Masashi Yukawa

Last Updated :2025/06/16

Affiliations, Positions
Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Assistant Professor
Web Site
http://mccb.hiroshima-u.ac.jp
E-mail
myukawahiroshima-u.ac.jp
Other Contact Details
1-3-1, KAGAMIYAMA, HIGASHI-HIROSHIMA, HIROSHIMA, JAPAN, Japan
TEL : (+81)82-424-7754 FAX : (+81)82-424-7754
Self-introduction
Our main research interests are the molecular mechanisms of mitotic progression, particularly we focus on the mechanism of spindle microtubule formation which is required for proper chromosome segregation. For this purpose, we usually use yeast as a model organism. We also aim to apply our findings towards the development of novel anti-cancer drugs.

Basic Information

Major Professional Backgrounds

  • 2002/04/01, 2005/03/31, Japan Science and Technology Agency, postdoctoral fellow
  • 2005/04/01, 2007/03/31, Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Research Associate
  • 2007/04/01, 2017/03/31, Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Assistant Professor
  • 2013/03/01, 2015/02/28, Cancer Research UK, Cell Signaling, Visiting Scientist
  • 2017/04/01, 2019/03/31, Hiroshima University, Department of MolecularGraduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor
  • 2019/04/01, Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Assistant Professor

Educational Backgrounds

  • Hiroshima University, Faculty of Engineering, Japan, 1992/04, 1996/03
  • Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Engineering , Japan, 1996/04, 1998/03
  • Hiroshima University, Graduate School, Division of Engineering, Japan, 1998/04, 2002/03

Academic Degrees

  • Doctor of Engineering, Hiroshima University
  • Master of Engineering, Hiroshima University

Educational Activity

  • [Bachelor Degree Program] School of Engineering : Cluster 3(Applied Chemistry, Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering) : Program of Biotechnology
  • [Master's Program] Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life : Division of Integrated Sciences for Life : Program of Biotechnology
  • [Master's Program] Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life : Division of Integrated Sciences for Life : Program of Biomedical Science
  • [Doctoral Program] Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life : Division of Integrated Sciences for Life : Program of Biotechnology
  • [Doctoral Program] Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life : Division of Integrated Sciences for Life : Program of Biomedical Science

Research Fields

  • Agricultural sciences;Agricultural chemistry;Applied biochemistry

Research Keywords

  • mitosis, chromosome segregation, spindle microtubule assembly, mitotic kinesins, anti-cancer drug, fission yeast

Affiliated Academic Societies

  • Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry (JSBBA)
    Related URL
  • The Molecular Biology Society of Japan (MBSJ)
    Related URL
  • Yeast Genetics Society of Japan
    Related URL

Educational Activity

Course in Charge

  1. 2025, Undergraduate Education, Second Semester, Basic Experiments in Chemistry
  2. 2025, Undergraduate Education, Second Semester, Experiments on Biotechnology II
  3. 2025, Undergraduate Education, Year, Graduation Thesis
  4. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Year, Seminar in Biotechnology
  5. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 1Term, Exercises in Biotechnology A
  6. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 2Term, Exercises in Biotechnology A
  7. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 3Term, Exercises in Biotechnology B
  8. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 4Term, Exercises in Biotechnology B
  9. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Year, Research for Academic Degree Dissertation in Biotechnology
  10. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar A
  11. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar B
  12. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 1Term, Advanced Technologies for Life Science
  13. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Year, Research for Academic Degree Dissertation in Biomedial Science
  14. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , First Semester, Exercises in Biomedical Science A
  15. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Second Semester, Exercises in Biomedical Science B
  16. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar C
  17. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar D
  18. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar E

Research Activities

Academic Papers

  1. An "In Schizo" Evaluation System to Screen for Human Kinesin-5 Inhibitors, Methods Mol Biol., 2862, 333-351, 20241112
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  2. The joy of the 11th International Fission Yeast Meeting in Hiroshima (POMBE2023 Hiroshima) after a long wait due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GENES TO CELLS, 28(9), 646-652, 202309
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  3. Complementation of fission yeast kinesin-5/Cut7 with human Eg5 provides a versatile platform for screening of anticancer compounds, Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 86(2), 254-259, 20220124
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  4. The putative RNA-binding protein Dri1 promotes the loading of kinesin-14/Klp2 to the mitotic spindle and is sequestered into heat-induced protein aggregates in fission yeast, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(9), 4795, 20210430
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  5. KIFC1 regulates ZWINT to promote tumor progression and spheroid formation in colorectal cancer, Pathology International, 20210405
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  6. Escape from mitotic catastrophe by actin-dependent nuclear displacement in fission yeast, iScience, 24(1), 102031, 20210101
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  7. How essential kinesin-5 becomes non-essential in fission yeast: Force balance and microtubule dynamics matter, Cells, 9, 1154, 20200507
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  8. Kolavenic acid analog restores growth in HSET-overproducing fission yeast cells and multipolar mitosis in MDA-MB-231 human cells, BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY, 28(1), 20200101
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  9. Kinesin-6 Klp9 plays motor-dependent and -independent roles in collaboration with Kinesin-5 Cut7 and the microtubule crosslinker Ase1 in fission yeast, Scientific Reports, 9(1), 7336, 20190514
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  10. Generation of temperature sensitive mutations with error-prone PCR in agene encoding acomponent of the spindle pole body in fission yeast., BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY, 1-4, 20190501
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  11. Two XMAP215/TOG microtubule polymerases, Alp14 and Dis1, play non-exchangeable, distinct roles in microtubule organisation in fission yeast., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(20), 5108-5125, 20191015
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  12. ★, Suppressor analysis uncovers that MAPs and microtubule dynamics balance with the Cut7/Kinesin-5 motor for mitotic spindle assembly in Schizosaccharomyces pombe., G3: GENES GENOMES GENETICS, 9(1), 269-280, 20190109
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  13. ★, Fission yeast cells overproducing HSET/KIFC1 provides a useful tool for identification and evaluation of human kinesin-14 inhibitors, FUNGAL GENETICS AND BIOLOGY, 116, 33-41, 201807
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  14. ★, A microtubule polymerase cooperates with the Kinesin-6 motor and a microtubule crosslinker to promote bipolar spindle assembly in the absence of Kinesin-5 and Kinesin-14 in fission yeast., MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 28(25), 3647-3659, 20171201
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  15. ★, Two spatially distinct Kinesin-14 Pkl1 and Klp2 generate collaborative inward forces against Kinesin-5 Cut7 in S. pombe., JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE, 20170104
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  16. An unconventional interaction between Dis1/TOG and Mal3/EB1 in fission yeast promotes the fidelity of chromosome segregation, JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE, 129(24), 4592-4606, 20161215
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  17. Long G2 accumulates recombination intermediates and disturbs chromosome segregation at dysfunction telomere in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS, 464(1), 140-146, 20150814
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  18. The yeast chromatin remodeler Rsc1-RSC complex is required for transcriptional activation of autophagy-related genes and inhibition of the TORC1 pathway in response to nitrogen starvation, BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS, 464(4), 1248-1253, 20150904
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  19. RSC Chromatin-Remodeling Complex Is Important for Mitochondrial Function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, PLOS ONE, 10(6), 20150618
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  20. ★, The Msd1-Wdr8-Pkl1 complex anchors microtubule minus ends to fission yeast spindle pole bodies, JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY, 209(4), 549-562, 20150525
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  21. Fission Yeast Exo1 and Rqh1-Dna2 Redundantly Contribute to Resection of Uncapped Telomeres., PLoS One, 10(10), e0140456, 20151014
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  22. 3,6-Epidioxy-1,10-bisaboladiene inhibits G(1)-specific transcription through Swi4/Swi6 and Mbp1/Swi6 via the Hog1 stress pathway in yeast, FEBS JOURNAL, 281(20), 4612-4621, 201410
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  23. Rad51-Dependent Aberrant Chromosome Structures at Telomeres and Ribosomal DNA Activate the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint, MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY, 34(8), 1389-1397, 201404
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  24. Fission yeast MOZART1/Mzt1 is an essential gamma-tubulin complex component required for complex recruitment to the microtubule organizing center, but not its assembly, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL, 24(18), 2894-2906, 20130915
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  25. Fission Yeast RecQ Helicase Rqh1 Is Required for the Maintenance of Circular Chromosomes, MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY, 33(6), 1175-1187, 201303
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  26. A Double Mutant between Fission Yeast Telomerase and RecQ Helicase Is Sensitive to Thiabendazole, an Anti-Microtubule Drug, BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY, 76(2), 264-269, 201202
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  27. Fission yeast Pot1 and RecQ helicase are required for efficient chromosome segregation., Mol. Cell. Biol, 31, 495-506, 20110201
  28. A novel method of screening cell-cycle blockers as candidates for anti-tumor reagents by using yeast as a screening tool, Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 74(2), 411-414, 20100201
  29. Expression of Mutant RPA in Human Cancer Cells Causes Telomere Shortening, Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem, 74(2), 382-385, 20100201
  30. ★, The Rpd3/HDAC Complex Is Present at the URS1 cis-Element with Hyperacetylated Histone H3, Agricultural and Biological Chemistry, 73(2), 378-384, 2009
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  31. ★, Interplay between chromatin and trans-acting factors on the IME2 promoter upon induction of the gene at the onset of meiosis., Mol. Cell. Biol., 27(4), 1254-1263, 2007
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  32. Evaluation of image processing programs for accurate measurement of budding and fission yeast morphology., Curr Genet., 49(4), 237-247, 2006
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  33. High-dimensional and large-scale phenotyping of yeast mutants., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 102(52), 19015-19020, 20051227
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  34. Data mining tools for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae morphological database., Nucleic Acids Res., 33(Web Server issue), W753-W757, 20050701
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  35. Fredericamycin A Affects Mitochondrial Inheritance and Morphology in Saccharomyces cerevisiae., Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 69(11), 2213-2218, 2005
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  36. Mitochondria-specific RNA-modifying enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of the wobble base in mitochondrial tRNAs. Implications for the molecular pathogenesis of human mitochondrial diseases., J Biol Chem., 280(2), 1613-1624, 2005
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  37. SCMD: Saccharomyces cerevisiae Morphological Database., Nucleic Acids Res., 32(Database issue), D319-D322, 2004
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  38. Dynactin is involved in a checkpoint to monitor cell wall synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae., Nat Cell Biol., 6(9), 861-871, 2004
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  39. Functional differences between RSC1 and RSC2, components of growth essential chromatin-remodeling complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, during the sporulation process, FEMS Yeast Research, 2(2), 87-91, 2002
  40. Borrelidin inhibits a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), Cdc28/Cln2, of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, JOURNAL OF ANTIBIOTICS, 54(1), 84-90, 2001
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  41. ★, Nps1/Sth1p, a component of an essential chromatin-remodeling complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is required for the maximal expression of early-meiotic genes, Genes Cells, 4(2), 99-110, 1999

Publications such as books

  1. 2023/10/25, A novel pathway involved in mitotic nuclear positioning in fission yeast, Journal of Japanese Biochemical Society, 2023, 10月, Contributor, 日本語, Masashi Yukawa

Invited Lecture, Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation

  1. Interplay between two mitotic kinesins and the microtubule crosslinker drives spindle elongation during anaphase B, The 10th International Fission Yeast Meeting (Pombe2019), 2019/07/15, Without Invitation, English, International Fission Yeast Meeting
  2. Kinesin 6 Klp9 promotes microtubule elongation during anaphase B through motor-dependent and -independent manners, Joint Annual Meeting of 71st JSCB and 19th PSSJ, 2019/06/24, Without Invitation, English
  3. Exploring the molecular pathways leading to bipolar spindle formation, Joint Annual Meeting of 51st JSDB and 70th JSCB, 2018/06/07, Without Invitation, English
  4. Screening for anti-tumor compounds using HSET-overproduction fission yeast and isolated kolavenic acid analog from Solidago altissima, International Symposium on Innovative Agriculture and Fishery, 2018/05, Without Invitation, English
  5. Assembly of mitotic bipolar spindle in the absence of kinesin-5 Cut7, Masashi Yukawa, Masaki Okazaki, Yusuke Yamada, Tomoaki Yamauchi, Tomoki Kawakami, Takashi Toda, The 9th International Fission Yeast Meeting (Pombe2017), 2017/05/16, Without Invitation, English, International Fission Yeast Meeting, Banff
  6. Exploring the molecular mechanism of mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation, 14th International Congress on Yeasts, 2016/09/14, With Invitation, English, International Commission on Yeasts; ICY, Awaji
  7. Molecular mechanisms of microtubule anchoring to the spindle pole, 2016/03/29, Without Invitation, Japanese
  8. The Msd1-Wdr8-Pkl1 complex anchors the minus ends of spindle microtubules to mitotic SPBs, Masashi Yukawa, Takashi Toda, The 8th International Fission Yeast Meeting (Pombe2015), 2015/06, Without Invitation, English, International Fission Yeast Meeting, Kobe
  9. The molecular mechanism of anchoring mitotic spindle microtubules to the spindle pole body in fission yeast, Masashi Yukawa, 2014/11/04, Without Invitation, English, University of Lausanne
  10. The molecular mechanism of anchoring mitotic spindle microtubules to the spindle pole body in fission yeast, Masashi Yukawa, Chiho Ikebe, Takashi Toda, EMBO Conference:Centrosomes and spindle pole bodies, 2014/10/02, Without Invitation, English, EMBO Conference, Lisbon

External Funds

Acceptance Results of Competitive Funds

  1. 2023/02/01, 2025/01/31
  2. KAKENHI, 2019, 2022
    Permalink
  3. KAKENHI, 2016, 2018
    Permalink
  4. KAKENHI, Analysis of histone deacetylase function in yeast meiosis and sporulation, 2010, 2012
    Permalink
  5. KAKENHI, Analysis of the essential role of chromatin remodeling factor in control of meiotic progression, 2007, 2008
    Permalink
  6. KAKENHI, 2006, 2007
    Permalink

Social Activities

Organizing Academic Conferences, etc.

  1. 2023/11, 2023/11
  2. 2023/09, 2023/09
  3. The 11th International Fission Yeast Meeting (POMBE2023), 2023/05, 2023/06