Kanai, Akio
カナイ アキオ
Kanai, Akio
Graduate School of Media and Governance/Professor EmeritusBasic Information
Specialty
Molecular Biology, Molecular Evolution
Related Links
Researcher Number
60260329
Laboratory Information
〒997-0017
Message from Faculty
Our laboratory integrates bioinformatics and experimental biology to investigate RNA molecular biology and molecular evolution. One of our hallmark achievements is the systematic discovery of functional RNAs. For example, by analyzing full-length mouse cDNA clones, we were the first to show that mammals possess a large repertoire of long noncoding RNAs (Genome Res. 2003, in collaboration with RIKEN). We later identified novel classes of small RNAs in Escherichia coli (BMC Genomics 2011) and microRNAs in the “living fossil” tadpole shrimp (RNA 2015), and demonstrated that synthetic small RNAs can suppress E. coli growth (RNA Biol. 2017). We have also systematically characterized the evolution of group II introns—mobile genetic elements—in prokaryotes (Front. Microbiol. 2022). From 2006 over roughly a decade, we contributed to the discovery of variously fragmented tRNA and tRNA-like genes (Mol. Biol. Evol. 2008; PNAS 2009; Nucleic Acids Res. 2012; Mol. Biol. Evol. 2016), and about half of the known structural types of tRNA genes worldwide were first proposed by our group. In 2025, we discovered that, during anticancer drug-induced cancer cell death, leucine tRNA (UAA) is degraded and its abundance decreases, and that tRNA fragments play a crucial role (Nucleic Acids Res. 2025). We have also shown that the ultra-small bacteria known as CPR bacteria possess unusually small ribosomes (RNA 2022) and harbor numerous rRNA introns (J. Bact. 2024). In addition, we have characterized the biochemical properties and molecular evolution of enzymes involved in RNA regulation (RNA 2009; Nucleic Acids Res. 2011; Genome Biol. Evol. 2019; J. Mol. Evol. 2023, 2025). Due to my dual role as a professor at the Institute for Advanced Biosciences, and the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, I have been particularly mindful of the concepts of "Environment" and "Information" in shaping the direction of my research over the past decade. When I speak of the "Environment," I specifically refer to habitats where life can barely survive, with a particular focus on extreme environments. On the other hand, "Information" is self-evident; it pertains to genetic information. In essence, by examining gene expression in situations critical to cells, we strive to gain a deeper understanding of the essence of "Life." (Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2024; ISME J. 2024). Education of undergraduate and graduate students: The goal of our RNA research group is to create human resources who can think for themselves. This needs to be learned properly during the student years. In extreme terms, it does not matter who you learn the experimental techniques from, as long as you can learn them correctly. What is important is to be able to think properly about what to study, what to do when in trouble, and how to develop. In other words, it is important for you to be able to develop your research without being bound by the themes of your student days.
Biography
Researcher profile
Dr. Akio Kanai was born in Tokyo, Japan. He graduated from Waseda University in 1985, and obtained his PhD in molecular biology at the University of Tokyo in 1990. He finished postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health, USA (1990-1992), and he was appointed a researcher in the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science (1992-1996). He was a group leader for the Japan Science and Technology Corporation (JST), ERATO Project Group (1996-2001). He was an Associate Professor at the Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University (2001-2006) and accepted a full professorship in April, 2006 (concurrently serves as a professor at the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University). Since 2022, he is also a professor of Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University. His major research fields include molecular cellular biology and gene regulation in a variety of organisms. His work in life sciences has led him to his present research into RNA-binding proteins and non-coding RNAs.Retired in March 2026; appointed Professor Emeritus at Keio University in April.
General introduction
It has been 70 years since the flow of genetic information (central dogma) from DNA to RNA to protein was proposed. Although this concept remains unchanged as the basic axis, it has been required to be modified with the discovery of reverse transcriptases in the 1970s and RNA enzymes (ribozymes) in the 1980s. Furthermore, with the discovery of so many non-coding RNAs in the 21st century, the function of the RNA molecules themselves in central dogma has become impossible to ignore. This project focuses on functional RNAs, RNA-binding proteins, and RNA-related enzymes involved in gene regulations, and aims to elucidate new regulatory mechanisms mediated by RNAs. Furthermore, based on the findings obtained through these studies, we will discuss the origin of life, evolution, and the basic regulatory mechanisms of genes. For recent references in this field, please refer to the following publication: Molecular Evolution of RNA Regulatory Enzymes and Their Systems (Editors: Akio Kanai & Allen W. Nicholson), https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-03300-0
Research experience
Professor Emeritus at Keio University
Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University Systems Biology Program
Professor, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University
Research
Research Interests
- Archaea, Bacteria, RNA viruses
- Systems biology, Synthetic biology, Genome biology
- Non-codingRNA, transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, RNA-related enzymes
- RNA processing, pre-tRNA-splicing, RNA ligase, Ribonuclease
- Genetic code, Molecular evolution
Research areas
Evolutionary biology / Molecular evolution
Molecular biology / RNA molecular biology
Genome biology / Gene evolution
Research theme
(1) RNA-Binding Proteins & RNA-Related Enzymes, (2) Non-coding RNAs, (3) Origin of Life, (4) Molecular Evolution, (5) Microbiomes of Extreme Environments, (6) Systems Biology of Gene Regulation, (7) Evolution of RNA viruses