T. Nagata

Active state structures of a bistable visual opsin bound to G proteins

This study presents active state structures of a bistable opsin, JSR1, bound to G proteins, revealing differences in activation mechanisms between monostable and bistable opsins.

Impact of climate change and oligotrophication on quality and quantity of lake primary production: A case study in Lake Biwa

This study examines how climate change and oligotrophication affect primary production in Lake Biwa, finding reduced overall production but stable inedible/edible phytoplankton balance.

Characterization of sinking and suspended microeukaryotic communities in spring Oyashio waters

This study characterizes sinking and suspended microeukaryotic communities in Oyashio waters using 18S rDNA metabarcoding, revealing depth-related differences and functional roles in the biological carbon pump.

Exon 44 skipping in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: NS-089/NCNP-02, a dual-targeting antisense oligonucleotide

This study develops NS-089/NCNP-02, a dual-targeting ASO for exon 44 skipping in DMD, showing effective in vitro and in vivo exon skipping and dystrophin expression.

Structural basis for ion selectivity in potassium-selective channelrhodopsins

The paper determines the cryo-EM structures of two K+-selective channelrhodopsins, revealing a unique mechanism for K+ selectivity distinct from canonical K+ channels.

Energy transfer in ubiquitous rhodopsin pumps with xanthophyll antennas

The paper detects energy transfer from hydroxylated carotenoids to rhodopsin proton pumps in marine and freshwater bacteria.

High-performance GPCR optogenetics based on molecular properties of animal opsins, MosOpn3 and LamPP

This study evaluates two animal opsins, MosOpn3 and LamPP, for GPCR optogenetics in C. elegans, showing high sensitivity and color-dependent behavioral control.

Structural basis for channel conduction in the pump-like channelrhodopsin ChRmine

The paper presents the cryo-EM structure of ChRmine, revealing unique architectural features and provides insights into its conduction mechanism and potential for optogenetic applications.

Size-dependent susceptibility of lake phytoplankton to light stress: An implication for succession of large green algae in a deep oligotrophic lake

The study examines how light stress affects phytoplankton of different sizes in Lake Biwa, finding that larger cells are more resistant to photodamage due to lower chlorophyll-a concentrations.

Characterization of heliorhodopsins detected via functional metagenomics in freshwater Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Archaea

This paper discovers and characterizes ten new heliorhodopsins from freshwater microbes using functional metagenomics, revealing their light absorption properties and potential roles in membrane lipid remodeling and oxidative stress.

Date palm virus A: first plant virus found in date palm trees

The paper identifies a novel virus in date palms, DPVA, which shares genomic features with garlic yellow mosaic-associated virus and suggests a potential taxonomic revision.

Exploration of natural red-shifted rhodopsins using a machine learning-based Bayesian experimental design

The paper uses a machine learning model to identify red-shifted rhodopsins, finding 80% of selected candidates show red-shift gains, with some having desirable ion-transporting properties.