Aya Takesono&refresh | Biosciences | University of Exeter

Dr Aya Takesono

Postdoctoral researcher

A.Takesono@exeter.ac.uk

+44 (0)1392 263780

Geoffrey Pope 219/201

Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter , Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK

Overview

I am a research fellow who is currently working on molecular embryology using the zebrafish embryo. My scientific expertise includes biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, immunology and mouse genetics in combination with cell biology techniques. My recent research greatly focuses on the study of molecular mechanisms underlining cell movement.

Qualifications

1999 PhD Pharmacology, University of Tokyo, Japan
1996 MSc Pharmacology, University of Tokyo, Japan
1994 BSc Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sc

Career

2007-present Royal Society Research Fellow, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, UK
2003-2006 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University College London, UK
2003-2000 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institute of Health, USA

Research

Research interests

My research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlining cell migration, which are fundamental to a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including embryonic development, tissue repair, immune responses, and cancer cell metastasis. In particular, I am currently working on primordial germ cell (PGC) migration using the zebrafish embryo as a model organism.

The zebrafish embryo is an ideal model system for studying PGC migration due to 1) the transparency of the embryo, allowing in vivo analyses of cell migration and development, 2) the availability of various mutant stocks and the morpholino antisense oligo nucleotide gene knockdown system, and 3) the availability of PGC marker genes, for which localisation and functions are well characterised.

Using this system, I aim to address whether and how cytoskeleton dynamics and their regulators contribute to PGC migration. In addition to the studying orginary cell migration, I also plan to investigate the effects of environmental toxins on PGC migration, which have been shown to alter germ cells and the gonads development, leading to the reproductive defects.

Publications

Journal articles

Takesono A, Kudoh T, Tyler CR (2022). Application of Transgenic Zebrafish Models for Studying the Effects of Estrogenic Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals on Embryonic Brain Development. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13

Takesono A, Heasman SJ, Wojciak-Stothard B, Garg R, Ridley AJ (2010). Microtubules regulate migratory polarity through Rho/ROCK signaling in T cells. PLoS One, 5(1). Abstract.

David R, Ma L, Ivetic A, Takesono A, Ridley AJ, Chai J-G, Tybulewicz VL, Marelli-Berg FM (2009). T-cell receptor- and CD28-induced Vav1 activity is required for the accumulation of primed T cells into antigenic tissue. Blood, 113(16), 3696-3705. Abstract. Author URL.

Jarmin SJ, David R, Ma L, Chai J-G, Dewchand H, Takesono A, Ridley AJ, Okkenhaug K, Marelli-Berg FM (2008). T cell receptor-induced phosphoinositide-3-kinase p110delta activity is required for T cell localization to antigenic tissue in mice. J Clin Invest, 118(3), 1154-1164. Abstract. Author URL.

Dombroski D, Houghtling RA, Labno CM, Precht P, Takesono A, Caplen NJ, Billadeau DD, Wange RL, Burkhardt JK, Schwartzberg PL, et al (2005). Kinase-independent functions for Itk in TCR-induced regulation of Vav and the actin cytoskeleton. J Immunol, 174(3), 1385-1392. Abstract. Author URL.

Dutra, A. Takesono, A. Garrett-Beal, L. (2004). Improved generation of C57BL/6J mouse embryonic stem cells in a defined serum-free media. Genesis, 39(2):100-4

tak101, Dombroski D, Horai R, Mandai M (2004). Requirement for Tec kihases in chemokine-induced migration and activation of Cdc42 and Rac. Current Biology, 14(10), 917-922.

tak101, Burkhardt JK, Finkelstein LD, Labno CM (2003). Itk functions to control actin polymerization at the immune synapse through localized activation of Cdc42 and WASP. Current Biology, 13(18), 1619-1624.

tak101, Cismowski M, Duzic E, Lanier SM (2002). Activator of G-protein signaling 1 blocks GIRK channel activation by a G-protein-coupled receptor - Apparent disruptor of receptor signaling complexes. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277(16), 13827-13830.

Takesono A, Finkelstein LD, Schwartzberg PL (2002). Beyond calcium: new signaling pathways for Tec family kinases. J Cell Sci, 115(Pt 15), 3039-3048. Abstract. Author URL.

Cismowski MJ, Takesono A, Ma C, Lanier SM, Duzic E (2002). Identification of modulators of mammalian G-protein signaling by functional screens in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods Enzymol, 344, 153-168. Author URL.

Takesono, A. Sato, M. Hildebrandt, J.D. (2002). Pertussis toxin-insensitive activation of the heterotrimeric G-proteins Gi/Go by the NG108-15 G-protein activator. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 27;277(52):50223-5

Pizzinat N, Takesono A, Lanier SM (2001). Identification of a truncated form of the G-protein regulator AGS3 in heart that lacks the tetratricopeptide repeat domains. J Biol Chem, 276(20), 16601-16610. Abstract. Author URL.

Cismowski MJ, Takesono A, Ma C, Lizano JS, Xie X, Fuernkranz H, Lanier SM, Duzic E (1999). Genetic screens in yeast to identify mammalian nonreceptor modulators of G-protein signaling. Nat Biotechnol, 17(9), 878-883. Abstract. Author URL.

Takesono A, Zahner J, Blumer KJ, Nagao T, Kurose H (1999). Negative regulation of alpha2-adrenergic receptor-mediated Gi signalling by a novel pathway. Biochem J, 343 Pt 1(Pt 1), 77-85. Abstract. Author URL.

Takesono A, Cismowski MJ, Ribas C, Bernard M, Chung P, Hazard S, Duzic E, Lanier SM (1999). Receptor-independent activators of heterotrimeric G-protein signaling pathways. J Biol Chem, 274(47), 33202-33205. Abstract. Author URL.

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