's perosnal page


Welcome to Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Link

Division of Molecular Regenerative Medicine,

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,

Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, B-7,

Suita, Osaka 565, JAPAN

Tel: +81-6-6879-3783; Fax: +81-6-6879-3789

E-mail: hfuna@onbich.med.osaka-u.ac.jp

Research Interests

To elucidate the mechanisms important for the organization and re-organization of the neural networks

To design novel sysnthetic neurotrophic factors (super-HGF) based on HGF family genes.
Molecular cloning of novel neurotrophic factors and their recepotrs

Techniques

1.Basical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology techniques
2.Cell culture including primary culture of neurons and glia
3.Gene delivery into primary cells using microinjection and viral systems*
4.Transgenic mice including tet-on off system*
5.Phage display method to clone novel genes and mutants*
6.Analysis of the functional role of molecules in vivo using rat, mouse, chicken and xenopus system

*Under the progress

Selected Publications

1. Sun W, Funakoshi H, Nakamura T., Overexpression of HGF retards disease progression and prolongs life span in a transgenic mouse model of ALS. J. Neurosci., 2002, 22(15):6537-48.

2. Funakoshi H, Nakamura T., Identification of HGF-like protein as a novel neurotrophic factor for avian dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2001 May 11;283(3):606-12.

3. Funakoshi H et al., Muscle-derived neurotrophin-4 as an activity-dependent trophic signal for adult motor neurons. Science. 1995 Jun 9; 268(5216): 1495-1499.

4. Trupp M et al., Peripheral expression and biological activities of GDNF, a new neurotrophic factor for avian and mammalian peripheral neurons. J Cell Biol. 1995 Jul; 130(1): 137-148.

5. Timmusk T et al., Identification of brain-derived neurotrophic factor promoter regions mediating tissue-specific, axotomy-, and neuronal activity-induced expression in transgenic mice. J Cell Biol. 1995 Jan; 128(1-2): 185-199.

6. Funakoshi H et al., Differential expression of mRNAs for neurotrophins and their receptors after axotomy of the sciatic nerve. J Cell Biol. 1993 Oct; 123(2): 455-465.

7. Funakoshi H et al., Targeted expression of a multifunctional chimeric neurotrophin in the lesioned sciatic nerve accelerates regeneration of sensory and motor axons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998 Apr 28; 95(9): 5269-5274.

8. Lonnenberg P et al., Regulatory region in choline acetyltransferase gene directs developmental and tissue-specific expression in transgenic mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1995 Apr 25; 92(9): 4046-4050.

9. Ilag LL et al., Pan-neurotrophin 1: a genetically engineered neurotrophic factor displaying multiple specificities in peripheral neurons in vitro and in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1995 Jan 17; 92(2): 607-611.

10. Trupp M et al., Complementary and overlapping expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), c-ret proto-oncogene, and GDNF receptor-alpha indicates multiple mechanisms of trophic actions in the adult rat CNS. J Neurosci. 1997 May 15; 17(10): 3554-3567.

11. Funakoshi H et al., Different effects on activity caused by phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase at serine 40 by three multifunctional protein kinases. J Biol Chem. 1991 Aug 25; 266(24): 15614-15620.

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