I am interested in substances (from foods to environmental chemical substances) that affect bioregulation function of animals including humans. Current research topics are as follows.

Discovery of novel bioactive substances and elucidation of its performance mechanism

(Keywords: Animal culture cells, Components of food materials, Plant leaf extracts, Plant essential oils, Environmental chemical substances)

We evaluated biological activities of food materials, plant leaf extract libraries, plant essential oil libraries (inhibitory activity of fat storage accumulation, anti-allergic activity, immuno-stimulatory activity, enhancing activity of bone formation, myogenic potentiating activity, inhibitory activity of melanin production, etc.) using animal cultured cells, laboratory animals, genetically modified proteins, etc. For bioactive extracts, fractionation and purification are carried out to determine the structure of bioactive components (collaboration with other laboratories). Furthermore, we organically synthesize structure-determined active components, and elucidate its performance mechanism using biochemical / cell biological / molecular biological methods. On the other hand, for environmental chemical substances, biological activity is evaluated in the same way, and we also evaluate the effect on organisms including human beings that configure the ecosystem.

Preparation and utilization of antibodies specifically binding to low molecular weight organic compounds

(Keywords: Monoclonal antibody, Enzyme antibody method, Antibody column, Genetically engineered antibody, E. coli expression system)

We are producing mouse-derived monoclonal antibodies against low molecular weight organic compounds. Using the obtained antibody, we are developing enzyme antibody method or immune-chromatography method, a simple measurement method. So far some of the developed enzyme antibody methods have been commercialized. In addition, Gene recombinant antibody was expressed in E. coli and prepared in large quantity, and coupled with resin to prepare antibody columns. This antibody column allows to remove and concentrate target substances in water samples. It can also be used for expression of recombinant antibodies in animals and plants, to capture target molecules in vivo, and to control induction of gene expression combined with transcription factors.

Elucidation of the function of human hydrolase

(Key words: Environmental chemical substance, Endogenous substrate, Baculovirus - insect culture cell expression system, Stable expressing cell line)

In the E. coli expression system, human hydrolase which is difficult to prepare active recombinant protein, were prepared using baculovirus - insect culture cell expression system, and we are attempting to identify drug metabolizing enzymes that contribute to the hydrolytic detoxification reaction of environmental chemical substances. Furthermore, we establish a cell line stably expressing a target enzyme gene or a knocked down cell line, search and identify an endogenous substrate of a functionally unknown human hydrolase, and we are trying to elucidate the function of this enzyme in vivo.