Masayoshi Yamaguchi

Japanese scientist

Masayoshi Yamaguchi (Japanese: 山口 正義, born 1947, Atami, Japan) is a distinguished biomedical scientist and researcher. He is notable for discovering the novel protein and genes named Regucalcin and RGPR-p117, respectively.[1]

## Early Life and Education[edit]

Masayoshi Yamaguchi was born in 1947 in Atami, Japan. He pursued an education in pharmaceutical sciences, beginning with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Shizuoka College of Pharmacy, which he completed in 1971. He continued his studies at the same institution, obtaining a Master of Science (M.S.) in 1973 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1976.[2]

## Career[edit]

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Shizuoka College of Pharmacy in 1971 and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1976, both in Japan.[3] From 1973 to 1987, he served as a research associate and assistant professor at Shizuoka College. He then held the position of assistant professor at the University of Shizuoka School of Pharmaceutical Sciences from 1987 to 1991. He was promoted to associate professor at the University of Shizuoka's Graduate School of Nutritional Sciences in 1991, a role he held until 1993, after which he became a professor at the same institution, serving until 2007.

In 2007, he accepted an invitation to be a visiting professor at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, in the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids, where he remained until 2011. After obtaining permanent residency in the United States in 2011, he served as a visiting professor at Baylor College of Medicine's Department of Medicine in Houston from 2012 to 2013. Subsequently, from 2013 to 2016, he was appointed adjunct professor at Emory in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology.

## Research[edit]

Dr. Masayoshi Yamaguchi has contributed to medical and biological research throughout his career, with a focus on cellular biology and oncology. His research covers a broad range of topics, notably including the study of the role of various molecules in cell regulation and cancer biology. Among these molecules, regucalcin has been a significant focus of his work.[4]

Research on Regucalcin:

Dr. Yamaguchi conducted a series of researches that scrutinized regucalcin, which is originally discovered by him in 1978 , and its profound impact on cellular processes, revealing its pivotal role in suppressing cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in various cell lines.

Discovery of RGPR-p117:

Dr. Yamaguchi discovered the gene RGPR-p117, which was identified as a transcription factor.[5][6] This gene binds specifically to a nuclear factor I (NFI) consensus motif, TTGGC(N)6CC, found in the promoter regions of the regucalcin gene.[7] In 2001, RGPR-p117 was named "regucalcin gene promoter region-related protein," reflecting its functional association with the regulation of the regucalcin gene.[8][9]

Correlation with Cancer Prognosis:

His research has found a correlation between elevated levels of regucalcin in tumor tissues and extended survival rates in various types of cancer, such as liver, pancreatic, colorectal, lung, kidney, breast, and prostate cancer. These findings suggest that regucalcin may serve as a useful prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment.[10]

Osteogenic Factors and Osteoporosis Prevention:

Dr. Yamaguchi conducted research on osteogenic factors derived from nutritional and functional foods. His studies identified that certain natural compounds could promote osteoblastic bone formation and reduce osteoclastic bone resorption. His findings led to the filing of numerous patents. The osteogenic factors identified in his research include zinc and its chelating peptide, isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein, menaquinone-7 (vitamin K2), carotenoids like β-cryptoxanthin, β-caryophyllene, and components from the marine algae Sargassum horneri, among others.[11][12]

Inflammation and Cytokine Regulation:

Dr. Yamaguchi's research focused on examining molecules that influence the production of inflammatory cytokines. His studies investigated the effects of substances including catechin, baicalin, β-caryophyllene, and metaxalone on cytokine production. The research aimed to understand their regulatory mechanisms and potential implications for treating inflammatory conditions.[13]

Drug Development and Cancer Therapy:

Dr. Yamaguchi conducted research into molecules and compounds that might inhibit cancer growth and bone metastasis. His findings indicated that botanical p-hydroxycinnamic acid and marine-derived 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl alcohol (DHMBA) could potentially suppress cancer growth and bone metastasis.[14]

Exploring Signaling Pathways in Cancer Biology:

Dr. Yamaguchi's recent research focuses on the signaling pathways associated with cancer cell growth, migration, and apoptosis. His studies primarily explore the interactions among various signaling pathways, with an emphasis on regucalcin's role.[15]

## Notable Publications[edit]

Dr. Yamaguchi has published more than 600 papers and review articles, is the author of four books, and has edited an additional 16 books.[16] Some of his notable publications include:

* Yamaguchi M. Role of regucalcin in maintaining cell homeostasis and function.  International Journal of Molecular Medicine.15:371-389 (2005) (Review).[17]
* Yamaguchi M: Novel protein RGPR-p117: its role as the regucalcin gene transcription factor. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 327: 53-63 (2009).[18]
* Yamaguchi M: Regucalcin and metabolic disorder: osteoporosis and hyperlipidemia are induced in regucalcin transgenic rats. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 341: 119-133 (2010).[19]
* Yamaguchi M. Role of nutritional zinc in the prevention of osteoporosis. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 338:241-254 (2010).[20]
* Yamaguchi M: The transcriptional regulation of regucalcin gene expression. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 346: 147-171 (2011).[21]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi; Misawa, Hiroyuki; Ma, Zhong Jie (2003-04-15). "Novel protein RGPR-p117: The gene expression in physiologic state and the binding activity to regucalcin gene promoter region in rat liver". Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. 88 (6): 1092–1100. doi:10.1002/jcb.10437. ISSN 0730-2312. PMID 12647292.
2. ^ User, Super. "Yamaguchi, Masayoshi PhD, IOM, FAOE". www.uhcancercenter.org. Retrieved 2024-02-28. `{{cite web}}`: `|last=` has generic name (help)
3. ^ "j-global entry" (in Japanese). JST. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
4. ^ Yamaguchi M (2017): Book, Title: "The Role of Regucalcin in Cell Homeostasis and Disorder". Nova Science Publishers, Inc., New York, page 1-288.
5. ^ Yamaguchi M (2009): "Novel protein RGPR-p117: its role as the regucalcin gene transcription factor". Mol Cell Biochem 327:53-63.
6. ^ Yamasguchi M, Murata T (2017): "Involvement of regucalcin gene promoter region-related protein-117, a transcription factor, in human obesity (Review)". Biomedical Reports 6:374–378.
7. ^ Misawa, H.; Yamaguchi, M. (2001-11-01). "Molecular cloning and sequencing of the cDNA coding for a novel regucalcin gene promoter region-related protein in rat, mouse and human liver". International Journal of Molecular Medicine. 8 (5): 513–520. doi:10.3892/ijmm.8.5.513. ISSN 1107-3756. PMID 11605020.
8. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi (July 2009). "Novel protein RGPR-p117: its role as the regucalcin gene transcription factor". Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 327 (1–2): 53–63. doi:10.1007/s11010-009-0042-4. ISSN 0300-8177. PMID 19214710.
9. ^ "SEC16B", Wikipedia, 2023-12-19, retrieved 2024-02-28
10. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi (January 2023). "Regucalcin Is a Potential Regulator in Human Cancer: Aiming to Expand into Cancer Therapy". Cancers. 15 (22): 5489. doi:10.3390/cancers15225489. ISSN 2072-6694. PMC 10670417. PMID 38001749.
11. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi (2010-05-01). "Role of nutritional zinc in the prevention of osteoporosis". Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 338 (1): 241–254. doi:10.1007/s11010-009-0358-0. ISSN 1573-4919. PMID 20035439.
12. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi (2012-04-02). "Role of carotenoid β-cryptoxanthin in bone homeostasis". Journal of Biomedical Science. 19 (1): 36. doi:10.1186/1423-0127-19-36. ISSN 1423-0127. PMC 3361488. PMID 22471523.
13. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi; Levy, Robert M. (May 2019). "The combination of catechin, baicalin and β-caryophyllene potentially suppresses the production of inflammatory cytokines in mouse macrophages in vitro". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 17 (5): 4312–4318. doi:10.3892/etm.2019.7452. ISSN 1792-0981. PMC 6469036. PMID 31007758.
14. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi; Murata, Tomiyasu; Ramos, Joe W. (February 2021). "The botanical component p-hydroxycinnamic acid suppresses the growth and bone metastatic activity of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells in vitro". Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. 147 (2): 339–350. doi:10.1007/s00432-020-03405-5. ISSN 1432-1335. PMID 33001270.
15. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi; Hashimoto, Kazunori; Jijiwa, Mayumi; Murata, Tomiyasu (2023-07-01). "The inflammatory macrophages repress the growth of bone metastatic human prostate cancer cells via TNF-α and IL-6 signaling: Involvement of cell signaling regulator regucalcin". Cellular Signalling. 107: 110663. doi:10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110663. ISSN 0898-6568. PMID 37001596.
16. ^ "Google Patents". patents.google.com. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
17. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi (2005-03-01). "Role of regucalcin in maintaining cell homeostasis and function (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine. 15 (3): 371–389. doi:10.3892/ijmm.15.3.371. ISSN 1107-3756.
18. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi (July 2009). "Novel protein RGPR-p117: its role as the regucalcin gene transcription factor". Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 327 (1–2): 53–63. doi:10.1007/s11010-009-0042-4. ISSN 0300-8177. PMID 19214710.
19. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi (2010-08-01). "Regucalcin and metabolic disorders: osteoporosis and hyperlipidemia are induced in regucalcin transgenic rats". Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 341 (1): 119–133. doi:10.1007/s11010-010-0443-4. ISSN 1573-4919.
20. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi (2010-05-01). "Role of nutritional zinc in the prevention of osteoporosis". Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 338 (1): 241–254. doi:10.1007/s11010-009-0358-0. ISSN 1573-4919. PMID 20035439.
21. ^ Yamaguchi, Masayoshi (January 2011). "The transcriptional regulation of regucalcin gene expression". Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 346 (1–2): 147–171. doi:10.1007/s11010-010-0601-8. ISSN 0300-8177. PMID 20936536.

## External links[edit]

* Faculty profile
* Masayoshi Yamaguchi publications indexed by Google Scholar

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