Details of the Researcher

PHOTO

Juki Nakao
Section
Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Job title
Degree

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Science (Nagasaki University)

e-Rad No.
61021655

Research History 3

  • 2026/04 - Present
    Tohoku University　Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences

  • 2025/04 - 2026/03
    Tohoku University　Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences

  • 2024/04 - 2025/03
    Nagasaki University　Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Professional Memberships 4

  • 日本核酸医薬学会

  • 日本分子生物学会

  • 日本化学会

  • 日本薬学会

Research Interests 2

  • 光化学

  • 核酸化学

Research Areas 2

  • Nanotechnology/Materials / Chemical biology /

  • Nanotechnology/Materials / Biochemistry /

Papers 5

  1. Recent Advances in Photocatalyst-Driven Protein Labeling and Proximity Mapping. International-journal Peer-reviewed

    Shinichi Sato, Kazuki Miura, Juki Nakao, Hiroyuki Nakamura

    Chemical record (New York, N.Y.)　e70180　2026/06/01

    DOI： 10.1002/tcr.70180 　

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    Photocatalysis has emerged as a powerful strategy for controlling chemical reactivity with light, offering unique opportunities for spatial and temporal regulation. While visible-light photocatalysis was originally developed in the context of small-molecule synthesis, recent years have witnessed its rapid expansion into the selective modification of peptides and proteins under biologically compatible conditions. When photocatalysts are localized through ligands, antibodies, nanomaterials, or genetic fusion, photochemical reactivity becomes confined to defined molecular neighborhoods, giving rise to photocatalytic proximity labeling as a distinct chemical approach for probing biomolecular interactions. This review summarizes advances in photocatalyst-enabled protein modification and proximity labeling reported up to 2025. We highlight how diverse photochemical mechanisms-including single-electron transfer, energy transfer, and the generation of short-lived reactive intermediates such as radicals, carbenes, nitrenes, and singlet oxygen-have been harnessed across experimental regimes ranging from purified proteins and solid-supported platforms to living cells, tissues, and in vivo systems. Collectively, these developments establish photocatalysis as a versatile chemical framework for rational design of proximity labeling tools with tunable spatial resolution, enabling spatial encoding in biological systems and the interrogation of protein interactions within complex biological environments.

  2. Modular Synthesis of Methyl-Substituted Novel Psoralen N -Hydroxysuccinimide Esters and Evaluation of DNA Photocrosslinking Properties of the Corresponding Triplex-Forming Oligonucleotide Conjugates Peer-reviewed

    Yu Mikame, Nagisa Maekawa, Soichiro Kimura, Juki Nakao, Asako Yamayoshi

    SYNLETT　35　(11)　1285-1290　2024/07/02

    DOI： 10.1055/a-2229-7441 　

    ISSN： 0936-5214

    eISSN： 1437-2096

  3. Development and Crosslinking Properties of Psoralen-Conjugated Triplex-Forming Oligonucleotides as Antigene Tools Targeting Genome DNA. International-journal Peer-reviewed

    Yu Mikame, Honoka Eshima, Haruki Toyama, Juki Nakao, Misaki Matsuo, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Yoshiyuki Hari, Jun A Komano, Asako Yamayoshi

    ChemMedChem　18　(21)　e202300348　2023/11/02

    DOI： 10.1002/cmdc.202300348 　

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    Psoralen-conjugated triplex-forming oligonucleotides (Ps-TFOs) have been utilized for genome editing and anti-gene experiments for over thirty years. However, the research on Ps-TFOs employing artificial nucleotides is still limited, and their photo-crosslinking properties have not been thoroughly investigated in relation to biological activities. In this study, we extensively examined the photo-crosslinking properties of Ps-TFOs to provide fundamental insights for future Ps-TFO design. We developed novel Ps-TFOs containing 2'-O,4'-C-methylene-bridged nucleic acids (Ps-LNA-mixmer) and investigated their photo-crosslinking properties using stable cell lines that express firefly luciferase constitutively to evaluate the anti-gene activities of Ps-LNA-mixmer. As a result, Ps-LNA-mixmer successfully demonstrated suppression activity, and we presented the first-ever correlation between photo-crosslinking properties and their activities. Our findings also indicate that the photo-crosslinking process is insufficient under cell irradiation conditions (365 nm, 2 mW/cm2 , 60 min). Therefore, our results highlight the need to develop new psoralen derivatives that are more reactive under cell irradiation conditions.

  4. Unique Crosslinking Properties of Psoralen-Conjugated Oligonucleotides Developed by Novel Psoralen N-Hydroxysuccinimide Esters. International-journal Peer-reviewed

    Juki Nakao, Yu Mikame, Honoka Eshima, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Chikara Dohno, Takehiko Wada, Asako Yamayoshi

    Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology　24　(15)　e202200789　2023/08/01

    DOI： 10.1002/cbic.202200789 　

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    Psoralens and their derivatives, such as trioxsalen, have unique crosslinking features to DNA. However, psoralen monomers do not have sequence-specific crosslinking ability with the target DNA. With the development of psoralen-conjugated oligonucleotides (Ps-Oligos), sequence-specific crosslinking with target DNA has become achievable, thereby expanding the application of psoralen-conjugated molecules in gene transcription inhibition, gene knockout, and targeted recombination by genome editing. In this study, we developed two novel psoralen N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters that allow the introduction of psoralens into any amino-modified oligonucleotides. Quantitative evaluation of the photo-crosslinking efficiencies of the Ps-Oligos to target single-stranded DNAs revealed that the crosslinking selectivity to 5-mC is the unique feature of trioxsalen. We found that the introduction of an oligonucleotide via a linker at the C-5 position of psoralen can promote favorable crosslinking to target double-stranded DNA. We believe our findings are essential information for the development of Ps-Oligos as novel gene regulation tools.

  5. Selective Photo-Crosslinking Detection of Methylated Cytosine in DNA Duplex Aided by a Cationic Comb-Type Copolymer. International-journal Peer-reviewed

    Atsuhiro Kojima, Juki Nakao, Naohiko Shimada, Naoki Yoshida, Yota Abe, Yu Mikame, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Takehiko Wada, Atsushi Maruyama, Asako Yamayoshi

    ACS biomaterials science & engineering　8　(5)　1799-1805　2022/05/09

    DOI： 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00048 　

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    In the process of cell development and differentiation, C-5-methylation of cytosine (5-methylcytosine: 5-mC) in genome DNA is an important transcriptional regulator that switches between differentiated and undifferentiated states. Further, abnormal DNA methylations are often present in tumor suppressor genes and are associated with many diseases. Therefore, 5-mC detection technology is an important tool in the most exciting fields of molecular biology and diagnosing diseases such as cancers. In this study, we found a novel photo-crosslinking property of psoralen-conjugated oligonucleotide (Ps-Oligo) to the double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) containing 5-mC in the presence of a cationic comb-type copolymer, poly(allylamine)-graft-dextran (PAA-g-Dex). Photo-crosslinking efficiency of Ps-Oligo to 5-mC in ds-DNA was markedly enhanced in the presence of PAA-g-Dex, permitting 5-mC-targeted crosslinking. We believe that the combination of PAA-g-Dex and Ps-Oligo will be an effective tool for detecting 5-mC in genomic DNA.

Misc. 4

  1. 微小環境マッピング(µMap)法を用いた核内環境のマルチオミクス解析

    中尾樹希

    ファルマシア　61　(11)　1033　2025/11

    Publisher: 日本薬学会

  2. ゲノムDNAを標的とした光駆動核酸の開発—特集 多様化するバイオテクノロジーと光技術

    中尾 樹希, 三瓶 悠, 山吉 麻子

    光アライアンス = Optical alliance / 光アライアンス編集委員会 編　34　(10)　30-34　2023/10

    Publisher: 東京 : 日本工業出版

    ISSN： 0917-026X

  3. Therapeutic application of sequence-specific binding molecules for novel genome editing tools. International-journal

    Juki Nakao, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Asako Yamayoshi

    Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics　42　100427-100427　2022/02

    DOI： 10.1016/j.dmpk.2021.100427 　

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    Genome editing has been expected to widely increase the available treatment options for various diseases and permit pharmaceutical interventions in previously untreatable conditions. The availability of genome editing tools was dramatically increased by the development of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. However, a number of issues limit the use of the CRISPR-Cas9 system and other gene-editing tools in the clinical treatment of diseases. This review summarized the history and types of genome editing tools and limitations of their use. In addition, the study addressed several next-generation technologies aiming to overcome the limitations of current gene therapy protocols in an effort to accelerate the clinical development of potential treatment options. This review has provided an extensive foundation of the current state of genome editing technology and its clinical development. This review also indicate that the study additionally highlighted the need for multidisciplinary approaches to overcome current bottlenecks in the development of genome editing.

  4. Genome editing tools and oligonucleotide therapeutics

    中尾樹希, 山本剛史, 山吉麻子

    実験医学　39　(17)　2021

    ISSN： 0288-5514

Presentations 21

  1. Photoreactive Peptide Nucleic Acid enables exogenous-nuclease-independent genome editing.

    Juki Nakao, Yu Mikame, Kazumitsu Onizuka, Atsushi Shibata, Chikara Dohno, Takehiko Wada, Jun A. Komano, Asako Yamayoshi

    2026/03/27

  2. 光架橋性ペプチド核酸による新規光駆動型ゲノム編集技術の開発

    中尾樹希, 三瓶悠, 松崎有修, 駒野淳, 柴田淳史, 山本剛史, 堂野主税, 和田健彦, 山吉麻子

    第18回バイオ関連化学シンポジウム　2024/09/13

  3. Development of Photo-reactive Oligonucleotides with Novel Psoralen N-hydroxysuccinimides for Gemone Editing Tools

    Juki Nakao, Yu Mikame, Yusuke Matsuzaki, Jun A. Komano, Atsushi Shibata, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Chikara Dohno, Takehiko Wada, Asako Yamayoshi

    IRT2024　2024/09/03

  4. Development of Novel Genome Editing Technology Using Photo-Crosslinkable Peptide Nucleic Acids

    Juki Nakao, Yu Mikame, Yusuke Matsuzaki, Jun A. Komano, Atsushi Shibata, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Chikara Dohno, Takehiko Wada, Asako Yamayoshi

    2024/07/17

  5. 光架橋能性ペプチド核酸による新規ゲノム編集技術の開発 Invited

    中尾樹希, 三瓶悠, 松崎有修, 駒野淳, 柴田淳史, 山本剛史, 堂野主税, 和田健彦, 山吉麻子

    核酸医薬学会第9年会若手シンポジウム　2024/07/15

  6. ゲノム編集を可能とする新規光架橋性人工核酸の開発

    中尾 樹希, 三瓶 悠, 江島 穂乃香, 山本 剛史, 堂野 主税, 和田 健彦, 山吉 麻子

    日本薬学会第144年会　2024/03/31

  7. ゲノム編集を可能とする新規光架橋性オリゴヌクレオチドの開発

    中尾 樹希, 三瓶 悠, 江島 穂乃香, 山本 剛史, 堂野 主税, 和田 健彦, 山吉 麻子

    第46回日本分子生物学会年会　2023/12/08

  8. 新規Psoralen N-Hydroxysuccinimide Estersを用いた光架橋性人工核酸の開発

    中尾 樹希, 三瓶悠, 江島 穂乃香, 山本 剛史, 堂野 主税, 和田 健彦, 山吉 麻子

    第13回CSJ化学フェスタ2023　2023/10/18

  9. ゲノム編集を可能とする新規光駆動型オリゴヌクレオチドの開発

    中尾 樹希, 三瓶 悠, 江島 穂乃香, 山本 剛史, 堂野 主税, 和田 健彦, 山吉 麻子

    細胞を創る会16.0　2023/09/25

  10. 新規Psoralen-NHSの開発と光架橋性オリゴヌクレオチドへの展開

    中尾樹希, 三瓶悠, 江島穂乃香, 山本剛史, 堂野主税, 和田健彦, 山吉麻子

    核酸医薬学会第8年会　2023/07/12

  11. Novel Psoralen NHS Esters as Versatile Tools in the Development of Photo-reactive Oligonucleotides

    Juki Nakao, Yu Mikame, Honoka Eshima, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Chikara Dohno, Takehiko Wada, Asako Yamayoshi

    7th Gratama Workshop　2023/05/10

  12. 新規光架橋性ヌクレオシドを含む三重鎖形成核酸の開発

    中尾 樹希, 江島 穂乃香, 三瓶 悠, 山本 剛史, 堂野 主税, 和田 健彦, 山吉 麻子

    日本薬学会第143年会　2023/03/26

  13. Development of novel psoralen-conjugated triplex forming oligonucleotides targeting provirus gene

    Juki Nakao, Yu Mikame, Honoka Eshima, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Chikara Dohno, Takehiko Wada, Asako Yamayoshi

    ISNAC2022　2022/11/02

  14. プロウイルスゲノムを標的とするソラレン搭載型三重鎖形成核酸の開発

    中尾樹希, 江島穂乃香, 三瓶悠, 松尾美咲, 山本剛史, 堂野主税, 和田健彦, 山吉麻子

    第二回「物質共生」学術領域会議　2022/08/08

  15. プロウイルス遺伝子を標的とした新規光架橋性インターカレーター導入型核酸の開発

    中尾樹希, 江島穂乃香, 三瓶悠, 松尾美咲, 山本剛史, 堂野主税, 和田健彦, 山吉麻子

    日本核酸医薬学会第7年会　2022/08/01

  16. プロウイルスゲノムを標的とした新規光架橋性インターカレーター導入型核酸の開発

    中尾樹希, 江島穂乃香, 三瓶悠, 松尾美咲, 山本剛史, 堂野主税, 和田健彦, 山吉麻子

    日本ケミカルバイオロジー学会第16回年会　2022/05/31

  17. Development of novel Light-genome-editing tools for provirus gene

    2022/03/27

  18. Photo-cross-linking behaviors of psoralen-conjugated triplex forming oligonucleotides

    Juki Nakao, Honoka Eshima, Yu Mikame, Misaki Matsuo, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Chikara Dono, Takehiko Wada, Asako Yamayoshi

    ISNAC2021　2021/11/10

  19. 光架橋性三重鎖形成核酸の開発と光架橋能評価

    中尾樹希, 江島穂乃香, 三瓶悠, 松尾美咲, 山本剛史, 堂野主税, 和田健彦, 山吉麻子

    第8回バイオ関連化学シンポジウム若手フォーラム　2021/09/03

  20. ソラレン導入型核酸の光架橋特性の評価

    中尾樹希, 江島穂乃香, 山本剛史, 堂野主税, 和田健彦, 山吉麻子

    第58回化学関連支部合同九州大会　2021/07/03

  21. ソラレン導入型核酸の二重鎖DNAに対する光架橋特性の評価

    中尾樹希, 江島穂乃香, 山本剛史, 堂野主税, 和田健彦, 山吉麻子

    日本薬学会第141年会　2021/03/27

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Industrial Property Rights 2

  1. 凝集タンパク質の疎水性相互作用部位に共有結合性架橋構造を形成するための架橋剤、この架橋剤を用いた凝集タンパク質への架橋構造導入方法、及び、この架橋構造導入方法を用いた凝集タンパク質の病原性低減方法

    佐藤 伸一, 中尾 樹希

    Property Type: Patent

  2. NEW PSORALEN COMPOUND

    Asako Yamayoshi, Yu mikame, Juki Nakao

    特許PCT/JP2023/046152

    Property Type: Patent

Research Projects 4

  1. DNA定規による近接標識反応の精密距離評価のプラットフォーム構築

    中尾 樹希

    Offer Organization: 日本学術振興会

    System: 科学研究費助成事業

    Category: 特別研究員奨励費

    Institution: 東北大学

    2026/04 - 2029/03

  2. オルガネラ局在RNAの解明に向けたラベル化RNA-Seq解析

    中尾樹希、山野雄平

    Offer Organization: 東北大学附置研究所

    System: 2026年度若手研究者アンサンブルグラント

    Institution: 東北大学

    2026/06 - 2027/03

  3. オルガネラ局在RNAの解明に向けたラベル化RNA-SeqデータのAI統合解析

    中尾樹希

    Offer Organization: 文部科学省

    System: AI for Scienceによる科学研究革新プログラム

    Category: AI for Science萌芽的挑戦研究創出事業(SPReAD) 第1回

    2026/07 - 2027/01

  4. 光ゲノム編集を可能とする新規光架橋性核酸の開発

    中尾 樹希

    Offer Organization: 日本学術振興会

    System: 科学研究費助成事業

    Category: 特別研究員奨励費

    Institution: 長崎大学

    2024/04/23 - 2025/03/31

Media Coverage 2

  1. あらゆる人工核酸へ光架橋性の付与を実現する新規化合物の開発

    Chem-Station　スポットライトリサーチ　https://www.chem-station.com/blog/2023/04/pco.html

    2023/05/17

    Type: Internet

  2. 遺伝子の光反応を実現する新しい光架橋性化合物の開発に成功〜あらゆる分子への光反応性の付与を可能とする万能分子に期待

    長崎大学　プレスリリース　https://www.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/ja/guidance/kouhou/press/file/2022/20230324-1.pdf

    2023/03

    Type: Internet