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Osaka University
Institute for Protein Research
Tsukihara Lab
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Welcome
to Tsukihara Lab!
The aim of this laboratory is to elucidate the protein structure-function relationships
and to establish general principles for protein architecture.
Professors, researchers and graduate students here cooperate and work
together to explore mystery of life.
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Research
Subjects
Three-dimensional
protein structure brings us the beautiful structural biology. X-ray
crystallography is the best method to determine atomic coordinates of protein
molecules. The main aim of our reserch is the X-ray
structure determination of the biological macromolecular assemblies including
membrane protein complexes, in order to elucidate the molecular mechanism of
the highly organized biological processes at atomic level.
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In 1995 Dr.Tsukihara succeeded in
structural determination of Bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase, which was the
first mammalian membrane protein structure determined.
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Reserach
Activities
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 Crystal
Structure Analysis of Bovine Cytochrome c Oxidase
Bovine cytochrome c oxidase is a large multicomponent
membrane protein complex functioning as a dimer with a molecular weight of
400K daltons comprising two copies of 13 different
subunits. We have determined crystal structures of several states of the
enzyme. Higher resolution analyses are in progress to elucidate the molecular
mechanism of respiration.
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Crystal Structure
Analysis of Bovine Proteasome
Eukaryotic 20S proteasomes are multicatalitic proteinase complex with a molecular weight
of 750K daltons, containing respectively, two
copies of a hetero-heptamer of α-type subunits and that of β-type
subunits,(α1-7 β1-7).We have determined
the crystal structure of the enzyme purified from bovine liver. The enzyme
exists in the cell as 26S proteasome with a molecular weight of 2300KDa.
Crystallization of 26S proteasome is in progress.
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Crystal
Structure Analysis of Rice Dwarf Virus
Rice dwarf virus(RDV)is a double-shelled spherical plant virus with a
molecular weight of 75,000K daltons. We have
determined the novel structure of the virus at 3.5Å
resolution.
 Moving
Imagehttp://www.actioforma.net/gallery/en_rdv2006/rdv2006.html
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Studies
on the Structure-Function Relationships of a-Amylase and Related Enzymes
We have so far determined the structures of a-Amylases and related enzymes;
Taka-amylase, B. thermophillus cyclodextrin
glucanotransferase, P.stutzeri
maltotetraose-forming a-amylase, and recently
Pseudomonas isoamylase. Through these structure
analyses, the specificitiese of their substrate
binding and the catalytic mechanism have been clarified using mutant enzymes
when necessary. We are extending there structural
studies for other important mutants and also for other kind of a-amylase
family enzymes in collaboration with biochemists.
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Results of Research(Papers)
Professor Tomitake Tsukihara's Profile
Laboratory
Members
Seminars & Events
Admission
Links
Access to the Institute
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Tsukihara Lab
Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University
Address: 3-2 Yamadaoka,
Suita, Osaka 565-0871, JAPAN
Phone: +81-6-6879-4331 Fax: +81-6-6879-4331
E-mail: tsuki*protein.osaka-u.ac.jp (Please replace * by @)
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