Research and Education

Our studies have revealed that cell competition occurs at the interface between normal and transformed epithelial cells. Consequently, transformed cells often become losers and are eliminated from epithelial tissues via apical extrusion or cell death (Hogan et al., 2009, Nature Cell Biology) (Fig. 1). During the process of cell competition, normal cells recognize the presence of neighboring transformed cells and actively eliminate them from the cell society. This indicates that normal epithelia have anti-tumor activity that does not involve immune systems. We term this phenomenon EDAC (Epithelial Defense Against Cancer) (Kajita et al., 2014, Nature Communications) (Fig. 2). The next question is how epithelial cells recognize the differences from each other. Using various screening approaches, we are now trying to identify molecules that are involved in intercellular recognition machinery.

The lab members acquire techniques of cell biology, biochemistry and mouse (or drosophila) genetics. Through the various intra- or inter-lab meetings, presentation and scientific communication skills are trained. We aim to issue world-leading next generation scientists from Yasu lab.

(Fig. 1) Upon cell competition against normal epithelial cells,transformed cells (red arrows) are apically extruded from the epithelial layer.

(Fig. 2) Molecular mechanisms of EDAC.

Recent Publications

1. Mori, Y., Shiratsuchi, N., Sato, S., Chaya, A., Tanimura, N., Ishikawa, S., Kato, M., Kameda, I., Kon, S., Haraoka, Y., Ishitani, T., and Fujita, Y. (2022) Extracellular ATP facilitates cell extrusion from epithelial layers mediated by cell competition or apoptosis. Current Biology, S0960-9822(22)00491-2
2. Kohashi, K., Mori, Y., Narumi, R., Kozawa, K., Kamasaki, T., Ishikawa, S., Kajita, M., Kobayashi, R., Tamori, Y., and Fujita, Y. (2021) Sequential Oncogenic Mutations Influence Cell Competition. Current Biology, S0960-9822(21)00893-9
3. Kozawa,K., Sekai, M., Ohba, K., Ito, S., Sako, H., Maruyama, T., Kakeno, M., Shirai, T., Kuromiya, K., Kamasaki, T., Kohashi, K., Tanaka, S., Ishikawa, S., Sato, N., Asano, S., Suzuki, H., Tanimura, N., Mukai, Y., Gotoh, N., Tanino, M., Tanaka, S., Natsuga, K., Soga, T., Nakamura, T., Yabuta, Y., Saitou, M., Ito, T., Matsuura, K., Tsunoda, M., Kikumori, T., Iida, T., Mizutani, Y., Miyai, Y., Kaibuchi, K., Enomoto, A., and Fujita, Y. (2021) The CD44/COL17A1 Pathway Promotes the Formation of Multilayered, Transformed Epithelia. Current Biology, 31(14),3086-3097
4. Kon, S., Ishibashi, K., Katoh, H., Kitamoto, S., Shirai, T., Tanaka, S., Kajita, M., Ishikawa, S., Yamauchi, H., Yako, Y., Kamasaki, T., Matsumoto, T., Watanabe, H., Egami, R., Sasaki, A., Nishikawa, A., Kameda, I., Maruyama, T., Narumi, R., Morita, T., Sasaki, Y., Enoki, R., Honma, S., Imamura, H., Oshima, M., Soga, T., Miyazaki, J., Duchen, M. R., Nam, J.-M., Onodera, Y., Yoshioka, S., Kikuta, J., Ishii, M., Imajo, M., Nishida, E., Fujioka, Y., Ohba, Y., Sato, T., and Fujita, Y. (2017) Cell competition with normal epithelial cells promotes apical extrusion of transformed cells through metabolic changes. Nature Cell Biology, 19(5):530-541.
5. Hogan, C., Dupré-Crochet, S., Norman, M., Kajita, M., Zimmermann, C., Pelling, A.E., Piddini, E., Baena-López, L.A., Vincent, J. P., Hosoya, H., Itoh, Y., Pichaud, F. and Fujita, Y. (2009) Characterization of the interface between normal and transformed epithelial cells. Nature Cell Biology, 11 (4), 460-467.

Laboratory

M.D., Ph.D. Professor: Yasuyuki Fujita
Associate Professor: Yoichiro Tamori
Assistant Professor: Nobuyuki Tanimura
Assistant Professor: Kazuhito Sai
Program-Specific Assistant Professor: Miho Sekai
Program-Specific Assistant Professor: Nami Sugiyama

TEL: 075-753-9307
FAX: 075-753-9309
email: fujita[@]monc.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp
URL: https://molonc.researcherinfo.net