M. Ikawa

Immunogenicity and safety of a live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate based on multiple attenuation mechanisms

This study develops a live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate, BK2102, which induces long-term immunity and is safe in animal models.

Architecture of the Vertebrate Egg Coat and Structural Basis of the ZP2 Block to Polyspermy

This study investigates how cleavage of ZP2 in the egg zona pellucida leads to oligomerization and structural changes that block polyspermy.

A CUG-initiated CATSPERθ functions in the CatSper channel assembly and serves as a checkpoint for flagellar trafficking

This study identifies CATSPER{theta} as essential for CatSper channel assembly in sperm flagella, revealing its role in channel formation and flagellar trafficking, leading to male infertility in its absence.

Retrovirus-derived acquired genes, RTL5 and RTL6, are novel constituents of the innate immune system in the eutherian brain.

This study identifies RTL5 and RTL6 as retrovirus-derived genes involved in microglial innate immune responses against pathogens in the eutherian brain.

T cell-intrinsic vitamin A metabolism and its signaling are targets for memory T cell-based cancer immunotherapy

This study identifies vitamin A metabolism and its signaling as regulators of memory T cell differentiation and shows their potential as targets for cancer immunotherapy.

LRRC23 is a conserved component of the radial spoke that is necessary for sperm motility and male fertility in mice

This study identifies LRRC23 as a conserved component of the radial spoke complex in mouse sperm, essential for flagellar motility and male fertility but not ciliary function.

C2cd6-encoded CatSper{tau} Targets Sperm Calcium Channel to Ca2+ Signaling Domains in the Flagellar Membrane

This study identifies CatSper{tau}, a C2cd6-encoded protein, as a critical targeting component for the CatSper Ca2+ channel to the flagellar Ca2+ signaling nanodomains, essential for sperm motility and fertility.

Lipooligosaccharide, Vag8, and pertussis toxin of Bordetella pertussis cooperatively cause coughing in mice

The paper develops a mouse model of whooping cough and identifies that LOS, Vag8, and PTx cooperatively cause coughing by modulating TRPV1 and bradykinin levels.

USP15 participates in HCV propagation through the regulation of viral RNA translation and lipid droplet formation

This study identifies USP15 as a host factor for HCV propagation, showing it regulates viral RNA translation and lipid droplet formation in hepatic cells.

Transgenic mouse lines expressing the 3xFLAG-dCas9 protein for enChIP analysis

The paper develops transgenic mice expressing 3xFLAG-dCas9 for enChIP analysis in primary CD4+ T cells, achieving high yields of targeted genomic region purification.