Y. Sakai

Regulation of ROP GTPase cycling between active/inactive states is essential for vegetative organogenesis in Marchantia polymorpha

This study investigates the roles of ROP GTPase regulators in organogenesis of Marchantia polymorpha, showing that both GAPs and GEFs are essential for controlling the active/inactive cycle of MpROP.

Gluconeogenesis in the YSL-like tissue of cloudy catshark (Scyliorhinus torazame).

This study identifies gluconeogenic activity in the YSL-like tissue of cloudy catshark embryos, suggesting conserved yolk metabolism mechanisms between teleosts and elasmobranchs.

Syntaxin 17 recruitment to mature autophagosomes is temporally regulated by PI4P accumulation

The paper shows that STX17 recruitment to mature autophagosomes is temporally regulated by PI4P-driven changes in membrane charge.

Autophagy adaptors mediate Parkin-dependent mitophagy by forming sheet-like liquid condensates

This study shows that autophagy adaptors form liquid-like condensates to facilitate mitophagy by enabling membrane contacts during Parkin-mediated mitochondrial degradation.

An open-source FACS automation system for high-throughput cell biology

The paper develops an open-source FACS automation system that reduces labor and errors in high-throughput cell sorting by integrating hardware and software for autonomous sample handling and gate generation.

ncBAF, a chromatin remodeler, enhances PXR-mediated transcriptional activation in the human and mouse liver

This study shows that inhibiting BRD9, a component of ncBAF, reduces PXR-mediated transcriptional activation and associated adverse effects in liver cells and mice.

An engineered ACE2 decoy broadly neutralizes Omicron subvariants and shows therapeutic effect in SARS-CoV-2-infected cynomolgus macaques

This paper shows an engineered ACE2 decoy neutralizes Omicron subvariants and is effective in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in macaques.

Impact of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants in previously infected hamsters

This study investigates reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants in previously infected hamsters, finding that immunity prevents pneumonia but allows viral replication in the upper airways with increased mutation diversity.

SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 is a viral cytokine regulating immune responses

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 protein acts as a cytokine that promotes lung inflammation and immune dysregulation in COVID-19, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target.

Experimental determination and mathematical modeling of standard shapes of forming autophagosomes

The paper determines the average shapes of forming autophagosomes using 3D electron microscopy and develops a model showing their morphology is determined by the ratio of rim size to surface area.

Testing the Tea Bag Index as a potential indicator for assessing litter decomposition in aquatic ecosystems

The paper validates the Tea Bag Index method in aquatic ecosystems and finds it inaccurate due to non-plateauing decomposition and model discrepancies.

SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 disturbs nucleocytoplasmic trafficking to advance the viral replication

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 disrupts nucleocytoplasmic trafficking by inhibiting STAT1 nuclear translocation and binding importin 1, enhancing viral replication, particularly in older individuals.

Evaluating the tea bag method as a potential tool for detecting the effects of added nutrients and their interactions with climate on litter decomposition

This study evaluates the tea bag method's ability to detect nutrient addition effects and their interaction with climate on litter decomposition, finding it effective for early-stage but not late-stage decomposition.

Effects of water content and mesh size on tea bag decomposition

This study examines how water content and mesh size affect tea bag decomposition rates in controlled and field settings, finding that decomposition increases with water content up to a point and that finer mesh sizes do not always reduce decomposition rates.

High affinity modified ACE2 receptors protect from SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters

The paper engineers high-affinity ACE2 receptors to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in hamsters, showing protection against infection without viral escape mutations.

Generation of human bronchial organoids for SARS-CoV-2 research

This paper generates human bronchial organoids that support SARS-CoV-2 infection and drug testing, showing reduced viral load with TMPRSS2 inhibition.

Inhibition of TRPV1 and TRPA1 by mosquito and mouse saliva

This study identifies mosquito and mouse saliva as inhibitors of TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels, with sialorphin as a candidate antinociceptive peptide, and confirms antinociceptive effects in vivo.