Yasutomi Nishizuka
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese
biochemist
who discovered protein kinase C
(PKC) and made important contribution to the understanding of molecular mechanism of signal transduction
across the cell membrane
.
in Japan
. He obtained his M.D. from Kyoto University
, Faculty of Medicine in 1957. Then, he completed his PhD degree from Kyoto University in 1962. After completing his studies in Japan, he spent one year as a postdoctoral fellow in the Prof. Fritz Lipmann
's laboratory at the Rockefeller University
, USA.
. From 1964 to 1968, he was an Associate Professor at Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University.
From 1969 to 2004, was the professor and chairman of the Department of Biochemistry, Kobe University
School of Medicine. He also served as the president of Kobe University.
.
He won the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award in 1989 for "his profound contributions to the understanding of signal transduction in cells, and for his discovery that carcinogens trigger cell growth by activating protein kinas C".
He won the Wolf Prize in Medicine
along with Michael J. Berridge
of the University of Cambridge
for "their discoveries concerning cellular transmembrane signalling involving phospholipids and calcium".
The other major awards and honors received by Nishizuka are:
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
biochemist
Biochemist
Biochemists are scientists who are trained in biochemistry. Typical biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. The prefix of "bio" in "biochemist" can be understood as a fusion of "biological chemist."-Role:...
who discovered protein kinase C
Protein kinase C
Protein kinase C also known as PKC is a family of enzymes that are involved in controlling the function of other proteins through the phosphorylation of hydroxyl groups of serine and threonine amino acid residues on these proteins. PKC enzymes in turn are activated by signals such as increases in...
(PKC) and made important contribution to the understanding of molecular mechanism of signal transduction
Signal transduction
Signal transduction occurs when an extracellular signaling molecule activates a cell surface receptor. In turn, this receptor alters intracellular molecules creating a response...
across the cell membrane
Cell membrane
The cell membrane or plasma membrane is a biological membrane that separates the interior of all cells from the outside environment. The cell membrane is selectively permeable to ions and organic molecules and controls the movement of substances in and out of cells. It basically protects the cell...
.
Birth and education
Nishizuka was born in 1932 at Ashiya-cityAshiya, Hyogo
is a city founded on November 10, 1940 located in Hyōgo, Japan, between the cities of Osaka and Kobe.-Demographics:As of 2009, the city has an estimated population of 93,094 and the density of 5,030 persons per km². The total area is 18.47 km²...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. He obtained his M.D. from Kyoto University
Kyoto University
, or is a national university located in Kyoto, Japan. It is the second oldest Japanese university, and formerly one of Japan's Imperial Universities.- History :...
, Faculty of Medicine in 1957. Then, he completed his PhD degree from Kyoto University in 1962. After completing his studies in Japan, he spent one year as a postdoctoral fellow in the Prof. Fritz Lipmann
Fritz Albert Lipmann
Fritz Albert Lipmann FRS was a German-American biochemist and a co-discoverer in 1945 of coenzyme A. For this, together with other research on coenzyme A, he was awarded half the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1953 .Lipmann was born in Königsberg, Germany to a Jewish family.Lipmann...
's laboratory at the Rockefeller University
Rockefeller University
The Rockefeller University is a private university offering postgraduate and postdoctoral education. It has a strong concentration in the biological sciences. It is also known for producing numerous Nobel laureates...
, USA.
Academic career
From 1962 to 1964, he was the Research Associate at Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto UniversityKyoto University
, or is a national university located in Kyoto, Japan. It is the second oldest Japanese university, and formerly one of Japan's Imperial Universities.- History :...
. From 1964 to 1968, he was an Associate Professor at Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University.
From 1969 to 2004, was the professor and chairman of the Department of Biochemistry, Kobe University
Kobe University
Shindai is one of the leading universities in Japan. It can be seen in the several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:The university is ranked 10th in 2010 in the ranking "Truly Strong Universities" by Toyo Keizai...
School of Medicine. He also served as the president of Kobe University.
Research
Nishizuka is known for the construction of the fundamental concepts of the intracellular signal transduction cascade through his discovery of "protein kinase C," also known as "C kinase," and his analysis of its function, which revealed a new intracellular signal transduction system and elucidated the regulatory mechanisms involved in many biological phenomena, including cancer cell growth.Awards and honors
Nishizuka received several awards and honors in his life. The major awards received by him are the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award and the Wolf Prize in MedicineWolf Prize in Medicine
The Wolf Prize in Medicine is awarded once a year by the Wolf Foundation in Israel. It is one of the six Wolf Prizes established by the Foundation and awarded since 1978; the others are in Agriculture, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Arts. The Prize is probably the third most prestigious award...
.
He won the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award in 1989 for "his profound contributions to the understanding of signal transduction in cells, and for his discovery that carcinogens trigger cell growth by activating protein kinas C".
He won the Wolf Prize in Medicine
Wolf Prize in Medicine
The Wolf Prize in Medicine is awarded once a year by the Wolf Foundation in Israel. It is one of the six Wolf Prizes established by the Foundation and awarded since 1978; the others are in Agriculture, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Arts. The Prize is probably the third most prestigious award...
along with Michael J. Berridge
Michael Berridge
Sir Michael John Berridge, FRS FMedSci is a Rhodesian-born British physiologist and biochemist. He is best known for his work on cellular transmembrane signalling, in particular the discovery that inositol trisphosphate acts as a second messenger, linking events at the plasma membrane with the...
of the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
for "their discoveries concerning cellular transmembrane signalling involving phospholipids and calcium".
The other major awards and honors received by Nishizuka are:
- The Gairdner Foundation International AwardGairdner Foundation International AwardThe Gairdner Foundation International Award is given annually at a special dinner to three to six people for outstanding discoveries or contributions to medical science. Receipt of the Gairdner is traditionally considered a precursor to winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine; as of 2007, 69 Nobel...
(1988) - The Alfred P. Sloan Jr. Prize (1988)
- The Kyoto PrizeKyoto PrizeThe has been awarded annually since 1985 by the Inamori Foundation, founded by Kazuo Inamori. The prize is a Japanese award similar in intent to the Nobel Prize, as it recognizes outstanding works in the fields of philosophy, arts, science and technology...
(1992) - The Schering Prize (1995)