←HPicon
- ISHIZAKI, Shoichiro
- Professor
- Research
topics -
Characterization and utilization of various biologically active substances from aquatic resources
Establishment of simplified identification methods of various processed marine food products by using DNA-based assay
Characterization of structure and function of marine-origin proteins and the related enzymes - keywords
- DNA, Species identification, Fish muscle protein, Saponin, cDNA cloning
- KOYAMA, Hiroki
- Assistant Professor
- Research
topics -
Structure and tissue distribution of myosin heavy chains from abdominal muscle of shrimps
Relationship between osmoregulation and free amino acid accumulation in the tissues of coastal shrimps
Physiological function of free D-aspartic acid in the nervous system of cephalopods and enzymatic properties of aspartate racemase - keywords
- Muscle, Myosin heavy chain, Osmoregulation, Free amino acids, D-aspartate, Aspartate racemase, cDNA cloning, Recombinant protein
- Objective and meaning of our research
“Understand, learn from, and then utilize organisms, their constituents, and their functions” 
- 1．Fundamental studies on risk management of tetrodotoxin
- How do pufferfish live with tetrodotoxin (TTX)? This remains a mystery even today. In particular, we investigate the mechanism by which pufferfish take in (accumulate) the toxin. Our aim is to reveal the mechanism of toxification and then to produce toxin-free, safe pufferfish. On the other hand, the shore crab, which is often found on the seashore, contains the TTX-binding protein in its body fluid. Our aim is to reveal the mechanism by which the TTX-binding protein binds to TTX, and to make use of the results to develop new analytical and inspectional reagents as well as new therapeutic agents for TTX poisoning. Both of these are important studies that will contribute to food safety.
Fugulantern
Shore crab Hemingrapsus sanguineus
- 2．Production of new functional food materials from unutilized marine resources and fish processing wastes
- It has been reported that at least 250,000 species live in the oceans and about 14% of these (approximately 34,000 species), live in Japanese territorial waters. Although humans benefit greatly by utilizing marine bioresources in various ways, only an extremely small portion of marine organisms are currently being utilized. To make better use of the unutilized marine bioresources, we conduct research into the identification of biologically active substances (antimicrobial, antitumor, or anticancer substances) in order to make good use of the various species of Starfish (such as crown-of-thorns starfish, Northern Pacific seastar, and brittle star) living in Japanese coastal areas. Further, we identify and research anti-allergic biologically active substances to make good use of large amounts of tuna skin discarded as waste when sashimi is produced.
With the aim of using such bioresources as new functional food materials, we are working toward the purification, structure determination, and clarification of the action mechanism of these active ingredients.
- 3．Development of identification technique for the raw materials of marine food products
- Focusing on fishery products such as tuna, which is important to the food industry, and pufferfish, which is toxic and important with respect to food sanitation, we are currently developing a DNA-based technique for identifying species used as raw materials in marine food products, in order to enhance food safety and security, which have been emphasized in recent times. We are also working toward the development of a DNA-based technique that can be used to identify the causes of food poisoning and to check the mixing ratio of an allergenic food material.
We have received requests for DNA examination using this technique by administrative bodies and private companies.
Shore crab Hemingrapsus sanguineus
Shore crab Hemingrapsus sanguineus
- 4．Identifying functionalities of marine food products
- While it has been pointed out that the consumption of fish in Japan has decreased, particularly among young people, there has been a fish-eating boom in foreign countries, including developed countries, because marine food products are recognized as the most effective food for preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as arteriosclerosis and hypertension. In other words, functional nutrients contained in marine products have attracted the attention of consumers, based on scientific evidence. In this regard, we are searching for various functional nutrients contained in marine products. In particular, we are looking for functional ingredients in Japanese traditional food materials that are consumed in various parts of the country, and we are investigating the influence of these functional ingredients on human health and life span.
Shore crab Hemingrapsus sanguineus
- 5．Search for molecular markers responsive to fish and shellfish allergy and their application to diagnosis
- Fish and shellfish allergic diseases are caused by an exaggerated immune response to foreign substances due to disorders in the immune system, which normally functions in self-defense. We aim to clarify the phenomena occurring in the immune system during this process and to identify the “on/off” switch for the occurrence of allergy at the gene level. In addition, we hope to find a method leading to the diagnosis and prevention of allergy on the basis of the behavior of a gene cluster relating to the occurrence of allergy.
Shore crab Hemingrapsus sanguineus
Shore crab Hemingrapsus sanguineus
