Current research projects

• Structure and functions of penta-EF-hand calcium-binding prtein ALG-2 that is involved in apoptosis, cancer and signal transductions --- molecular recogition mechanism of interacting proteins based on 3D structures.

X-ray crystal structure of the complex between ALG-2 and ALIX peptide
Suzuki et al. (2008) Structure

Penta-EF-hand protein family.
See the original paper by Suzuki et al and reviews by Maki et al. PubMed ID 18940611; 22404899; 22404899

• Functions of ALG-2-interacting proteins. We have identified several new proteins as novel ALG-2-interacting proteins including PLSCR3, Sec31A, PATL1 and CHERP. They are involved in membrane traffic of cargos, RNA processing and translation suppression, lipid associated functions.

Cellular localization analyses of ALG-2, PATL1, Dcp1A and Sec31A. ALG-2 is found as cytoplasmic puncta and also found in nucleus.
See the original paper by Osugi et al. PubMed ID 22437941

• Structure and Function of calpain-7

A hypothetical gain and loss of domains during evolution of calpains. Arrows indicate flow of evolution. Individual domains are marked by different colors as indicated in the top boxes. The bottom boxes marked by color gradation represent present-day calpains and non-calpain PEF proteins. CAPN15 and CAPN16, lacking the C2L domain, are not shown.

Figure taken from a mini-review article written by Maki et al. (2012) FEBS J 279, 1414