biology

Masatoshi Takeichi

Masatoshi Takeichi is a biology topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Masatoshi Takeichi rather than just read about it. In short: Masatoshi Takeichi (竹市雅俊, Takeichi Masatoshi, born November 27, 1943) is a Japanese cell biologist known for his identification of the cadherin class of adhesion molecules, which plays important roles in the construction of tissues. He shared the 2005 Japan Prize with Erkki Ruoslahti for "fundamental contribution in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion".

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Reference excerpt

Masatoshi Takeichi (竹市　雅俊, Takeichi Masatoshi, born November 27, 1943) is a Japanese cell biologist known for his identification of the cadherin class of adhesion molecules, which plays important roles in the construction of tissues. He shared the 2005 Japan Prize with Erkki Ruoslahti for "fundamental contribution in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion". He was selected as a Member of the Japan Academy (MJA) in 2000 and as a Foreign Associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences.

Early life and education Takeichi was born in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on November 27, 1943. He received his BSc in 1966 and MSc in 1968 from Nagoya University, and his Ph.D. in Biophysics from Kyoto University in 1973.

Academic career In 1970 Takeichi became a member of the faculty of Kyoto University, and he served as Professor of Biophysics from 1986 to 2002. During his time at Kyoto, he studied abroad at the Carnegie Institute Department of Embryology for a fellowship. In 2000, he was appointed as Director of the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology (RIKEN CDB).

Research contributions In 1977 Takeichi discovered cadherin, and since then he has contributed to clarify its functions in tissue construction and to understand the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion. After his discovery of cadherins, he continued to research cadherins and their properties. Along with cadherins, he also researched cell junctions and adhesions. He continues to research at RIKEN today.

Discovery of the Cadherin Family While first working in Kyoto, Takeichi was using trypsin to study cell adhesions and aggregation. Once he moved to the Carnegie Institution, he realized the trypsin he was using behaved differently. This trypsin solution contained EDTA, along with the trypsin, which disturbed adhesion. The EDTA sequesters calcium ions, so Takeichi began testing for adhesion dependent on calcium. He used Chinese Hamster V79 cells and treated them with a variety of treatments, including EDTA, trypsin + EDTA, and trypsin + calcium. Once treated, these cells were tested for aggregation levels. He found that both calcium dependent and calcium independent pathways existed, and that the calcium treatment prevent trypsin's effects on the cell. Takeichi knew there was calcium dependent molecule that served an important role, but he had to find it. Rolf Kemler's anti serum was what helped him finally identify cadherin. E-cadherin was the first of the cadherin family to be discovered. During this research, Takeichi also observed changes in the morphology of the cells involved with adhesions. He accurately hypothesized that the adhesions dependent on calcium played a role in managing cells' morphogenetic behavior. His discovery of the cadherin family led to a developing field of studying adhesions pathways.

Other contributions Takeichi, along with other scientists, studied the mechanism behind hemagglutinin from Botulism and its effect on the epithelial barrier of the intestines. They found the hemagglutinin directly interacted with the e-cadherin in the epithelial cells to disturbed cell to cell adhesion. This interaction like cell to cell adhesion is dependent on calcium ions. An assay showed the hemaglutinin interaction is specific to e-cadherin. Outside of cadherin, Takeichi studied other molecules involved with cell adhesion and beyond. He studied alpha-catenin functions outside of their functions within cell adhesion. The results showed alpha-catenin have a variety of functions outside of cadherin and adhesion. It regulates multiple different molecules, like actin and RhoGEF.

Recognition 1992 Chunichi Culture Award 1994 Asahi Prize 1996 Japan Academy Prize 2001 Ross Harrison Prize, International Society of Developmental Biologists 2001 Keio Medical Science Prize 2004 Person of Cultural Merit 2005 Japan Prize 2012 Thomson Reuters Citation Laureates 2014 American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow 2020 Canada Gairdner International Award. 2021 Asian Scientist 100, Asian Scientist

Selected papers Takeichi, M (1977). "Functional correlation between cell adhesive properties and some cell surface proteins". J. Cell Biol. 75 (2): 464–474. doi:10.1083/jcb.75.2.464. PMC 2109947. PMID 264120. Yoshida, N.; Takeichi, M. (1982). "Teratocarcinoma cell adhesion: Identification of a cell surface protein involved in calcium-dependent cell aggregation". Cell. 28 (2): 217–224. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(82)90339-7. PMID 7060128. S2CID 44294728. Hatta, K.; Takeichi, M. (1986). "Expression of N-cadherin adhesion molecules associated with early morphogenetic events in chicken embryos". Nature. 320 (6061): 447–449. doi:10.1038/320447a0. PMID 3515198. S2CID 4303823. Nagafuchi, A.; Shirayoshi, Y.; Okazaki, K.; Yasuda, K.; Takeichi, M. (1987). "Transformation of cell adhesion properties by exogenously introduced E-cadherin cDNA". Nature. 329 (6137): 341–343. Bibcode:1987Natur.329..341N. doi:10.1038/329341a0. PMID 3498123. S2CID 4351234. Hirano, S.; Kimoto, N.; Shimoyama, Y.; Hirohashi, S.; Takeichi, M. (1992). "Identification of a neural alpha-catenin as a key regulator of cadherin function and multicellular organization". Cell. 70 (2): 293–301. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(92)90103-j. PMID 1638632. S2CID 29963709.

External links [www.japan-acad.go.jp/en/members/4/takeichi_masatoshi.html Masatoshi Takeichi, Japan Academy] Masatoshi Takeichi, Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences of U.S.A.

References

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Masatoshi Takeichi

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Masatoshi Takeichi claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In biology, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Masatoshi Takeichi before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Masatoshi Takeichi ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Masatoshi Takeichi

In research: Masatoshi Takeichi appears in biology research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Masatoshi Takeichi in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Masatoshi Takeichi is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics 1943 births, 21st-century Japanese biologists, Academic staff of Kyoto University, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Masatoshi Takeichi outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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Frequently asked questions

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Why does Masatoshi Takeichi matter?

Because it connects several biology ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

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Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

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