The Human Glycome Atlas (HGA) project is a collaborative effort between the Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE) at Nagoya University, the Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS) at the National Institutes of Natural Sciences, and the Glycan and Life Systems Integration Center (GaLSIC) at Soka University. Our aim to elucidate the glycans and biosynthetic mechanisms in humans. This paper provides an overview of the Knowledgebase TOHSA being developed by HGA Segment 4 (TOHSA Development Unit). ...and more
Diabetes and obesity-related metabolic disorders pose a significant global health burden, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. The cornerstone of managing these conditions lies in lifestyle modifications, including diet and physical activity. Excessive sugar intake, driven by modern dietary habits, has been implicated in the rising prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. This has spurred interest in safer sugar alternatives. While artificial sweeteners have been explored for their potential benefits in managing obesity and diabetes, some studies suggest they may adversely affect glucose metabolism, necessitating careful evaluation of their use. D-allulose, a naturally occurring rare sugar, has gained attention as a promising alternative. Our clinical research suggests that D-allulose may improve glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes. This review consolidates the current evidence on the effects of D-allulose on diabetes, obesity, and fat metabolism, and assesses its potential for clinical application. ...and more
Cartilage is a tissue that does not regenerate itself naturally, and the number of patients with osteoarthritis continues to increase. Current treatment methods have limitations, making the development of new regenerative technologies an urgent task. The author has developed a wood-derived sponge hydrogel that retains the skeletal structure of wood while controlling the amount of hydrogen bonding between cellulose molecules, resulting in stiffness and water content equivalent to that of articular cartilage. Furthermore, this sponge hydrogel exhibits higher compressive strength and better shape recovery (cushioning effect) than cartilage. In vitro tests showed that the hydrogel was non-toxic and promoted the chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. In vivo studies demonstrated that after transplantation into a rabbit femoral cartilage defect, cartilage extracellular matrix formed within four weeks, and the defect was completely repaired with hyaline cartilage by week 12. This sponge hydrogel has the potential to overcome the challenges of current treatments and serve as a sustainable cartilage regeneration material derived from forest resources. ...and more
The ubiquitin-proteasome system is the major pathway for selective degradation in eukaryotes. Ubiquitin attaches to lysine residues of a substrate, thereby forming ubiquitin chains with various topologies and linkages. Distinct ubiquitin chains serve diverse functions. Recent reports have emerged on the ubiquitination of non-proteinaceous biomolecules, such as lipids and sugars, signifying a rapid expansion of the field of ubiquitination. Here, I introduce the sugar-mediated ubiquitination of Nrf1, a transcription factor of the proteasome, which occurs in peptide: N-glycanase (NGLY1) deficiency, a rare disease. ...and more
