研究室

上皮形態形成研究チーム

チームリーダー
Yu-Chiun Wang（Ph.D.）

Elucidating the molecular and mechanical mechanisms underlying the formation of complex tissue structures.

細胞、組織、器官がそれぞれ特有の機能と形態を獲得していくプロセスを理解することは発生生物学の重要な課題です。当研究室では、上皮組織形態形成をモデルに、その複雑な過程に関与する新規メカニズムの解明を目指します。上皮細胞の極性変化が細胞形態を制御する仕組み、また、局所的な細胞の形状変化が組織構造全体を変化させる仕組みに注目しています。さらに、コンピュータ科学者との共同研究により、細胞形態の4次元再構成および定量化法を開発しています。一個体間、または双翅類種間での形態形成の多様性における進化的、機構的原理を理解することが長期的な目標です。

研究テーマ

1. 上皮組織の細胞形態変化、および湾曲過程の細胞極性変化による制御機構
2. アドへレンスジャンクションとアクチン間の結合強度による陥入レベル決定機構
3. 4次元定量イメージングの開発と、形態形成時に生じる力学的変化の可視化
4. 新規かつ一時的に出現する形態形成構造の進化的可能性

ニュース一覧
2015.5.7
WangチームリーダーらがHFSPに採択
2013.10.31
2人のチームリーダーが新たに着任
主要論文

Khan Z, et al. Quantitative 4D analyses of epithelial folding during Drosophila gastrulation. Development 141, 2895–2900 (2014). doi:10.1242/dev.107730

Gavin-Smyth J, et al. A genetic network conferring canalization to a bistable patterning system in Drosophila. Curr Biol 23, 2296–2302 (2013). doi:10.1016/j.cub.2013.09.055

Wang YC, et al. Distinct Rap1 activity states control the extent of epithelial invagination via alpha-catenin. Dev Cell 25. 299–309 (2013). doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2013.04.002

Wang YC, et al. Differential positioning of adherens junctions is associated with initiation of epithelial folding. Nature 484, 390–393 (2012). doi:10.1038/nature10938

Wang YC and Ferguson E L. Spatial bistability of Dpp-receptor interactions during Drosophila dorsal-ventral patterning. Nature 434, 229–234 (2005). doi:10.1038/nature03318

Podos S D, et al. The DSmurf ubiquitin-protein ligase restricts BMP signaling spatially and temporally during Drosophila embryogenesis. Dev Cell 1, 567–578 (2001). doi:10.1016/S1534-5807(01)00057-0

Q：What made you want to do your current job? (or triggered your interest in science)

A：We are passionate about making new and important discoveries in the field of developmental biology. We come to work everyday with great enthusiasm knowing that we will understand better how cells undergo the necessary change to form a functional organism.

Q：If you were to characterize your lab in one word, what would it be?

A：Dynamic. My lab is shaped and morphed by the unique personalities and posive energies of its indivisual members in an organic and creative way.

Q：Message for aspiring scientists.

A：Let your own imagination be the only limitation, and the desire to know more be the preferred way to propel forward.

研究室ホームページ

ycwang[at]cdb.riken.jp
[at]を@に変えてメールしてください

求人

Dorsal fold formation during Drosophila gastrulation.
The dorsal epithelium of the Drosophila gastrula forms two epithelial (anterior and posterior) folds, shown here with the mid-sagittal optical sections at an early (A) and a late (B) stage. Adherens junctions are labeled in green; plasma membrane in magenta.
Reconstruction of 3D cell shape during dorsal fold formation. EDGE4D software was developed in collaboration with Dr. Zia Khan (University of Maryland) 3D reconstruction of cell shape was based on cell membrane labeling. Immunolabeling of adherens junctions (orange in A and B) defines the boundaries between the apical and basal-lateral compartments (A’ and B’).
Schematic model for the polarity-based mechanism for epithelial folding Downregulation of the basal-lateral determinant Par-1 results in basal shift of adherens junctions in the initiating cells in which the apical compartment above the junctions trasiently enlarges before the subsequent shrinkage that ultimately causes the reduction of cell height.
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