Evaluating novel physiological functions of membrane transport proteins for new drug development

In food digestion and absorption, transport of small molecules such as ions, water, and nutrients through membrane transport proteins (pumps, channels, and transporters) plays significant roles. To evaluate the purpose of evaluating the relationship between diseases, especially cancers, and change in ion transport mechanisms in the digestive organs such as the stomach, the intestine, and the liver, we conduct multi-level research from the molecular level to the tissue or the animal levels by using a variety of techniques such as electrophysiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Our specific research targets include (1) gastric proton pump contributing to gastric acid secretion, (2) sodium pump showing abnormal expression in cancers, (3) ion channels associated with water absorption and diarrhea onset in the large intestine, (4) ion channel (transient receptor potential channel family) involved in taste perception, (5) volume-regulated anion channel relating to cell volume regulation, (6) orphan cation pump with unknown functions. We would like to provide a new idea to develop novel drugs for patients and their families by clarifying the onset mechanism of various diseases involving membrane transport proteins.