Download Our brain is made of so many neurons, which communicate each

FUNDING PROGRAM FOR NEXT GENERATION WORLD-LEADING RESEARCHERS
Project Title: Mechanisms for synaptic transmission and synaptic disorders
Name: Masaki FUKATA
Institution: National Institute for Physiological Sciences
1. Background of research
Our brain is made of so many neurons, which communicate each other through synapses (synaptic
transmission). The efficacy of the synaptic transmission flexibly changes in response to various environmental
stimuli (synaptic plasticity), and the synaptic plasticity has often been argued to play an important role in
learning and memory. Disruption of this finely-tuned regulatory system causes abnormal synaptic transmission
and then dysfunction of neuronal circuits, leading to various disorders such as epilepsy and dementia.
2. Research objectives
In this project, we will elucidate the regulatory mechanisms for synaptic transmission and clarify the etiology of
neuropsychiatric disorders by analyzing 1) a novel epilepsy-related ligand/receptor, “LGI1/ADAMs”, and 2)
important regulators of various cell functions, “palmitoylating enzymes”, both of which were discovered by our
own group. Our final goal is to address the fundamental question “How does our brain physiologically function
and how is the system disrupted in brain diseases?”.
3. Research characteristics (incl. originality and creativity)
Our research originality and creativity are based on our developed unique biochemical methods and our
discovered novel molecules. We will also generate the model mice for human epilepsy in which the ligand
“LGI1” is mutated. Thus, we will conduct the integrative research at the levels ranging from the molecule, cell
(synapse), tissue (brain) to body.
4. Anticipated effects and future applications of research
Ligands/receptors and enzymes are promising targets for most of all drugs in use today. Therefore, our
research molecules, LGI1/ADAMs and palmitoylating enzymes, may become attractive targets for synaptic
disorders, such as epilepsy. The gained findings would facilitate design of strategies to modify synaptic
transmission.