Graduate School of Agriculture, Division of Applied Life Sciences Associate Professor
Mitochondria are organelles that play an important role in oxidative phosphorylation (ATP production) in eukaryotic cells. They contain a series of respiratory chain complexes, ATP synthase, and membrane transporters, whose structural and functional insights have remained elusive. We are investigating the structure and function of such membrane proteins, which are intimately involved in energy metabolism, through chemical biology approaches.
Current research themes are as follows;
1. Exploring the inhibitor-binding site in mitochondrial NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I).
2. Identification of the quinone/inhibitor-binding site in various redox enzymes involving in energy metabolism.
3. Screening and mode of action study of the chemicals targeting mitochondrial membrane transporters.