Extending cancer research by focusing on HGF through interdisciplinary collaboration
Prof. Kunio Matsumoto
Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Cancer Research Institute, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative
Specialty: Biochemistry, Medical Science
Division of Tumor Dynamics and Regulation
HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), a protein to induce cell proliferation and survival
HGF is a bioactive protein that induces cell proliferation and survival by binding to the receptor of HGF, MET. Primarily, HGF plays roles in regeneration and restoration of tissues, including the liver and nervous system. However, in cancer tissues, HGF promotes cancer cell proliferation and enables the survival of cancer cells even when cancer cells are exposed to anti-cancer drugs, which is called drug resistance.
Discovery of a cyclic peptide, HiP-8 that specifically inhibits functions of active HGF
By pursuing interdisciplinary collaborative research with Prof. Hiroaki Suga, School of Science, University of Tokyo, Prof. Matsumoto and his research group discovered a cyclic peptide, HiP-8 that binds specifically to active HGF and inhibits functions of HGF (Nature Chemical Biology, 2019).
Through another interdisciplinary collaboration with Associate Professor Mikihiro Shibata, Nano-Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, the research group was successful in observing the actions of HiP-8, using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM). By visualization with HS-AFM, dynamic molecular behavior of HGF was found to cease upon binding of HGF with HiP-8. Furthermore, the collaboration with Dr. Yasuyoshi Watanabe, the team leader, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, demonstrated that by administrating radio-labeled HiP-8 to cancer model mice, HGF-rich cancer tissues could be excellentlyclearly visualized by PET (positron emission tomography) imaging.
Discoveries through interdisciplinary research
Prof. Matsumoto emphasizes that collaboration with researchers from different disciplines based on mutual respect will lead to new discoveries. He is determined to take on the challenges of new research through interdisciplinary collaborations.
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