Patents by Inventor Takahiro Kikawada
Takahiro Kikawada has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8173790Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides encoding insect desiccation resistance proteins, and uses thereof cDNA libraries were produced from Polypedilum vanderplanki larvae in a desiccated state, a P. vanderplanki EST database was constructed, and genes encoding LEA proteins were isolated. This resulted in the successful isolation of three types of novel gene encoding LEA-like proteins (PvLEA1, PvLEA2, and PvLEA3.) When secondary structure predictions and motif searches were performed on the proteins deduced from each of the genes, all three proteins had ?-helix-rich structures and LEA_4 motifs, which are characteristic of LEA proteins. Moreover, the recombinant proteins synthesized from PvLEA1, 2 and 3 genes were heat soluble even when boiling, so that PvLEA1, 2 and 3 proteins have highly hydrophilic property as well as plant LEA proteins. Therefore, the three isolated genes were found to be novel P. vanderplanki-derived LEA genes.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: National Institute of Agrobiological SciencesInventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
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Publication number: 20110281349Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides encoding insect desiccation resistance proteins, and uses thereof cDNA libraries were produced from Polypedilum vanderplanki larvae in a desiccated state, a P. vanderplanki EST database was constructed, and genes encoding LEA proteins were isolated. This resulted in the successful isolation of three types of novel gene encoding LEA-like proteins (PvLEA1, PvLEA2, and PvLEA3.) When secondary structure predictions and motif searches were performed on the proteins deduced from each of the genes, all three proteins had ?-helix-rich structures and LEA_4 motifs, which are characteristic of LEA proteins. Moreover, the recombinant proteins synthesized from PvLEA1, 2 and 3 genes were heat soluble even when boiling, so that PvLEA1, 2 and 3 proteins have highly hydrophilic property as well as plant LEA proteins. Therefore, the three isolated genes were found to be novel P. vanderplanki-derived LEA genes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: National Institute of Agrobiological SciencesInventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
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Patent number: 7939647Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides encoding insect desiccation resistance proteins, and uses thereof. cDNA libraries were produced from Polypedilum vanderplanki larvae in a desiccated state, a P. vanderplanki EST database was constructed, and genes encoding LEA proteins were isolated. This resulted in the successful isolation of three types of novel gene encoding LEA-like proteins. When secondary structure predictions and motif searches were performed on the proteins deduced from each of the genes, all three proteins had ?-helix-rich structures and LEA_4 motifs, which are characteristic of LEA proteins. Moreover, the recombinant proteins synthesized from these genes were heat soluble even when boiling, so that these proteins have hydrophilic properties as high as plant LEA proteins. Therefore, the three isolated genes were found to be novel P. vanderplanki-derived LEA genes.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: National Institute of Agrobiological SciencesInventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
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Patent number: 7892789Abstract: There are provided trehalose transporter gene and a method of introducing trehalose into cells by using the gene. Candidates for the trehalose transporter genes were searched in P. vanderplanki EST, resulting in being obtained cDNA designated as Tret1. Tret1 encodes a 504 amino acid protein with 12 trans-membrane structures. Tret1 expression was induced by desiccation stress and predominant in the fat body. Functional expression of TRET1 in Xenopus oocytes showed that transport activity was specific for trehalose and independent of extracellular pH and electrochemical membrane potential. The direction of transport of TRET1 was reversible depending on the concentration gradient of trehalose. Apparent Km and Vmax of TRET1 for trehalose were extraordinarily high values. These results indicate that TRET1 is a facilitated, high-capacity trehalose-specific transporter. Tret1 is widespread in insects. Furthermore, TRET1 conferred trehalose permeability upon cells including those of vertebrates as well as insects.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Inventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Ayako Saito, Yasushi Kanamori, Yuichi Nakahara
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Publication number: 20090124004Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides encoding insect desiccation resistance proteins, and uses thereof. cDNA libraries were produced from Polypedilum vanderplanki larvae in a desiccated state, a P. vanderplanki EST database was constructed, and genes encoding LEA proteins were isolated. This resulted in the successful isolation of three types of novel gene encoding LEA-like proteins (PvLEA1, PvLEA2, and PvLEA3.) When secondary structure predictions and motif searches were performed on the proteins deduced from each of the genes, all three proteins had ?-helix-rich structures and LEA_4 motifs, which are characteristic of LEA proteins. Moreover, the recombinant proteins synthesized from PvLEA1, 2 and 3 genes were heat soluble even when boiling, so that PvLEA1, 2 and 3 proteins have highly hydrophilic property as well as plant LEA proteins. Therefore, the three isolated genes were found to be novel P. vanderplanki-derived LEA genes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: National Institute of Agrobiological SciencesInventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
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Publication number: 20090111176Abstract: There are provided trehalose transporter gene and a method of introducing trehalose into cells by using the gene. Candidates for the trehalose transporter genes were searched in P. vanderplanki EST, resulting in being obtained cDNA designated as Tret1. Tret1 encodes a 504 amino acid protein with 12 trans-membrane structures. Tret1 expression was induced by desiccation stress and predominant in the fat body. Functional expression of TRET1 in Xenopus oocytes showed that transport activity was specific for trehalose and independent of extracellular pH and electrochemical membrane potential. The direction of transport of TRET1 was reversible depending on the concentration gradient of trehalose. Apparent Km and Vmax of TRET1 for trehalose were extraordinarily high values. These results indicate that TRET1 is a facilitated, high-capacity trehalose-specific transporter. Tret1 is widespread in insects. Furthermore, TRET1 conferred trehalose permeability upon cells including those of vertebrates as well as insects.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Ayako Saito, Yasushi Kanamori, Yuichi Nakahara
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Patent number: 7473769Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides encoding insect desiccation resistance proteins, and uses thereof. cDNA libraries were produced from Polypedilum vanderplanki larvae in a desiccated state, a P. vanderplanki EST database was constructed, and genes encoding LEA proteins were isolated. This resulted in the successful isolation of three types of novel gene encoding LEA-like proteins. When secondary structure predictions and motif searches were performed on the proteins deduced from each of the genes, all three proteins had ?-helix-rich structures and LEA_4 motifs, which are characteristic of LEA proteins. Moreover, the recombinant proteins synthesized from these genes were heat soluble even when boiling, so that these proteins have hydrophilic property as high as plant LEA proteins. Therefore, the three isolated genes were found to be novel P. vanderplanki-derived LEA genes.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: National Institute of Agrobiological SciencesInventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
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Patent number: 7465535Abstract: This invention provides a method for effectively producing dehydrated larvae for educational materials without disrupting the environment. The cryptobiotic larvae for educational materials can be obtained by dehydrating larvae while gradually reducing humidity in 3 separate stages.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: National Institute of Agrobiological SciencesInventors: Kazuyo Watanabe, legal representative, Takashi Okuda, Takahiro Kikawada, Yasuhiko Kobayashi, Tetsuya Sakashita, Seichi Wada, Tomoo Funayama, Masahiko Watanabe
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Publication number: 20060160061Abstract: This invention provides a method for effectively producing dehydrated larvae for educational materials without disrupting the environment. The cryptobiotic larvae for educational materials can be obtained by dehydrating larvae while gradually reducing humidity in 3 separate stages.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2005Publication date: July 20, 2006Applicant: National Institute of Agrobiological SciencesInventors: Masahiko Watanabe, Takashi Okuda, Takahiro Kikawada, Yasuhiko Kobayashi, Tetsuya Sakashita, Seichi Wada, Tomoo Funayama
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Publication number: 20060059583Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides encoding insect desiccation resistance proteins, and uses thereof. cDNA libraries were produced from Polypedilum vanderplanki larvae in a desiccated state, a P. vanderplanki EST database was constructed, and genes encoding LEA proteins were isolated. This resulted in the successful isolation of three types of novel gene encoding LEA-like proteins (PvLEA1, PvLEA2, and PvLEA3). When secondary structure predictions and motif searches were performed on the proteins deduced from each of the genes, all three proteins had ?-helix-rich structures and LEA_4 motifs, which are characteristic of LEA proteins. Moerover, the recombinant proteins synthesized from PvLEA1, 2 and 3 genes were heat soluble even when boiling, so that PvLEA1, 2 and 3 proteins have highly hydrophilic property as well as plant LEA proteins. Therefore, the three isolated genes were found to be novel P. vanderplanki-derived LEA genes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2005Publication date: March 16, 2006Applicant: National Institute of Agrobiological SciencesInventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
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Patent number: 6962774Abstract: A tissue of a multicellular organism is gradually dried during cultivation. After the tissue has been completely dehydrated, water is added to the tissue for its recovery. The tissue of the multicellular organism is submerged in an insect body fluid medium treated with heat, and dried for 48 hours or more.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignees: National Institute of Agrobiological SciencesInventors: Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Takahiro Kikawada
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Publication number: 20040185425Abstract: A tissue of a multicellular organism is gradually dried during cultivation. After the tissue has been completely dehydrated, water is added to the tissue for its recovery. The tissue of the multicellular organism is submerged in an insect body fluid medium treated with heat, and dried for 48 hours or more.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicants: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Takahiro KikawadaInventors: Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Takahiro Kikawada