Discovery of Protein Functions
The elucidation of protein function is essential for understanding biological systems and plays a crucial role in identifying ways to treat diseases. Despite significant advancements in investigating the role of proteins within cells, exploring the functions of individual proteins remains challenging due to the complexity of the proteome. For instance, post-translational modifications (PTMs) — such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, and ubiquitination — not only alter protein structures but also modulate their functions.
Our laboratory aims to overcome the limitations of traditional small-molecule regulators and genetic approaches by implementing proximity-based targeted protein modification strategies. Specifically, we are developing novel protein function modulation methods using bifunctional molecules that induce selective ubiquitination and glycosylation of target proteins. These innovative approaches will expand the toolkit for regulating protein function with high precision.