Membranology Unit (Keiko Kono)
Cellular wounding and repair of local plasma membranes occur constantly in our bodies. Plasma membrane damage can be induced by various triggers ranging from physical disruption and pathogen invasion to physiological cellular activities, such as muscle contraction. Accumulating evidence suggests the involvement of cellular wound healing in various diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, the molecular mechanisms and physiological consequences of plasma membrane repair are poorly understood. Our unit tackles these issues using cell biology, biochemistry and genetics in multiple systems, including yeast and human cultured cells. We previously discovered two key mechanisms: 1) proteasomal degradation triggers repair responses (Kono et al., Cell, 2012), and 2) a cell cycle checkpoint in G1 monitors plasma membrane damage (Kono et al., PNAS, 2016). A long-term scientific goal will be to reveal the link between cancer/senescence and a plasma membrane.
Latest Posts
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3/13/2024, Our new paper is out!
The paper led by our former postdoc Shinju is out!
Science Advances
Vol 10, Issue 11
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj15122/22/2024, Our new paper is out!
Our new paper led by Kou, Yohsuke, and Hana is online in Nature Aging. Damage to cell membranes causes cell aging. Thanks again to all the team members, friends, reviewers, and the editors. Numerous people, visibly and invisibly, contributed to it.
News and Views, Nature Aging (in English)
2/17/2024, Former intern Ms. Hiyori Mori won a poster prize
Our former intern, Ms. Hiyori Mori at Keio U, won a poster presentation prize! In addition to the prize selected by the professors, she also won the third prize of students' choice. Congrats Hiyori, we are all proud of your achievement!