Researcher Database

Researcher Profile and Settings

Master

Affiliation (Master)

  • Institute for Genetic Medicine Pathophysiology

Affiliation (Master)

  • Institute for Genetic Medicine Pathophysiology

researchmap

Profile and Settings

Affiliation

  • Hokkaido University, Institute for Genetic Medicine

Degree

  • Ph. D.(2002/03 The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences)

Profile and Settings

  • Name (Japanese)

    MOTEGI
  • Name (Kana)

    FUMIO
  • Name

    202101013497309229

Affiliation

  • Hokkaido University, Institute for Genetic Medicine

Achievement

Research Interests

  • Embryogenesis   Mechanobiology   Cell polarity   

Research Areas

  • Life sciences / Biophysics / Mechanobiology
  • Life sciences / Developmental biology / Embryogenesis
  • Life sciences / Cell biology / Cell polarity

Research Experience

  • 2022/01 - Today Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University Developmental Physiology Professor
  • 2012/08 - 2021/03 Dept. of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore Assistant Professor
  • 2012/08 - 2021/03 Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore Principle Investigator
  • 2012/08 - 2021/03 Temasek Lifesciences Laboratory Senior Principle Investigator
  • 2007/08 - 2012/07 Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Postdoctoral Researcher
  • 2006/08 - 2007/07 UCSD Postdoctoral Researcher
  • 2002/04 - 2006/07 RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology Postdoctoral Researcher

Education

  • 1997/04 - 2002/03  The University of Tokyo  Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Awards

  • 2012 Singapore National Research Foundation Singapore National Research Foundation Fellowship
  • 2010/05 Japan Society for Cell Biology Young Scientist Best Presentation Award

Published Papers

  • Kazunori Yamamoto, Fumio Motegi
    Current biology : CB 33 (20) R1047-R1049  2023/10/23 
    Two new studies shed light on the intricacies of Caenorhabditis elegans embryo patterning, revealing how the conserved interaction and crosstalk of PAR proteins are adapted to perceive distinct cues, ultimately shaping unique asymmetries in form and function.
  • Kenji Kimura, Fumio Motegi
    Seminars in cell & developmental biology 2021/07/14 
    The development of complex forms of multicellular organisms depends on the spatial arrangement of cellular architecture and functions. The interior design of the cell is patterned by spatially biased distributions of molecules and biochemical reactions in the cytoplasm and/or on the plasma membrane. In recent years, a dynamic change in the cytoplasmic fluid flow has emerged as a key physical process of driving long-range transport of molecules to particular destinations within the cell. Here, recent experimental advances in the understanding of the generation of the various types of cytoplasmic flows and contributions to intracellular patterning are reviewed with a particular focus on feedback mechanisms between the mechanical properties of fluid flow and biochemical signaling during animal cell polarization.
  • Yen Wei Lim, Fu-Lai Wen, Prabhat Shankar, Tatsuo Shibata, Fumio Motegi
    Cell reports 36 (1) 109326 - 109326 2021/07/06 
    Coordination between cell differentiation and proliferation during development requires the balance between asymmetric and symmetric modes of cell division. However, the cellular intrinsic cue underlying the choice between these two division modes remains elusive. Here, we show evidence in Caenorhabditis elegans that the invariable lineage of the division modes is specified by the balance between antagonizing complexes of partitioning-defective (PAR) proteins. By uncoupling unequal inheritance of PAR proteins from that of fate determinants during cell division, we demonstrate that changes in the balance between PAR-2 and PAR-6 can be sufficient to re-program the division modes from symmetric to asymmetric and vice versa in two daughter cells. The division mode adopted occurs independently of asymmetry in cytoplasmic fate determinants, cell-size asymmetry, and cell-cycle asynchrony between sister cells. We propose that the balance between PAR proteins represents an intrinsic self-organizing cue for the specification of the two division modes during development.
  • Wan Jun Gan, Fumio Motegi
    Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 8 2021/01/18 
    Cell polarity is the asymmetric organization of cellular components along defined axes. A key requirement for polarization is the ability of the cell to break symmetry and achieve a spatially biased organization. Despite different triggering cues in various systems, symmetry breaking (SB) usually relies on mechanochemical modulation of the actin cytoskeleton, which allows for advected movement and reorganization of cellular components. Here, the mechanisms underlying SB in Caenorhabditis elegans zygote, one of the most popular models to study cell polarity, are reviewed. A zygote initiates SB through the centrosome, which modulates mechanics of the cell cortex to establish advective flow of cortical proteins including the actin cytoskeleton and partitioning defective (PAR) proteins. The chemical signaling underlying centrosomal control of the Aurora A kinase–mediated cascade to convert the organization of the contractile actomyosin network from an apolar to polar state is also discussed.
  • Fumio Motegi, Nicolas Plachta, Virgile Viasnoff
    Current Opinion in Cell Biology 62 78 - 85 0955-0674 2020/02
  • Peng Zhao, Xiang Teng, Sarala Neomi Tantirimudalige, Masatoshi Nishikawa, Thorsten Wohland, Yusuke Toyama, Fumio Motegi
    Developmental Cell 48 (5) 631 - 645.e6 1534-5807 2019/03
  • Ravikrishna Ramanujam, Ziyin Han, Zhen Zhang, Pakorn Kanchanawong, Fumio Motegi
    Nature Chemical Biology 14 (10) 917 - 927 1552-4450 2018/10
  • Sriyash Mangal, Jennifer Sacher, Taekyung Kim, Daniel Sampaio Osório, Fumio Motegi, Ana Xavier Carvalho, Karen Oegema, Esther Zanin
    Journal of Cell Biology 217 (3) 837 - 848 0021-9525 2018/03/05 
    During cytokinesis, a signal from the central spindle that forms between the separating anaphase chromosomes promotes the accumulation of contractile ring components at the cell equator, while a signal from the centrosomal microtubule asters inhibits accumulation of contractile ring components at the cell poles. However, the molecular identity of the inhibitory signal has remained unknown. To identify molecular components of the aster-based inhibitory signal, we developed a means to monitor the removal of contractile ring proteins from the polar cortex after anaphase onset. Using this assay, we show that polar clearing is an active process that requires activation of Aurora A kinase by TPXL-1. TPXL-1 concentrates on astral microtubules coincident with polar clearing in anaphase, and its ability to recruit Aurora A and activate its kinase activity are essential for clearing. In summary, our data identify Aurora A kinase as an aster-based inhibitory signal that restricts contractile ring components to the cell equator during cytokinesis.
  • Zhen Zhang, Yen Wei Lim, Peng Zhao, Pakorn Kanchanawong, Fumio Motegi
    Journal of Cell Science 130 (24) 4200 - 4212 0021-9533 2017/12/15
  • Ravikrishna Ramanujam, Tricia Yu Feng Low, Yen Wei Lim, Fumio Motegi
    Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology 71 129 - 136 1084-9521 2017/11
  • Shyi-Chyi Wang, Tricia Yu Feng Low, Yukako Nishimura, Laurent Gole, Weimiao Yu, Fumio Motegi
    Nature Cell Biology 19 (8) 988 - 995 1465-7392 2017/08 
    Cell polarization enables zygotes to acquire spatial asymmetry, which in turn patterns cellular and tissue axes during development. Local modification in the actomyosin cytoskeleton mediates spatial segregation of partitioning-defective (PAR) proteins at the cortex, but how mechanical changes in the cytoskeleton are transmitted to PAR proteins remains elusive. Here we uncover a role of actomyosin contractility in the remodelling of PAR proteins through cortical clustering. During embryonic polarization in Caenorhabditis elegans, actomyosin contractility and the resultant cortical tension stimulate clustering of PAR-3 at the cortex. Clustering of atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) is supported by PAR-3 clusters and is antagonized by activation of CDC-42. Cortical clustering is associated with retardation of PAR protein exchange at the cortex and with effective entrainment of advective cortical flows. Our findings delineate how cytoskeleton contractility couples the cortical clustering and long-range displacement of PAR proteins during polarization. The principles described here would apply to other pattern formation processes that rely on local modification of cortical actomyosin and PAR proteins.
  • Yukinobu Arata, Michio Hiroshima, Chan-Gi Pack, Ravikrishna Ramanujam, Fumio Motegi, Kenichi Nakazato, Yuki Shindo, Paul W. Wiseman, Hitoshi Sawa, Tetsuya J. Kobayashi, Hugo B. Brandão, Tatsuo Shibata, Yasushi Sako
    Cell Reports 17 (1) 316 - 316 2211-1247 2016/09
  • Yukinobu Arata, Michio Hiroshima, Chan-Gi Pack, Ravikrishna Ramanujam, Fumio Motegi, Kenichi Nakazato, Yuki Shindo, Paul W Wiseman, Hitoshi Sawa, Tetsuya J Kobayashi, Hugo B Brandão, Tatsuo Shibata, Yasushi Sako
    Cell reports 16 (8) 2156 - 2168 2016/08/23 
    Cell polarity arises through the spatial segregation of polarity regulators. PAR proteins are polarity regulators that localize asymmetrically to two opposing cortical domains. However, it is unclear how the spatially segregated PAR proteins interact to maintain their mutually exclusive partitioning. Here, single-molecule detection analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos reveals that cortical PAR-2 diffuses only short distances, and, as a result, most PAR-2 molecules associate and dissociate from the cortex without crossing into the opposing domain. Our results show that cortical PAR-2 asymmetry is maintained by the local exchange reactions that occur at the cortical-cytoplasmic boundary. Additionally, we demonstrate that local exchange reactions are sufficient to maintain cortical asymmetry in a parameter-free mathematical model. These findings suggest that anterior and posterior PAR proteins primarily interact through the cytoplasmic pool and not via cortical diffusion.
  • Fumio Motegi, Geraldine Seydoux
    Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 368 (1629) 20130010 - 20130010 0962-8436 2013/11/05 
    To become polarized, cells must first ‘break symmetry’. Symmetry breaking is the process by which an unpolarized, symmetric cell develops a singularity, often at the cell periphery, that is used to develop a polarity axis. The Caenorhabditis elegans zygote breaks symmetry under the influence of the sperm-donated centrosome, which causes the PAR polarity regulators to sort into distinct anterior and posterior cortical domains. Modelling analyses have shown that cortical flows induced by the centrosome combined with antagonism between anterior and posterior PARs (mutual exclusion) are sufficient, in principle, to break symmetry, provided that anterior and posterior PAR activities are precisely balanced. Experimental evidence indicates, however, that the system is surprisingly robust to changes in cortical flows, mutual exclusion and PAR balance. We suggest that this robustness derives from redundant symmetry-breaking inputs that engage two positive feedback loops mediated by the anterior and posterior PAR proteins. In particular, the PAR-2 feedback loop stabilizes the polarized state by creating a domain where posterior PARs are immune to exclusion by anterior PARs. The two feedback loops in the PAR network share characteristics with the two feedback loops in the Cdc42 polarization network of Saccharomyces cerevisiae .
  • Microtubules induce self-organization of polarized PAR domains in Caenorhabditis elegans zygotes
    Fumio Motegi, Seth Zonies, Yingsong Hao, Adrian A Cuenca, Erik Griffin, Geraldine Seydoux
    Nature Cell Biology 13 (11) 1361 - 1367 2011/10 [Refereed]
  • Shinji Ihara, Elliott J. Hagedorn, Meghan A. Morrissey, Qiuyi Chi, Fumio Motegi, James M. Kramer, David R. Sherwood
    Nature Cell Biology 13 (6) 641 - 651 1465-7392 2011/06
  • C. M. Gallo, J. T. Wang, F. Motegi, G. Seydoux
    Science 330 (6011) 1685 - 1689 0036-8075 2010/12/17
  • Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of the p24/p22 subunit, DNC-3, is essential for the formation of the dynactin complex by bridging DNC-1/p150(Glued) and DNC-2/dynamitin
    Masahiro Terasawa, Mika Toya, Fumio Motegi, Miyeko Mana, Kuniaki Nakamura, Asako Sugimoto
    Genes to Cells 15 (11) 1145 - 1157 2010/11
  • S. Zonies, F. Motegi, Y. Hao, G. Seydoux
    Development 137 (10) 1669 - 1677 0950-1991 2010/05/15
  • R. Gassmann, A. Essex, J.-S. Hu, P. S. Maddox, F. Motegi, A. Sugimoto, S. M. O'Rourke, B. Bowerman, I. McLeod, J. R. Yates, K. Oegema, I. M. Cheeseman, A. Desai
    Genes & Development 22 (17) 2385 - 2399 0890-9369 2008/09/01
  • Revisiting the role of microtubules in C. elegans polarity.
    Motegi F, Seydoux G
    Journal of Cell Biology 179 (3) 367 - 369 2007/11
  • Function of microtubules at the onset of cytokinesis
    Fumio Motegi, Asako Sugimoto
    Tanpakusitu Kakusan Koso 51 1590 - 1595 2006/09
  • Fumio Motegi, Asako Sugimoto
    Nature Cell Biology 8 (9) 978 - 985 1465-7392 2006/09
  • Cell polarization: lessons from C. elegans asymmetric cell division
    Fumio Motegi, Asako Sugimoto
    Tanpakushitsu Kakusan Koso 51 776 - 781 2006/05
  • Two phases of astral microtubule activity during cytokinesis in C. elegans embryos
    Motegi F, Velarde NV, Piano F, Sugimoto A
    Developmental Cell 10 (4) 509 - 520 2006/04
  • Fumio Motegi, Mithilesh Mishra, Mohan K. Balasubramanian, Issei Mabuchi
    Journal of Cell Biology 165 (5) 685 - 695 0021-9525 2004/06/07 
    Cytokinesis in many eukaryotes requires an actomyosin contractile ring. Here, we show that in fission yeast the myosin-II heavy chain Myo2 initially accumulates at the division site via its COOH-terminal 134 amino acids independently of F-actin. The COOH-terminal region can access to the division site at early G2, whereas intact Myo2 does so at early mitosis. Ser1444 in the Myo2 COOH-terminal region is a phosphorylation site that is dephosphorylated during early mitosis. Myo2 S1444A prematurely accumulates at the future division site and promotes formation of an F-actin ring even during interphase. The accumulation of Myo2 requires the anillin homologue Mid1 that functions in proper ring placement. Myo2 interacts with Mid1 in cell lysates, and this interaction is inhibited by an S1444D mutation in Myo2. Our results suggest that dephosphorylation of Myo2 liberates the COOH-terminal region from an intramolecular inhibition. Subsequently, dephosphorylated Myo2 is anchored by Mid1 at the medial cortex and promotes the ring assembly in cooperation with F-actin.
  • Kelvin C.Y. Wong, Ventris M. D'souza, Naweed I. Naqvi, Fumio Motegi, Issei Mabuchi, Mohan K. Balasubramanian
    Current Biology 12 (9) 724 - 729 0960-9822 2002/04
  • Noguchi T, Arai R, Motegi F, Nakano K, Mabuchi I
    Cell Structure and Function Japan Society for Cell Biology 26 (6) 545 - 554 0386-7196 2001/12 
    How actin filaments (F-actin) and myosin II (myosin) assemble to form the contractile ring was investigated with fission yeast and Xenopus egg. In fission yeast cells, an aster-like structure composed of F-actin cables is formed at the medial cortex of the cell during prophase to metaphase, and a single F-actin cable(s) extends from this structure, which seems to be a structural basis of the contractile ring. In early mitosis, myosin localizes as dots in the medial cortex independently of F-actin. Then they fuse with each other and are packed into a thin contractile ring.
    At the growing ends of the cleavage furrow of Xenopus eggs, F-actin at first assembles to form patches. Next they fuse with each other to form short F-actin bundles. The short bundles then form long bundles. Myosin seems to be transported by the cortical movement to the growing end and assembles there as spots earlier than F-actin. Actin polymerization into the patches is likely to occur after accumulation of myosin. The myosin spots and the F-actin patches are simultaneously reorganized to form the contractile ring bundles.
    The idea that a Ca signal triggers cleavage furrow formation was tested with Xenopus eggs during the first cleavage. We could not detect any Ca signals such as a Ca wave, Ca puffs or even Ca blips at the growing end of the cleavage furrow. Furthermore, cleavages are not affected by Ca-chelators injected into the eggs at concentrations sufficient to suppress the Ca waves. Thus we conclude that formation of the contractile ring is not induced by a Ca signal at the growing end of the cleavage furrow.
  • Identification of two type V myosins in fission yeast, one of which functions in polarized cell growth and moves rapidly in the cell.
    Motegi F, Arai R, Mabuchi I
    Molecular Biology of the Cell 12 (5) 1367 - 1380 2001/05
  • Identification and functional analysis of the gene for type I myosin in fission yeast
    Toya M, Motegi F, Nakano K, Mabuchi I, Yamamoto M
    Genes to Cells 62 (3) 187 - 199 2001/03
  • The S. pombe rlc1 gene encodes a putative myosin regulatory light chain that binds the type II myosins myo3p and myo2p
    Le Goff, Motegi F, Salimova E, Mabuchi I, Simanis V
    113 4157 - 4163 2000/12
  • Molecular mechanism of myosin-II assembly at the division site in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
    F Motegi, K Nakano, I Mabuchi
    Journal of Cell Science 113 1813 - 1825 2000/05
  • Masako Suda, Mikiko Fukui, Yuki Sogabe, Kazuhito Sato, Akeshi Morimatsu, Ritsuko Arai, Fumio Motegi, Tokichi Miyakawa, Issei Mabuchi, Dai Hirata
    Genes to Cells 4 (9) 517 - 527 1356-9597 1999/09
  • Fumio Motegi, Kentaro Nakano, Chikako Kitayama, Masayuki Yamamoto, Issei Mabuchi
    FEBS Letters 420 (2-3) 161 - 166 0014-5793 1997/12/29

Books etc

  • ラボレポート独立編: 在新加坡的自立門户之路: シンガポールで独立してみた
    茂木文夫 
    実験医学 2019/06

Presentations

  • Collective induction of oogenesis via long-range cytoplasmic streaming in C. elegans  [Not invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    第76回日本細胞生物学会大会  2024
  • Collective Induction of Oogenesis via Cytoplasmic Streaming in C. Elegans  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    第57回日本発生生物学会  2024
  • Collective Induction of Oogenesis via Cytoplasmic Streaming in C. Elegans  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    2024 Gordon Research Conference on Cell Polarity Signalling  2024
  • 力学と化学の連携による細胞パターン形成  [Invited]
    茂木文夫
    定量生物学の会第十一回年会  2024
  • Collective induction of oogenesis via long-range cytoplasmic streaming in C.elegans  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    ASCB CELL BIO 2023  2023
  • 細胞パターニングにおける力学化学変換反応の制御  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    日本機械学会 第35回バイオエンジニアリング講演会  2023
  • Introduction of multicellular mechanobiology research in Japan  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    Engineering Mechanics of Cell and Tissue Morphogenesis 2022  2022
  • Mechano-chemical feedbacks in embryonic patterning  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    第45回日本分子生物学会年会  2022
  • 体細胞と生殖細胞の運命パターン秩序化  [Invited]
    茂木文夫
    生理学研究所・北海道大学遺伝子病制御研究 ジョイントシンポジウム リエゾンラボ炎症シンポジウム  2022
  • 細胞極性の脱構築と再構築  [Invited]
    茂木文夫
    第一回細胞分裂研究会  2022
  • Binary choice of asymmetric and symmetric cell divisions in C. elegans embryogenesis  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    International joint symposium between Japan Society of developmental Biologists and Singapore Developmental Biology Society  2021
  • Construction and deconstruction of metazoan cell polarity.  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    ICReDD-Hokkaido University Five Attached Institutes Joint Symposium  2021
  • Binary choice of asymmetric and symmetric cell divisions in C. elegans embryogenesis  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    Singapore Developmental Biology Society monthly seminar  2021
  • Mechanical control of symmetry breaking in C. elegans embryo  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    第73回日本細胞生物学会  2021
  • Mechano-Chemical Control of Symmetry Breaking in C. eleagns zygotes.  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    The 15th international Symposium of the Institute Network for Biomedical Sciences  2020
  • Mechanical Control of Symmetry Breaking in C. eleagns zygotes.  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    The Mechanobiology Institute 2020 Virtual Conference, “From Molecules to Organs: The Mechanobiology of Morphogenesis”  2020
  • Deconstruction and reconstruction of cell polarity networks  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    2nd Joint Symposium between MBI and UBI  2019
  • Aurora-A breaks symmetry in C. elegans zygotes independently of its role in centrosome maturation  [Not invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    第52回日本発生生物学会年会  2019
  • Aurora-A breaks symmetry in C. elegans zygotes independently of its role in centrosome maturation  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    The ASCB EMBO 2018 meeting  2018
  • 細胞が創る空間パターニングの脱構築と再構築  [Invited]
    茂木文夫
    第41 回日本分子生物学会年会  2018
  • Deconstruction and reconstruction of cell polarity networks  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    第56 回日本生物物理学会年会  2018
  • Deconstruction and reconstruction of cell polarity networks  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    第70回日本細胞生物学会・第51回日本発生生物学会合同大会(APDBN共催)  2018
  • Deconstruction and Reconstruction of C. elegans PAR Polarity  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    The Gordon Research Conference on Cell Polarity  2018
  • Local and global remodelling of cortical myosin by the mitotic kinase Aurora-A  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    International Symposium on Mechanobiology  2017
  • Reconstitution of the PAR polarity networks in a heterologous cell system  [Not invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    21st International C. elegans Meeting  2017
  • 細胞膜張力に依存したPAR複合体のナノスケールクラスター形成  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    第69 回日本細胞生物学会年会  2017
  • Cortical contractility induces clustering of PAR proteins for embryonic polariza  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    第39 回日本分子生物学会年会  2016
  • The robust landscape of embryonic PAR polarity controls cellular decisions  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi, Yen Wei Lim
    THE ALLIED GENETICS CONFERENCE 2016  2016
  • Symmetry breaking: lessons from C. elegans zygote  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    Joint symposium of Curie Institute and Mechanobiology Institute  2016
  • Dual mechanisms for ensuring the posterior PAR gradient in C. elegans zygote  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    Mechanobiology of Development and Multicellular Dynamics  2014
  • Dual mechanisms for ensuring the posterior PAR gradient  [Not invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    The 6th Asia-Pacific C. elegans Meeting  2014
  • Dual mechanisms for ensuring the posterior PAR gradient  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    The Gordon Research Conference on Cell Polarity  2014
  • Symmetry breaking in C. elegans zygote
    Fumio Motegi
    Asia Pacific Organization of Cell Biology 7th Congress and ASCB Workshops  2014
  • Symmetry breaking in C. elegans zygote  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    The Gordon Research Conference on Cell Polarity  2014
  • Symmetry breaking in C. elegans zygote  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    The Manchester U. - MBI joint symposium  2013
  • Symmetry breaking: lessons from C. elegans zygote  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    GCOE Symposium between Kyusyu U and Nat. Univ. Singapore  2013
  • Microtubules induce self-organization of polarized PAR domains in Caenorhabditis elegans  [Not invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    第43 回日本細胞生物学会年会 若手最優秀発表選考会  2010
  • Microtubules induce self-organization of polarized PAR domains in Caenorhabditis elegans  [Not invited]
    Fumio Motegi
    American Society for Cell Biology annual meeting  2009
  • Microtubules induce self-organization of polarized PAR domains in C. elegans zygotes  [Invited]
    Fumio Motegi, Geraldine Seydoux
    17th International C. elegans Meeting  2009
  • Dual regulation of cytokinesis by two types of microtubule assembly pathways  [Not invited]
    Fumio Motegi, Asako Sugimoto
    15th International C. elegans Meeting  2005
  • Protein phosphatase 4 is required for chiasma formation during meiosis and fertilization in C. elegans  [Not invited]
    Fumio Motegi, Asako Sugimoto
    East Asia C. elegans Meeting  2004
  • Protein phosphatase 4 is localized to nuclei at the late pachytene stage of meiotic prophase and required for chiasma formation  [Not invited]
    Fumio Motegi, Asako Sugimoto
    14th International C. elegans Meeting  2003

Research Projects

  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science:Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
    Date (from‐to) : 2022/06 -2027/03 
    Author : 茂木 文夫, 柊 卓志, 見学 美根子, 柴田 達夫, 近藤 武史, Phng LiKun, 吉村 成弘
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science:Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
    Date (from‐to) : 2022/06 -2027/03 
    Author : 茂木 文夫
     
    生物は細胞集団の空間パターンをマクロスケールで秩序化することで、組織・器官としての形と機能を創生する。この細胞集団の秩序化では、それぞれの細胞が機械的力の発生を感知・応答することで細胞内化学シグナル伝達を調節する「力学化学カップリング」を必要とすることが示された。しかしながら、生体内の力作用は直接可視化することができないので、力学化学カップリングの分子機構と生理的役割には未だに不明な点が多い。そこで、生体内の力作用を定量的に評価し、力作用を人為的に操作するための、新規の技術開発が必要とされる。 本研究では先ず、力発生の生理的役割を解明するための技術開発を目的として、マイクロ流体デバイスと光照射による細胞内温度変化を利用して、力発生に関わる標的因子の機能を素早く阻害する「温度遺伝学法」を開発する。この手法では、細胞内局所の温度変化は高速温度感受性の遺伝子変異を導入した細胞骨格因子によって感知され、力発生の局所的変化へと変換される。さらに、紫外域光の照射で細胞内外の微小構造を破壊するマイクロレーザー手術を活用することで、生体内における力発生の局所的な計測・評価・人為的操作を行う。 これらの技術を活用して、線虫胚では多細胞期における非対称分裂を対象に、線虫成体では子宮内における卵母細胞形成を対象として、微小管およびアクチン骨格に由来した力発生が細胞集団と組織の空間パターン秩序化を誘導する機構を解析している。細胞の自律的および非自律的な力学的作用が、細胞集団の自己組織化において極性因子や体細胞・生殖細胞・卵母細胞の運命決定因子に与える影響を定量的に評価することで、マクロスケールの生体秩序化を司る新規原理を解明する。
  • 卵母細胞の形成と品質管理を司る「力学刺激−化学反応」連携の解明
    公益財団法人 武田科学振興財団:2024年度 ビジョナリーリサーチ継続助成(ホップ)
    Date (from‐to) : 2024 -2026
  • 日本学術振興会:科学研究費助成事業
    Date (from‐to) : 2022/04 -2025/03 
    Author : 茂木 文夫
  • 日本学術振興会:科学研究費助成事業
    Date (from‐to) : 2021/10 -2025/03 
    Author : 茂木 文夫, 西村 有香子, 木戸秋 悟, 柴田 達夫, 多羅間 充輔
     
    生体内の細胞は、細胞内外に作用する機械的力を利用して、細胞極性の非対称パターンを獲得することが示されたが、この過程で力刺激を感知・応答する分子機構は未だに不明な点が多い。本研究は、細胞骨格である「微小管」のメカニクスを中心とするメカノトランスダクション機構が、細胞極性の非対称パターンを誘導する機構を包括的に理解することを目標とする。 本提案研究では、線虫初期胚とヒト培養細胞を対象とし、細胞内微小管の構造と機能を人為操作する実験手法を確立し、この微小管メカニクスの変動が細胞極性パターンの誘導と維持に及ぼす影響を高解像度ライブイメージングにより解析する。線虫初期胚では、細胞内温度変化によって微小管(チューブリン)、微小管形成中心(中心体)、または微小管モーター(ダイニン複合体)の機能を操作する株を作成し、温度変化と同時にライブイメージングを可能な実験系を確立した。ヒト培養細胞では、メカノトランスダクション構造である細胞接着斑と微小管の相互作用を操作する化学遺伝学手法を確立し、更にこの技術を改変した光遺伝学的手法を開発している。更に、細胞接着斑のメカノトランスダクション機能を操作するために、細胞外基質の機械的性質を微細加工する技術を構築している。今後はこれらの手法を組み合わせて、微小管と細胞外環境のメカニクスを人為操作する技術を確立し、微小管の高速高解像度ライブイメージングと画像解析・数理解析を融合した学際的研究戦略によって、細胞極性化における微小管メカニクスの生理的意義を解明する。
  • 老化による卵子の品質変容における力学作用の機能解析
    第一三共生命科学研究振興財団:研究助成
    Date (from‐to) : 2023 -2024
  • 細胞極性を司る「力学刺激-化学反応」相互作用を理解して人為的に操作する
    公益財団法⼈武⽥科学振興財団:ビジョナリーリサーチ助成
    Date (from‐to) : 2021 -2023
  • 細胞極性の欠損を理解して制御する
    公益財団法人東レ科学振興会:研究助成金
    Date (from‐to) : 2021 -2023
  • 国際学術集会「Mechanical control of cell and tissue self-organization」
    公益財団法人中外創薬科学財団:令和6年度前半期 海外招聘補助金
    Date (from‐to) : 2023
  • 国際学術集会「Mechanical control of cell and tissue self-organization」
    公益財団法人セコム科学技術振興財団:学術集会および科学技術振興事業助成
    Date (from‐to) : 2023
  • 国際学術集会「Mechanical control of cell and tissue self-organization」
    公益財団法人 中谷医工計測技術振興財団:海外学者招聘助成金
    Date (from‐to) : 2023
  • 国際学術集会「Mechanical control of cell and tissue self-organization」
    公益財団法人 上原記念生命科学財団:国際シンポジウム開催助成⾦
    Date (from‐to) : 2023
  • 国際学術集会「Mechanical control of cell and tissue self-organization」
    公益財団法人 内藤記念科学振興財団:第55回(2023年度)内藤記念海外学者招聘助成金(前期)
    Date (from‐to) : 2023
  • International symposium on mechanical control of cell and tissue selforganization
    THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS LIMITED:Scientific Meeting Grant Agreement
    Date (from‐to) : 2023
  • 第61回日本生物物理学会年会シンポジウム
    公益財団法人 中谷医工計測技術振興財団:海外招聘者旅費助成
    Date (from‐to) : 2023
  • 細胞極性の破綻を抑制する新規遺伝学的機構の解明
    公益財団法人三菱財団:自然科学研究助成
    Date (from‐to) : 2022
  • 新規の光温度遺伝学技術で探求する生体自律化メカニクス
    公益財団法人ノバルティス科学振興財団:研究奨励金
    Date (from‐to) : 2022
  • 線虫C. elegans を用いた老化・代謝変化に応答した極性輸送機構の解析
    群馬大学生体調節研究所:内分泌・代謝学共同研究拠点共同研究
    Date (from‐to) : 2021
  • 「細胞極性の欠損が引き起こす組織破綻」を理解して抑制する
    公益財団法人寿原記念財団:研究助成金
    Date (from‐to) : 2021
  • 光温度遺伝学法による生体内力発生の機能解析
    公益財団法人 中谷医工計測技術振興財団:技術開発研究助成
    Date (from‐to) : 2021
  • 光温度遺伝学を活用した生体の自律的パターン形成の解析
    一般財団法人 北海道B型肝炎訴訟オレンジ基金:
    Date (from‐to) : 2021
  • 線虫C. elegans を用いた老化・代謝変化に応答した極性輸送機構の解析
    群馬大学生体調節研究所:内分泌・代謝学共同研究拠点共同研究
    Date (from‐to) : 2020
  • PAR-1/4が誘導する細胞-組織極性の制御機構
    公益財団法人アステラス病態代謝研究会:研究助成金
    Date (from‐to) : 2020
  • 「細胞極性の欠損による疾患発症」を理解して抑制する
    公益財団法人上原記念生命科学財団:研究助成金
    Date (from‐to) : 2020
  • 温度遺伝学で探求する非対称分裂メカニクス
    公益財団法人住友財団:研究助成金
    Date (from‐to) : 2020
  • 受精卵に細胞極性を誘導する分子メカニズムの全容を解明する
    公益信託 成茂動物科学振興基金:成茂動物科学振興基金
    Date (from‐to) : 2020
  • New Optical System to Visualize Cellular Self-organization
    A-Star Singapore:日本・シンガポール 二国間共同研究プログラム
    Date (from‐to) : 2015 -2018
  • The Mechanisms of Breaking Cellular Symmetry in Metazoan Development
    National Research Foundation Singapore:NRF Fellowship
    Date (from‐to) : 2012/08 -2017/07
  • 日本学術振興会:科学研究費助成事業
    Date (from‐to) : 2003 -2004 
    Author : 茂木 文夫
     
    微小管は主にセントロソームで形成され、分裂期にはその構造をダイナミックに変化させるが、微小管のダイナミクスを調節する機構および微小管による細胞分裂の制御機構については未だ理解が進んでいない。RNA干渉法を用いて線虫初期胚の微小管形成にはたらく因子を探索した結果、セントロソームに局在することが知られているγ-tubulin (TBG-1)およびaurora kinase A (AIR-1)は、セントロソームにおける微小管形成に並列に寄与していることを明らかにした。さらに、TBG-1依存的な微小管とAIR-1依存的な微小管では細胞表層の収縮へのはたらきかけが異なることが示された。TBG-1欠損胚でみられるAIR-1依存的な微小管は、細胞表層へと到達した後にも伸長を続け、anaphase後期にみられる細胞表層の収縮を抑制した。一方、AIR-1欠損胚でみられるTBG-1依存的な微小管は、細胞表層に到達すると短縮・伸長を繰り返し、anaphase初期に細胞表層の収縮を促進した。このことから、TBG-1とAIR-1は、セントロソームにおける微小管形成を介して、細胞表層の収縮に対して相反する役割を示すことが示唆された。つぎに、野生型初期胚の微小管動態の観察を行った結果、anaphase初期の分裂面周辺の細胞表層にはTBG-1依存的微小管と類似した短縮・伸長を繰り返す微小管が集積していたのに対して、anaphase後期には分裂面以外の細胞表層に伸長を続けるAIR-1依存的微小管と類似した微小管が観察された。以上の結果から、細胞質分裂における細胞表層の収縮性制御には、TBG-1およびAIR-1が関与する二つの独立の微小管制御機構が働いている可能性が考えられる。
  • 日本学術振興会:科学研究費助成事業
    Date (from‐to) : 1999 -2001 
    Author : 茂木 文夫


Copyright © MEDIA FUSION Co.,Ltd. All rights reserved.