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).

  • Patent number: 8173790
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
    Inventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
  • Publication number: 20110281349
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
    Inventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
  • Patent number: 7939647
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
    Inventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
  • Patent number: 7892789
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Ayako Saito, Yasushi Kanamori, Yuichi Nakahara
  • Publication number: 20090124004
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
    Inventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
  • Publication number: 20090111176
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Ayako Saito, Yasushi Kanamori, Yuichi Nakahara
  • Patent number: 7473769
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
    Inventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
  • Patent number: 7465535
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
    Inventors: Kazuyo Watanabe, legal representative, Takashi Okuda, Takahiro Kikawada, Yasuhiko Kobayashi, Tetsuya Sakashita, Seichi Wada, Tomoo Funayama, Masahiko Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20060160061
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Applicant: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
    Inventors: Masahiko Watanabe, Takashi Okuda, Takahiro Kikawada, Yasuhiko Kobayashi, Tetsuya Sakashita, Seichi Wada, Tomoo Funayama
  • Publication number: 20060059583
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Applicant: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
    Inventors: Takahiro Kikawada, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Kazuei Mita, Keiko Kadono
  • Patent number: 6962774
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignees: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
    Inventors: Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Takahiro Kikawada
  • Publication number: 20040185425
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicants: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Takahiro Kikawada
    Inventors: Takashi Okuda, Masahiko Watanabe, Takahiro Kikawada