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Toshi Kawate, PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Molecular Medicine

Toshi Kawate's Lab

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
C4-151 Veterinary Medical Center
Ithaca, NY 14853

Office: 607-253-3783 | 607-253-3324
Email: tk499@cornell.edu

Profile

Research/Clinical Interests

Extracellular signaling plays a central role in cell-cell communication for all multicellular organisms, orchestrating various life processes from body formation to brain function. This diverse and important signaling is exquisitely controlled by a variety of membrane-spanning proteins, including transporters and ion channels. Our research interest focuses on understanding how these dynamic and fine-tuned proteins are built, how they release/receive signals, and how they integrate and convey these signals across the cell membrane. In particular, we are interested in the ion channels that regulate extracellular ATP-mediated signaling, a newly emerging field in cell-cell communication throughout the human body.

Education

  • Ph D, Cellular, Molecular, Biophysical Studies, Columbia University, 2005
  • MS, Medical Science, Osaka University, 2000
  • BS, Biology, Osaka University, 1998

Biography/Professional Experience

  • 2009-2011, Postdoctoral Fellow, NINDS, Laboratory of Dr. Kenton Swartz, National Institutes of Health
  • 2005-2009, Postdoctoral Fellow, The Vollum Institute, Laboratory of Dr. Eric Gouaux, Oregon Health and Science University
  • 2001-2005, Graduate Student, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Laboratory of Dr. Eric Gouaux, Columbia University
  • 2000-2001, Research Assistant, Department of Internal Medicine, Laboratory of Dr. Thomas Sato. UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Awards and Honors

  • 2015-2017, Young Investigators Grants, The Human Frontier Science Program,
  • 2011-2014, NIH Pathway to Independence Award (R00)
  • 2010, NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence
  • 2010, NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99)

Professional/Academic Affiliations

2002, Biophysical Society

Publications

Selected Publications

  1. Karasawa, A., Michalski, K., Mikhelzon, P., and Kawate, T. (2017) The P2X7 receptor forms a dye-permeable pore independent of its intracellular domain but dependent on membrane lipid composition.  eLife 6:e31186.
  2. Karasawa A. and Kawate, T. (2017) Expression and Purification of a Mammalian P2X7 Receptor from Sf9 insect Cells. Bio Protoc. 7(17).
  3. Kawate T. (2017) P2X Receptor Activation. Adv Exp Med Biol. June 22;  PMID:28639248   DOI:10.1007/5584_2017_55
  4. Karasawa A. and Kawate, T. (2016) Structural basis for subtype-specific inhibition of the P2X7 receptor. eLife 5:e22153.
  5. Michalski, K. and Kawate, T. (2016) Carbenoxolone inhibits Pannexin1 channels through interactions in the first extracellular loop. J Gen Physiol. 147(2):165-74.
  6. Richards, M.J., Hsia, C.Y., Singh, R.R., Haider, S.H., Kumpf, J.M., Kawate, T., and Daniel, S. (2016) Membrane protein mobility and orientation preserved in supported bilayers created directly from cell plasma membrane blebs. Langmuir. 32(12):2963-74.