Unveiling a New Mechanism for Maintaining Cholesterol Levels in Cell Membranes

It was when I was first able to observe the coordinated movement of ABCA1 and Aster-A under the microscope. This research was motivated by a presentation I heard at an academic conference that revealed the function of Aster-A for the first time. I thought about it in conjunction with the paper on ABCA1 that I was writing at the time, and discussed it with Professor Ueda on the spot. The first results were obtained about two months later. At the time, the Aster-A paper had only just been published, and I remember how happy I was to have been able to give shape to my imagination by making use of fresh information.

We had the most difficulty in proving the movement of cholesterol within the cell. Cholesterol is a difficult lipid to label, different labeling methods show different results, and its distribution and movement is still being discussed. We tried to visualize cholesterol by multiple methods and to induce only the targeted phenomenon as much as possible, for example, by using drugs to quickly switch the activity of ABCA1 on and off. I believe that our careful and sincere approach in setting up the experimental conditions led to this paper.

The theory that ABCA1 creates asymmetric cholesterol distribution between the bilayers of the cell membrane is still new in the long history of cholesterol research, and there are many skeptical voices. I learned that persistent research is necessary to overturn the "common sense" as described in textbooks, and that it is a different degree of difficulty from making new discoveries. I hope to continue my research always unbound by preconceptions.

I am still working as a researcher in the Ueda Group. iCeMS has state-of-the-art equipment and support. I was also able to use the super-resolution microscope for this research, which allowed me to obtain clear data. I hope to make the most of the experience gained in such a well-endowed research environment and bring it forward to my future career.