Laboratory of Pharmacology
Tanahashi Lab
Tanahashi Lab
Welcome to the Laboratory of Pharmacology!
2024/10/30 English page opened.
Research
Smooth muscle, which is located in the walls of visceral organs, plays an important role in several processes in the body, including gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract motility. Smooth muscle contractility is regulated by various neurotransmitters and hormones that act on their receptors in smooth muscles. Activation of these receptors influence ion channels, leading to changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels. An increase in Ca2+ levels causes contraction, whereas a decrease in Ca2+ levels leads to relaxation. Structural and functional changes in the smooth muscle can lead to disorders such as overactive bladder and irritable bowel syndrome. Herein, we focus on understanding (1) the mechanisms that regulate smooth muscle contractility and (2) the pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases associated with smooth muscle abnormality.
Smooth muscle contractility changes in response to mechanical stretching caused by luminal contents in the gastrointestinal tract and bladder, a process mediated by mechanosensitive ion channels. However, the molecular identity of these channels remains unclear. Herein, we aim to elucidate the roles of Piezo channels, a newly discovered type of mechanosensitive nonselective cationic channels, in regulating gastrointestinal motility and detrusor activity.
The bladder has two main functions, i.e., storage and emptying of urine, which are controlled by the relaxation and contraction of detrusor smooth muscles, respectively. Abnormal smooth muscle contractility can cause urinary disorders, including OAB. The common symptoms of OAB include urinary urgency with or without incontinence and frequent urination. These symptoms can seriously affect the quality of life of patients by disrupting sleep, daily activities, and social interactions. Although detrusor overactivity is involved in the disease, the detailed pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, we aim to determine the mechanisms of detrusor overactivity in OAB.
ytanavet*cc.kyoto-su.ac.jp
(please replace -at- with @)
Makoto Nakao (Doctoral student)
Atsunobu Kuranuki (Master’s student)
Yurika Ishida
Akane Sakano
Maiko Nakase
Soyoka Nakamura
Yuna Miyahara
Koki Ota
Satoshi Hoshikawa
Manato Yamada
Tomoya Osumi
Location:
Kyoto Sangyo University
Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-Ku,
Kyoto 603-8555, Japan.
Bldg.15, Room 15B19 (Office)
Access: Kyoto Sangyo University