2026年 6月 Student Monthly Progress を開催しました

6月26日 (金)にStudent Monthly Progressが開催されました。4名の大学院生が研究内容について発表しました。

 

【Presenters】

  1.  Muyembe Mawete Francisca : Division of Bioinformatics

   <Genetic Characterization of Measles Virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo>

 

  2. Mawo Shimizu : Laboratory of Animal Science and Medicine

<Analysis of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyocyte Damage and NF-κB Signaling in H9c2 Cardiomyocyte Cells Treated with Retinoic Acid>

 

3. : Omi Sasaki : Laboratory of Physiology

  <Investigation of Interactions Between OTOP Family and CA4>

 

4. Mizuki Maruyama : Laboratory of Toxicology

<In Vitro Assessment of Avian Lead Sensitivity Using ALAD Activity>

 

【Chairs】

Boniface Onesmo Chikufenji  : Division of Collaboration and Education

Hayato Sugiura : Division of Global Epidemiology

 

 

 

 ❖座長レポート❖ 

 

《Genetic Characterization of Measles Virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo》

Muyembe Mawete Francisca

 

 

This study investigated the genetic diversity of measles virus circulating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where genomic surveillance has been lacking for over a decade. The researchers collected throat swab samples from 186 suspected measles patients across 13 provinces between 2022 and 2023, performed RT-PCR, and sequenced the C-terminal region of the viral N gene using Oxford Nanopore technology. Among 131 RT-PCR-positive samples, 61 sequences were successfully obtained, all belonging to genotype B3. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these viruses were closely related to strains previously detected in the DRC and to isolates from several other countries, indicating persistent circulation and cross-border transmission. The study concluded that strengthening genomic surveillance alongside improving vaccination coverage is essential to interrupt transmission and support measles elimination efforts in the DRC.

 

 

《Analysis of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyocyte Damage and NF-κB Signaling in H9c2 Cardiomyocyte Cells Treated with Retinoic Acid》

Mawo Shimizu

 

 

 

This study examined the molecular mechanisms underlying doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by focusing on the NF-κB signaling pathway in retinoic acid-differentiated H9c2 cardiomyocyte-like cells. The researchers treated differentiated cells with varying concentrations of doxorubicin and assessed cell viability, NF-κB activation through p65 phosphorylation, and expression of inflammatory and signaling genes using Western blotting and real-time PCR. Doxorubicin reduced cell viability, activated the NF-κB pathway, increased inflammatory gene expression, and markedly upregulated Nfkbiz, while inhibition of NF-κB reduced these responses. The findings suggest that Nfkbiz plays a key regulatory role in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and may represent a potential therapeutic target for reducing chemotherapy-associated cardiac damage.

 

 

 《Investigation of Interactions Between OTOP Family and CA4》

 Omi Sasaki

 

 

 

This study explored whether carbonic anhydrase 4 (CA4) interacts with members of the otopetrin (OTOP) proton channel family, which are involved in acid sensing and taste perception. Using AlphaFold2 structural prediction, co-immunoprecipitation assays in HEK293T cells, and Western blot analysis of mouse tissues, the researchers investigated interactions between CA4 and OTOP1–3. Computational predictions and experimental data confirmed that CA4 forms complexes with all three OTOP proteins, although each OTOP member preferentially interacted with different mature or immature forms of CA4. Additionally, mature CA4 was widely expressed in mouse tissues. The study concluded that CA4 physically interacts with all OTOP family members, with OTOP1 and OTOP2 likely having greater physiological relevance due to their association with the mature form of CA4.

 

 

《In Vitro Assessment of Avian Lead Sensitivity Using ALAD Activity》

Mizuki Maruyama

 

 

 

This study evaluated species-specific sensitivity to lead poisoning among birds by measuring inhibition of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), an enzyme involved in heme synthesis. Blood samples from 13 avian species and rats were exposed to different concentrations of lead acetate, and ALAD activity was measured to calculate IC₅₀ values, while phylogenetic analysis assessed whether sensitivity differences were associated with ALAD sequence variation. The results showed marked differences in lead sensitivity among bird species, with red-crowned cranes, Gruiformes, and Accipitriformes being the most sensitive, whereas Anseriformes and chickens were the least sensitive. Because key ALAD functional regions were highly conserved across species, the observed differences were unlikely to be explained by sequence variation alone. The study concluded that susceptibility to lead poisoning varies substantially among avian species and that additional factors influencing lead sensitivity require further investigation to support wildlife conservation efforts.