Ryoko Kuriyama, PhD

Research Techniques:

Mammalian cell culture and synchronization, Centrosome biology, Molecular biology of mitotic spindles and spindle poles  Protein biochemistry

Research Interests:

The research in Kuriyama's focuses on the cell cycle and cell growth control in mammalian cells, and current efforts are oriented towards understanding the molecular mechanism and regulation of mitosis and cytoplasmic division using multidisciplinary experimental approaches. Molecular components of the mitotic spindle and spindle poles were analyzed by establishing the isolation procedure of highly purified mitotic spindles from synchronized cultured cells, followed by generation of monoclonal antibodies and screening of expression as well as two hybrid libraries. Among dozens of molecules identified, the lab currently focus on centrosomal components located at each spindle pole, and a microtubule motor protein essential for completion of cytokinesis via its interaction with small G-proteins and actin filaments at the spindle midzone. By introducing small interfering RNA and rescue constructs, the lab evaluates their roles in the assembly and function of centrosomes, and coordination of cell cycle events during cell division cycle.

Selected Publications:

Kuriyama R, Bettencourt-Dias M, Hoffmann I, Arnold M, Sandvig L. 2009. g-Tubulin-containing abnormal centrioles are induced by insufficient Plk4 in human HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. J Cell Sci. 122, 2014-2023

Kuriyama, R., C. Besse, M. Geze, C.K. Omoto, and J. Schrevel. 2005. Dynamic organization of microtubules and microtubule-organizing centers during the sexual phase of a parasitic protozoan, Lecudina tuzetae (Gregarine, Apicomplexa). Cell Motility Cytoskel. 62:195-209 (journal cover page)

Kuriyama, R., and J. Matuliene. 2005. Kinesin-like motor protein MKLP1/CHO1 in cytokinesis. In: Signal Transduction of Cell Division. T. Miki, ed., Research Signpost, Kerala, India.

Kuriyama, R. 2005. Mitotic Spindles. In: Encyclopedic Reference of Genomics and Proteomic in Molecular Medicine. Molecular Principles. Springer Verlag, Heidelberg.

Nelsen, C.J., R. Kuriyama, B. Hirsch, V.C. Negron, W.L. Lingle, M.M. Goggin, M.W. Stanley, and J.H. Albrecht. 2005. Short-term cyclin D1 overexpression induces centrosome amplification, mitotic abnormalities, and aneuploidy. J. Biol. Chem.280:768-776.

Matuliene, J., and R. Kuriyama. 2004. Role of CHO1 in mammalian cytokinesis: RNAi and genetic rescue analysis. Mol. Biol. Cell 15:3083-3094.

Uetake, Y., Y. Terada, J. Matuliene, and R. Kuriyama. 2004. Interaction of Cep135 with a p50 dynactin subunit in mammalian centrosomes. Cell Motility Cytoskel. 58:53-66.

Terada, Y., Y. Uetake, and R. Kuriyama. 2003. Interaction of Aurora-A and centrosomin at the microtubule-nuleating sites in Drosophila and mammalian cells. J. Cell Biol. 162:757-763.

Kuriyama, R., C. Gustus, Y. Terada, Y. Uetake, and J. Matuliene. 2002. CHO1, a mammalian kinesin-like protein, interacts with F-actin and is involved in the terminal phase of cytokinesis. J. Cell Biol. 156:783-790.

Matuliene, J., and R. Kuriyama. 2002. Kinesin-like motor protein CHO1 is required for the formation of midbody matrix and the completion of cytokinesis in mammalian cells. Mol. Biol. Cell 13:1832-1845.

Ohta, T., R. Essner, J.-H. Ryu, R.E. Palazzo, and R. Kuriyama. 2002. Characterization of Cep135, a novel centrosomal protein involved in microtubule organization in mammalian cells. J. Cell Biol. 156:87-99.