School/Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University

Ion channels and transporters are extremely important proteins for cell physiology.
The electrical signals of cells are generated via ion channels, and most transport of substances between inside and outside of the cells, and between inside and outside of the body, are mediated by ion channels and transporters.
We are conducting functional analyses of ion channels and transporters that produce such cell physiological functions from the molecular level.
We are now especially interested in channels and transporters which transport H⁺, HCO^3-, and phosphate.
Furthermore, we try to identify transporters whose molecular bases are unknown and try to reveal the functions of membrane proteins whose functions are not understood.

 

Morning sickness is one of the characteristic phenomena and includes many types of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sleepiness and changes of smell and taste. More than 80% of pregnant women experience morning sickness and have any difficulties in their daily lives. However, the mechanisms and biological significance is still unknown.

 

Some animal species such as dogs and monkeys show decreased appetite and weight loss in an early stage of pregnancy, which may be the same as pregnant women have. Perhaps these phenomena may be conserved in many mammal species.
If experimental animals including mice show morning sickness-like symptoms, revealing their mechanisms will help to understand morning sickness in humans.
Thus, we are trying to reveal the mechanisms of the morning sickness-like symptoms in experimental animals.