Author

Mai Watabe

Tohoku University

Listed by name: these papers carry no ORCID for this author, so different people with the same name may be mixed together.

Biology Disciplines

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Biochemistry· 2 Bioengineering· 1 Biophysics· 1

Signature Assays, Organisms & Methods

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Approach:experimental assay· 3 Research Focus:cell signaling & trafficking· 2 Research Focus:cell type annotation· 2 Research Focus:protein folding & dynamics· 2 Assay:protein structure· 2 Assay:proteomics· 2 Research Focus:drug response / drug discovery· 1 Organism:human· 1

Frequent Co-Authors

Masaki OkumuraiD· 4 shared Takahiro MuraokaiD· 3 shared Takakazu NakabayashiiD· 3 shared Eiichiro MoriiD· 2 shared Hiroyuki KumetaiD· 2 shared Kenta AraiiD· 2 shared Mayuko Hashimoto· 2 shared Motonori MatsusakiiD· 2 shared

Activity by Year

2024-2026 · peak 2/yr

Co-Author Collaboration Network

10 top collaborators · 45 mutual co-author links

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4 shared papersBiochemistry

Masaki OkumuraORCID

Mutual co-authors in cluster

Author profile →

4 papers

Recent·Most cited

Chemical Boosting of Foldase Condensates Accelerates Oxidative Protein Folding

Mai Watabe, Tsubura Kuramochi, Momoka Fukushima, Misaki Kinoshita, Hiroki Akiba, Kazunori Ban, Mayuko Hashimoto, Noriyuki Uchida, Kenta Arai, Takakazu Nakabayashi, Johannes Büchner, Takahiro Muraoka, Masaki Okumura

This study develops a chemical method to enhance oxidative protein folding within PDIA6 condensates, showing up to 12-fold acceleration in vitro and improved insulin secretion in cells.

bioRxiv · Jul 10, 2026 · PreprintBioengineering

Lipids Are Involved in Heterochromatin Condensation: A Quantitative Raman and Brillouin Microscopy Study

Masato Machida, Shinji Kajimoto, Ren Shibuya, Mayu Isono, Mai Watabe, Yukako Oma, Kayo Hibino, Kentaro Fujii, Masaki Okumura, Masahiko Harata, Atsushi Shibata, Takakazu Nakabayashi

This study uses Raman-Brillouin microscopy to show lipids are enriched in heterochromatin and influence its mechanical properties in living cells.

JACS Au · Apr 24, 2026Peer-reviewedBiophysics

Ca2+-driven PDIA6 phase separation to ensure proinsulin quality control

Young‐Ho Lee, Tomohide Saio, Mai Watabe, Motonori Matsusaki, Shingo Kanemura, Yuxi Lin, Taro Mannen, Tsubura Kuramochi, Yuka Kamada, Katsuya Iuchi, Michiko Tajiri, Kotono Suzuki, Yan Li, Yunseok Heo, Kotone Ishii, , Masaki Okumura

This study shows Ca2+ induces PDIA6 phase separation, enhancing proinsulin folding and preventing aggregation through recruitment of PDIA3.

Nature Cell Biology · Nov 1, 2025Peer-reviewedBiochemistry

Conserved loop of a phase modifier endows protein condensates with fluidity

Honoka Kawamukai, Motonori Matsusaki, Takanari Tanimoto, Mai Watabe, Ken Morishima, Shunsuke Tomita, Yoichi Shinkai, Tatsuya Niwa, Taro Mannen, Hiroyuki Kumeta, Hitoki Nanaura, Kotona Kato, Takuya Mabuchi, Yuichiro Aiba, Takeru Uehara, , Tomohide Saio

This study identifies Kapβ2 as a target of DPRs, showing how DPR binding alters its phase-modifying function, leading to toxic RBP condensates in ALS models.

bioRxiv · Jul 3, 2024 · PreprintBiochemistry