Kyoto University · Medicine
Professor Shuh Narumiya's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, particularly in the context of prostanoid and lipid mediator biology. The lab investigates the roles of prostanoid receptors—such as EP and DP subtypes—and their downstream effectors in inflammation, immune responses, and cytoskeletal dynamics. Key research directions include the signaling pathways mediated by Rho GTPase effectors like ROCK and mDia in cell motility, morphogenesis, and disease pathogenesis. The lab also explores the functional specialization of receptor subtypes through gene-targeting approaches in mouse models, revealing distinct physiological and pathological roles of individual receptors.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Prostanoids are the cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid and include prostaglandin (PG) D(2), PGE(2), PGF(2alpha), PGI(2), and thromboxne A(2). They are synthesized and released upon cell stimulation and act on cells in the vicinity of their synthesis to exert their actions. Receptors mediating the actions of prostanoids were recently identified and cloned. They are G protein-coupled receptors with seven transmembrane domains. There are eight types and subtypes of prostanoid receptors
The actin cytoskeleton undergoes extensive remodeling during cell morphogenesis and motility. The small guanosine triphosphatase Rho regulates such remodeling, but the underlying mechanisms of this regulation remain unclear. Cofilin exhibits actin-depolymerizing activity that is inhibited as a result of its phosphorylation by LIM-kinase. Cofilin was phosphorylated in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells during lysophosphatidic acid-induced, Rho-mediated neurite retraction. This phosphorylation was sensit
Prostaglandin (PG) E(2) exerts its actions by acting on a group of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). There are four GPCRs responding to PGE(2) designated subtypes EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 and multiple splicing isoforms of the subtype EP3. The EP subtypes exhibit differences in signal transduction, tissue localization, and regulation of expression. This molecular and biochemical heterogeneity of PGE receptors leads to PGE(2) being the most versatile prostanoid. Studies on knock-out mice deficien
Allergic asthma is caused by the aberrant expansion in the lung of T helper cells that produce type 2 (TH2) cytokines and is characterized by infiltration of eosinophils and bronchial hyperreactivity. This disease is often triggered by mast cells activated by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic challenge. Activated mast cells release various chemical mediators, including prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), whose role in allergic asthma has now been investigated by the generation of mice deficient in t
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) are major inflammatory mediators that play important roles in pain sensation and hyperalgesia. The role of their receptors (EP and IP, respectively) in inflammation has been well documented, although the EP receptor subtypes involved in this process and the underlying cellular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The capsaicin receptor TRPV1 is a nonselective cation channel expressed in sensory neurons and activated by various noxious stimuli. T
The Rho subgroup of the Rho GTPases consisting of RhoA, RhoB and RhoC induces a specific type of actin cytoskeleton and carry out a variety of functions in the cell. mDia and ROCK are downstream effectors of Rho mediating Rho action on the actin cytoskeleton; mDia produces actin filaments by nucleation and polymerization and ROCK activate myosin to cross-link them for induction of actomyosin bundles and contractility. mDia is potentially linked to Rac activation and membrane ruffle formation thr
1. Eight types and subtypes of the mouse prostanoid receptor, the prostaglandin D (DP) receptor, the prostaglandin F (FP) receptor, the prostaglandin I (IP) receptor, the thromboxane A (TP) receptor and the EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4 subtypes of the prostaglandin E receptor, were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Their ligand binding characteristics were examined with thirty two prostanoids and their analogues by determining the Ki values from the displacement curves of radioligand bin
© 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
Eight types and subtypes of membrane prostanoid receptors are conserved in mammals from mouse to human (2): the PGD receptor (DP), four subtypes of the PGE receptor (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4), the PGF receptor (FP), the PGI receptor (IP), and the TxA receptor (TP). All are G protein-coupled rhodopsin-type receptors with seven transmembrane domains, and each is encoded by different genes. In addition, there are several splice variants of the EP3, FP, and TP receptors, which differ only in their C-t
Prostaglandins and their precursors Membrane prostanoid receptors: studies in knockout miceEight types and subtypes of membrane prostanoid receptors are conserved in mammals from mouse to human (2): the PGD receptor (DP), four subtypes of the PGE receptor (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4), the PGF receptor (FP), the PGI receptor (IP), and the TxA receptor (TP).All are G protein-coupled rhodopsin-type receptors with seven transmembrane domains, and each is encoded by different genes.In addition, there are
A critical role for the small GTPase Rho and one of its targets, p160ROCK (a Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase), in neurite remodeling was examined in neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells. Using wild-type and a dominant-negative form of p160ROCK and a p160ROCK-specific inhibitor, Y-27632, we show here that p160ROCK activation is necessary and sufficient for the agonist-induced neurite retraction and cell rounding. The neurite retraction was accompanied by elevated phosphorylation of myosi
Rho, a Ras homologue of small GTPase, is present from yeast to mammals. It shuttles between the active GTP-bound form and the inactive GDP-bound form and works as a switch in stimulus-evoked cell adhesion and motility, enhancement of contractile responses, and cytokinesis. In these actions, Rho directs the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton at a specific time and at a specific site in the cell. It also activates serum response factor possibly via a kinase cascade and mediates a growth sign
The Rho guanosine 5'-triphosphatase (GTPase) cycles between the active guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound form and the inactive guanosine diphosphate-bound form and regulates cell adhesion and cytokinesis, but how it exerts these actions is unknown. The yeast two-hybrid system was used to clone a complementary DNA for a protein (designated Rhophilin) that specifically bound to GTP-Rho. The Rho-binding domain of this protein has 40 percent identity with a putative regulatory domain of a protein k
The small GTPase Rho regulates several actomyosin-based cellular processes such as cell adhesion, cytokinesis and contraction. The biochemical mechanisms of these actions remain unknown. Recently, several GTP-Rho binding proteins were isolated. Among them, p140mDia and p160ROCK appear to work as Rho effectors mediating its action on the cytoskeleton. p140mDia induces actin polymerization by recruiting an actin binding protein, profilin, to the site of Rho action. p160ROCK induces focal adhesions
Using a mouse embryo cDNA library, we conducted a two-hybrid screening to identify new partners for the small GTPase Rho. One clone obtained by this procedure contained a novel cDNA of 291 base pairs and interacted strongly with RhoA and RhoC, weakly with RhoB, and not at all with Rac1 and Cdc42Hs. Full-length cDNAs were then isolated from a mouse brain library. While multiple splicing variants were common, we identified three cDNAs with an identical open reading frame encoding a 61-kDa protein
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