Peter A. Takizawa, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Cell Biology Searle Scholar
Phone: (203) 785-7183 Lab: (203) 785-4233 Fax: (203) 785-7446 e-mail: peter.takizawa@yale.edu		Department of Cell Biology Yale University School of Medicine 333 Cedar Street PO Box 208002 New Haven, CT 06520-8002 <Courier Address> 333 Cedar Street SHM C-212b/214 New Haven, CT 06510-3206

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Cells have a remarkable ability to self-organize. Cells create within their boundaries compartments, each performing unique biochemical reactions to promote cell survival and function.

For example, the axon of a neuron transmits specific signalling information to other cells whereas the dendrites of that same neuron function to receive and process information form other cells. To achivethis level of organization cells need to target proteins invovled in a common biochemcial reaction to a specific region of the cell. One way that cells accomplish this task is through mRNA localization. mRNA localization is the transport of specific mRNAs to specific locations in the cell where upon arrival, translation of the mRNAs generates pools of localized proteins. Using mRNA localization, a cell needs to transport only a few copies of an mRNA to generate large amounts of localized protein and can spatially coordinate protein synthesis with external or developmental signals through translational regulation of localized mRNAs. Our lab is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that generate localized mRNAs. In particular, we are eager to learn how molecular motors transport mRNAs, how mRNAs are anchored at their localization site, and how the translation of these mRNAs is controlled.

We study the localization of ASH1 mRNA to the bud tip in the yeast S. cerevisiae. ASH1 mRNA is transported to the bud tip by the myosin motor, Myo4p, and provides a unique opportunity to combine genetic, cellular and biochemical methods to reveal the mechanisms of mRNA localization. We are also examining how mRNAs are localized in neurons using both live cell imaging to analyze mRNA transport and biochemistry to identify the proteins that mediate localization of mRNAs in neurons.

 

        

 

Selected Publications

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Dunn BD, Sakamoto T, Hong MS, Sellers JR, Takizawa PA.  Myo4p is a monomeric myosin with motility uniquely adapted to transport mRNA. J Cell Biol. 2007 Sep 24;178(7):1193-206. PMID: 1789324.

Jambhekar A, McDermott K, Sorber K, Shepard KA, Vale RD, Takizawa PA, DeRisi JL.  Unbiased selection of localization elements reveals cis-acting determinants of mRNA bud localization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Dec 13;102(50):18005-10. Epub 2005 Dec 2. PMID: 16326802.

Irie K, Tadauchi T, Takizawa PA, Vale RD, Matsumoto K, Herskowitz I. (2002) The Khd1 protein, which has three KH RNA-binding motifs, is required for proper localization of ASH1 mRNA in yeast. EMBO J. 21(5): 1158-67.

Takizawa PA, DeRisi JL, Wilhelm JE, Vale RD. (2000) Plasma membrane compartmentalization in yeast by messenger RNA transport and a septin diffusion barrier. Science. 290(5490): 341-4.

Takizawa PA, Vale RD. (2000) The myosin motor, Myo4p, binds Ash1 mRNA via the adapter protein, She3p. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 97(10): 5273-8.

Takizawa PA, Sil A, Swedlow JR, Herskowitz I, Vale RD. (1997) Actin-dependent localization of an RNA encoding a cell-fate determinant in yeast. Nature. 389(6646): 90-3.