• RN7SL1 may be translated under oncogenic conditions (PNAS, 2024)

     

    As the international collaboration, Dr. Hara studied the significance of non-coding RNA, RN7SL1. RN7SL1 small Open Reading Frame (ORF) may be translated under special conditions such as those in cancer.

  • High N6-methyladenosine-activated TCEAL8 mRNA is a novel pancreatic cancer marker (Cancer Sci, 2024)

     

    In a groundbreaking global partnership with Osaka University, Japan, Dr. Hara delved into the intricacies of RNA methylation within fresh specimens and organoid cultures derived from pancreatic cancer. Through meticulous research, Dr. Hara unveiled the activation of pivotal cell signaling pathways crucial in cancer metastasis. His findings shed light on the significance of m6A-activated TCEAL8 mRNA as a pioneering marker gene implicated in the malignant progression of pancreatic cancer.

  • Fat and proteolysis due to methionine, tryptophan, and niacin deficiency leads to alterations in gut microbiota and immune modulation in inflammatory bowel disease (Cancer Sci, 2024)

     

    In an international collaboration with Osaka University, Japan, Dr. Hara investigated the gut microbiome and immune modulation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), shedding light on the roles of amino acids in regulating one-carbon metabolism within this condition. His research suggests that controlling nutrient intake may offer a means to reset both gut microbiota composition and host gene expression, ultimately promoting a return to optimal health.

  • The significance of signal recognition particle 9: implications for pancreatic cancer prognosis and functionality (Int J Oncol, 2024)

     

    In the collaboration with Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan (Professors Eguchi and Doki), Dr. Sato studied the significance of signal recognition particle 9 (SRP9) in pancreatic cancer. The results of experiments indicated that SRP9, an ncRNA (RN7SL1)-binding protein, is involved in the signaling pathways of cancer progression and protein translation. The present study is opening an avenue to precise evaluation and therapeutic control of pancreatic cancer.

  • RNA methylation in inflammatory bowel disease (Cancer Sci, 2023)

     

    In the collaboration with Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan (Professors Eguchi and Doki), Dr. Ozato has focused on RNA methylation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and emerged the significance in the process of inflammation, occurrence, and development of cancer. The information is expected to provide the potential applications of RNA modifications in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

  • The link of mRNA and rRNA transcription as a novel therapeutic target for cancer (Biomedicines, 2023)

     

    In the collaboration with Chiba University, Japan, Dr. Kitamura has studied the novel function of linkage mechanism of mRNA and rRNA transcription, which contributes to the fundamental progress in cancer precision medicine.

  • Revealing neuropilin expression patterns in pancreatic cancer: from single-cell to therapeutic opportunities (Oncology Letters, 2023)

     

    Given that pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest human cancers, Meng et al. update information that receptors such as neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) and 2 (NRP-2), which act as co-receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor beta, hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and Semaphorin 3, are involved in the mechanism of therapy resistance. Understanding these mechanisms may help in the development of novel approaches for overcoming refractoriness in pancreatic cancer.

  • Systematic analysis and characterization of long non-coding RNA genes in inflammatory bowel disease (Briefing Function Genomic, 2023)

     

    In the collaboration with Professor Uchida, Aalborg University, Denmark, the study of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has focused on long non-coding RNA and revealed its significance in mechanism of the disease.

  • Drug discovery and development of miRNA-based nucleotide drugs for gastrointestinal cancer (Biomedicines, 2023)

     

    In the collaboration with Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan (Professors Eguchi and Doki), Dr. Sato has focused on short non-coding RNAs, miRNAs, which play roles in the control of cell growth and differentiation. Given that forced expression of several miRNAs results in the cellular reprograming, it is suggested that the selective introduction of several miRNAs will be able to achieve of anti-cancer effects. Here we emerged microRNA-based therapeutic approaches against gastrointestinal cancers.

  • Multifaced roles of desmoplastic reaction and fibrosis in pancreatic cancer progression (Cancer Science, 2023)

     

    In the collaboration with Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan (Professors Eguchi and Doki), Dr. Sato has focused on the desmoplastic reaction, a fibrosis reaction that is characterized by a large amount of dense extracellular matrix and dense fibrous stroma, as a key factor in pancreatic cancer development. The understanding the mechanism of desmoplastic reaction and fibrosis in pancreatic cancer will open an avenue to innovative medicine and improve the prognosis of patients suffering from this disease.