A:Nuclear receptors are a family of ligandregulated transcription factors —proteins that control the transcription of specific genetic information—that are activated by small hydrophobic signaling molecules such as steroid hormones, thyroid ormone and activated vitamin A (retinoid) and D.Nuclear receptors regulate various biological phenomena, including growth, development, metabolism, the immune system,and homeostasis, and are signifi cant molecular targets for drug discovery in the fields of cancer, metabolic syndromes, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.

A: We have been extensively studying retinoids (active vitamin A). There are two classes of retinoid nuclear receptors, RARs and RXRs. RXRs play significant roles in nuclear receptor actions by forming heterodimers with various nuclear receptors. We have developed various specific agonists and antagonists for RARs and RXRs. Further, we recently found retinoids with non-classical action mechanisms.
We have also determined the crystal structures of nuclear receptor ligand-binding domains and the ligand-dependent activation mechanism, which enabled us to rationally design selective ligands of nuclear receptors. Further, we have advanced medicinal chemistry of nuclear receptors by successfully developing novel hydrophobic pharmacophores,which have been applied to the development of synthetic steroid hormones and vitamin D analogs with unique structures.

A: We have promoted the collaboration with medical and dental researchers. With my colleagues at TMDU, we have recently identified novel bioactive molecules, such as activators of a transcriptional coactivator TAZ involved in the Hippo pathway, the WNK signaling inhibitors as a new class of antihypertensive drugs, and inhibitors of the Nrf2 signaling pathway that plays a critical role in regulating cellular defenses against electrophilic and oxidative stress.
For example, we screened nearly 18,000 molecules in the chemical library of our institute for TAZ activators, and identifi ed one compound that enhanced the myogenesis in mouse C2C12 myoblast cells from 55 hit compounds, which is a promising lead compound for a drug to prevent muscle atrophy and facilitate muscle regeneration after injury.

A:Our synthetic retinoid, Am80 (Tamibarotene) is now clinically used as a drug for acute propyelocytic leukemia (APL). Now, we are trying to use the drug to treat other diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and Alzheimer’s disease.