Research Interests
We are investigating the mechanism of growth, development and evolution of multicellular organisms using a green alga, Volvox carteri, and its close relatives.
Volvox carteri is a multicellular organism consisting of only two cell types, 12-16 reproductive cells called gonidia and about 2000 somatic cells. To understand the mechanism of the evolution of multicellularity, we have been analyzing genes and gene products that function in characteristic developmental events of Volvox that include release of young organisms from parental spheroids, programed cell death of somatic cells and maturation of gamete during sexual life cycle.
Also used for research in our laboratory are edible cyanobacteria, which have tremendous potential as sources of nutrients and useful organic compounds, as they synthesize carbohydrates from atmospheric carbon dioxide and water by using solar energy.
Selected Publications
- Shiraishi, H. (2008). Hatching enzyme of Volvox: a possible implication in the evolution of multicellularity. J. Biochem. Tech. 1, 21-22.
- Fukada, K., Inoue, T. and Shiraishi, H. (2006). A post-translationally regulated protease, VheA, is involved in the liberation of juveniles from parental spheroids in Volvox carteri. Plant Cell, 18, 2554-2566.
- Aono, N., Inoue, T. and Shiraishi, H. (2005). Genes specifically expressed in sexually differentiated female spheroids of Volvox carteri. J. Biochem., 138, 375-382.
- Shiraishi, H. (2004). Two-dimensional fractionation of complex mixuture of oligonucleotides in microRNA size range. Nucleic Acids Symp. Series, 48, 293-294.
- Aono, N., Shimizu, T., Inoue, T. and Shiraishi, H. (2002). Palindromic repetitive elements in the mitochondrial genome of Volvox. FEBS Letters, 521, 95-99.
- Shimizu, T., Inoue, T. and Shiraishi, H. (2002). Cloning and characterization of novel extensin-like cDNAs that are expressed during late somatic phase in the green alga Volvox carteri. Gene, 284, 179-187.
- Shimizu, T., Inoue, T. and Shiraishi, H. (2001). A senescence-associated S-like RNase in the multicellular green alga Volvox carteri. Gene, 274, 227-235.
- Shiraishi, H., Okada, K. and Shimura, Y. (1993). Nucleotide sequences recognized by the AGAMOUS MADS domain of Arabidopsis thaliana in vitro. Plant J., 4, 385-398.
