5. Kohei Kazuma
Okinawa Churashima Foundation RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Research on subtropical plants

Research staff profile

Kazuma Kohei, Ph.D.

Kohei Kazuma, Ph.D.

(Research Scientist)

Area of
expertise		 Natural product chemistry, pharmacognosy, plant chemistry, and bioresources science.
Research
content		 Exploration of plants and animals for medicinal and functional food use, and exploratory research on their functional chemical components.
Research on chemical structures of plant pigments and their biosynthetic pathways.

Background

  • 2023 – (Current) Researcher at Okinawa Churashima Foundation Research Institute, Nago, Japan
  • 2022 – Director at Asia Supporting Organization Alternative Plant for Opium Poppy, Sendai, Japan
  • 2018 – Associate professor at Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
  • 2017 – Visiting researcher at Faculty of Life & Environmental Sciences, Teikyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2017 – Part-time assistant researcher at Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
  • 2009 – Assistant professor at Institute of Natural Medicine, Toyama University, Toyama, Japan
  • 2009 - Part-time assistant researcher at Toyama University, Toyama, Japan
  • 2008 – Part-time assistant researcher at Faculty of Health Sciences, Aomori University of Health and Welfare, Aomori, Japan
  • 2006 – Research trainee at Aomori Green Bio-Center, Aomori Prefectural Government, Aomori, Japan
  • 2003 – Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science at Aomori Green Bio-Center, Aomori Prefectural Government, Aomori, Japan
  • 2002 - Domestic Research Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science at Aomori Green Bio-Center, Aomori Prefectural Government, Aomori, Japan
  • 2000 – Domestic Research Fellow, Japan Science and Technology Corporation at Aomori Green Bio-Center, Aomori Prefectural Government, Aomori, Japan
  • 2000 – Ph.D. (Agriculture)at the Department of Bioresources Science, United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan; fulfilled doctoral course work

Awards received

  • 2014 Kazuma, K. and 7 coauthors. Outstanding Poster Award, the 15th Annual Convention of Japan Society for Food Engineering
  • 2004 Kazuma, K. and 4 ressearchers. Director's Award of Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Aomori Prefectural Government
  • 2003 Kazuma, K. Outstanding Poster Award of the 44th Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Products.

Research papers, Essays, Reports

  • Yoshida, K., Takayama,Y., Asano, T., Kazuma, K. (2023) Differences in the content of purple pigments, catechinopyranocyanidin A and B, in various adzuki beans, Vigna angularis. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, accepted. https://doi.org/10.1093/bbb/zbad010.
  • Tohda, M., Zhao, Q., Kobayashi, N., Kazuma, K. (2021) Use of an electrophysiological technique for stepwise detection of trace agonist constituents of Hochuekkito in Xenopus oocytes injected with serotonin 2C receptor mRNA. Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics, DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2021.01037.
  • Batsukh, Z., Toume, K., Javazan, B., Kazuma, K., Cai, S.-Q., Hayashi, S., Atsumi, T., Yoshitomi, T., Uchiyama, N., Maruyama, T., Kawahara, N., Komatsu, K. (2020) Characterization of metabolites in Saposhnikovia divaricata root from Mongolia. Journal of Natural Medicines
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-020-01430-9.
  • Rádis-Baptista, G., Dodou, H. V., Prieto-da-Silva, Á. R. B., Zaharenko, A. J., Kazuma, K., Nihei, K.-i., Inagaki, H., Mori-Yasumoto, K., Konno K. (2020) Comprehensive analysis of peptides and low molecular weight components of the giant ant Dinoponera quadriceps venom. Biological Chemistry, 1, accepted, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/hsz-2019-397ja-01.
  • Batsukh, Z., Toume, K., Javzan, B., Kazuma, K., Cai, S., Hayashi, S., Kawahara, N., Maruyama, T., Komatsu, K. (2020) Metabolomic profiling of Saposhnikoviae Radix from Mongolia by LC-IT-TOF-MS/MS and multivariate statistical analysis. Journal of Natural Medicines, 74, 170-188.
  • Konno, K., Kazuma, K., Rangel, M., de Oliveira, J. S., Fontana, R., Kawano, M., Fuchino, H., Hide, I., Yasuhara, T., Nakata, Y. (2019) New Mastoparan Peptides in the Venom of the Solitary Eumenine Wasp Eumenes micado. Toxins, 11, 155; doi:10.3390/toxins11030155.
  • Tani, N., Kazuma, K., Ohtsuka, Y., Shigeri, Y., Masuko, K., Konno, K., Inagaki, H. (2019) Mass Spectrometry Analysis and Biological Characterization of the Predatory Ant Odontomachus monticola Venom and Venom Sac Components. Toxins, 11, 50. doi: 10.3390/toxins11010050.
  • Yoshida, K., Nagai, N., Ichikawa, Y., Goto, M., Kazuma, K., Oyama, K.-i., Koga, K., Hashimoto, M., Iuchi, S., Takaya, Y., Kondo, T. (2018) Structure of two purple pigments, catechiopyranocyanidins A and B from the seed-coat of the small red bean, Vigna angularis. Scientific Reports 9, 1484,
    https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-37641-0
  • Luna-Bulbarela, A., Tinoco-Valencia, R., Corzo, G., Kazuma, K., Konno, K., Galindo, E., Serrano-Carreón, L. (2018) Effects of bacillomycin D homologues produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 83 on growth and viability of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides at different physiological stages. Biological Control,
    doi:　https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2018.08.004.
  • Shinzaki, J., Kazuma, K., Satake, M., Kondo, K., Konno, K. (2018) PCR-RFLP Method for Rapid Discrimination of Toxic Plants Involved in Food Poisoning. Food Hygiene and Safety Science (Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi), 59, 134-140．
  • Ferreira, W. A. Jr., Zaharenko, A. J., Kazuma, K., Picolo, G., Gutierrez, V. P., de Freitas J. C., Konno, K., Cury, Y. (2017) Peripheral 5-HT3 Receptors Are Involved in the Antinociceptive Effect of Bunodosine 391. Toxins, 10, 12; doi:10.3390/toxins10010012.
  • Kazuma, K., Masuko, K., Konno, K., Inagaki, H. (2017) Combined venom gland transcriptomic and venom peptidomic analysis of the predatory ant Odontomachus monticola. Toxins 9, 323; doi:10.3390/toxins9100323.
  • Matsumoto, H., Konno, K., Kazuma, K. (2017) A Comprehensive LC-MS and Isolation Study of Cicada Slough as a Crude Drug. Natural Product Communications, 12, 1789-1792.
  • Kazuma, K., Ando, K., Nihei, K.-i., Wang, X., Rangel, M., Franzolin, M. R., Mori-Yasumoto, K., Sekita, S., Kadowaki, M., Satake, M., Konno, K. (2017) Peptidomic analysis of the venom of the solitary bee Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases, 23, 40.
  • Kawada, S., Kazuma, K., Asahina, H., Tsuchida, T., Tominaga, N., Satake M. (2016) Karyological study of the white tailed mole, Parascaptor leucura, from Myanmar. Bulletin of the National Museum of Nature and Science, Ser. A. 42, 99-104.
  • Shinozaki, J., Kenmoku, H., Nihei, K., Masuda, K., Noji, M., Konno, K., Asakawa, Y., Kazuma, K. (2016) Cloning and Functional Analysis of Three Chalcone Synthases from the Flowers of Safflowers Carthamus tinctorius. Natural Product Communications, 11, 787-790.
  • Kazuma, K., Isobe, Y., Asahina, H., Nehira, T., Satake, M., Konno, K. (2016) Crataegusins A and B, new flavanocoumarins from the dried fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida var. major (Rosaceae). Natural Product Communications, 11, 965-969.
  • Ge, Y.-W., Zhu, S., Kazuma, K., Wei., S.-L., Yoshimatsu, K., Komatsu, K. (2016) Molecular ion index assisted comprehensive profiling of B-type oligomeric proanthocyanidins in rhubarb by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, DOI 10.1007/s00216-016-9433-z.
  • Hashizaki, R., Komori, H., Kazuma, K., Konno, K., Kawabata, K., Kaneko, D., Katano, H., Taira S., (2016) Localization analysis of natural toxin of Solanum tuberosum L. via mass spectrometric imaging. International Journal of Biotechnology for Wellness Industries 5, 1-5.
  • Tanabe, N., Kuboyama, T., Kazuma, K., Konno, K., Tohda, C. (2016) The extract of roots of Sophora flavescens enhances the recovery of motor function by axonal growth in mice with a spinal cord injury. Front. Pharmacol. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00326.
  • Shi, Y. H., Zhu, S., Ge, Y.W., He, Y. M., Kazuma, K., Wang, Z., Yoshimatsu, K., Komatsu, K. (2015) Monoterpene derivatives with anti-allergic activity from red peony root, the root of Paeonia lactiflora. Fitoterapia 108, 55-61.
  • Yang，Z.-Y.，Kuboyama，T.，Kazuma，K.，Konno，K.，Tohda，C． (2015) Active Constituents from Drynaria fortunei Rhizomes on the Attenuation of Aβ25-35-Induced Axonal Atrophy．Journal of Natural Products 78, 2297-3200.
  • He, Y-M., Shu, Z., Ge, Y. W., Kazuma, K., Zou, K., Cai, S. Q., Komatsu, K. (2015) The anti-inflammatory secoiridoid glycosides from Gentianae Scabrae Radix: the root and rhizome of Gentiana scabra. Journal of Natural Medicines 69, 303-312.
  • Hiromoto, T., Honjo, E., Tamada, T., Noda, N., Kazuma, K., Suzuki, M., Blaber, M., Kuroki, R. (2015) Structural basis for acceptor-substrate recognition of UDP-glucose:anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransferase from Clitoria ternatea. Protein Science 24, 395-407.
  • Hikosaka, K., Ikutani, M., Shito, M., Kazuma, K., Gulshan, M., Nagai, Y., Takatsu, K., Konno, K., Tobe, K., Kanno, H., Nakagawa, T. (2014) Deficiency of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Adenylyltransferase 3 (Nmnat3) Causes Hemolytic Anemia by Altering the Glycolytic Flow in Mature Erythrocytes. Journal of Biological Chemistry 289, 14796-14811.
  • Hiromoto, T., Honjo, E., Tamada, T., Noda, N., Kazuma, K., Suzuki, M., Kuroki, R. (2013) Crystal structure of UDP-glucose:anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransferase from Clitoria ternatea. J. Synchrotron Rad. 20, 894-898.
  • Kazuma, K., Satake, M., Konno, K. (2013) A case of fatal aconite poisoning, and its background in food hygiene. Food Hygiene and Safety Science (Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi), 54(6), 419-425.
  • Momonoi, K., Tsuji, T., Kazuma, K., Yoshida, K. (2012) Blue Coloration and Iron Accumulation in Tulip Petals. Bioscience Biotechnology Biochemistry 76, 319-325.
  • Wang X. , Zhu H., Konno K., Tohda C., Kazuma K., Kuboyama T., Miyanaga S. (2012) Screening on fractions from some Chinese herbs for spinal cord injury. Chin. J. Exp. Tad. Med. Form. 18, 246-248. (in Chinese)
  • Kawada, S., Kazuma, K., Asahina, H., Tsuchida, T., Tominaga, N., Satake, M. (2012) Insectivorous small mammals in northern and middle Myanmar. Memoirs of the National Museum of Nature and Science, 48, 75-80.
  • Rangel, M., Cabrera, M. P. dos S., Kazuma, K., Ando, K., Wang, X., Kato, M., Nihei, K., Hirata, I. Y., Cross, T. J., Garcia, A. N., Faquim-Mauro, E. L., Franzolin, M. R., Huchino, H., Mori-Yasumoto, K., Sekita, S., Kadowaki, M., Satake, M., Konno, K. (2011) Chemical and biological characterization of four new linear cationic α-helical peptides from the venoms of two solitary eumenine wasps. Toxicon 57, 1081-1092.
  • Zaharenko, A.J., Picolo, G., Ferreira Jr., W.A., Murakami, T., Kazuma, K., Hashimoto, M., Cury, Y., de Freitas, J.C., Konno, K (2011) Bunodosine 391: an analgesic acylamino acid from the venom of the sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum. Journal of Natural Products 74, 378-382.
  • Kogawa, K., Kato, N., Kazuma, K., Noda, N., Suzuki, M. (2007) Purification and characterization of UDP-glucose:anthocyanin 3',5'-O-glucosyltransferase from Clitoria ternatea. Planta 226, 1501-1509.
  • Kogawa, K., Kazuma, K., Kato, N., Noda, N., Suzuki, M. (2007) Biosynthesis of malonylated flavonoid glycosides on the basis of malonyltransferase activity in the petals of Clitoria ternatea. Journal of Plant Physiology 164, 886-894.
  • Noda, N., Kanno, Y., Kato, N., Kazuma, K., Suzuki, M. (2004) Regulation of gene expression involved in flavonol and anthocyanin biosynthesis during petal development in lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) Physiologia Plantarum 122, 305-313.
  • Kazuma, K., Kogawa, K., Noda, N., Kato, K., Suzuki, M. (2004) Delphinidin 3-O-(6"-O-malonyl)-β-glucoside-3'-O-β-glucoside, a postulated intermediate in the biosynthesis of ternatin C5 in the blue petals of Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea). Chemistry & Biodiversity 1, 1762-1770.
  • Kazuma, K., Noda, N., Suzuki, M. (2003) Flavonoid composition related to petal color in different lines of Clitoria ternatea. Phytochemistry 64, 1133-1139.
  • Kazuma, K., Noda, N., Suzuki, M. (2003) Malonylated flavonol glycosides from the petals of Clitoria ternatea. Phytochemistry, 62, 229-237.
  • Kazuma, K., Takahashi, T., Sato, K., Takeuchi, H., Matsumoto, T., Okuno, T. (2000) Quinochalcones and flavonoids from fresh florets in different cultivars of Carthamus tinctorius L. Bioscience Biotechnology Biochemistry 64, 1588-1599.
  • Kazuma, K, Shirai, E., Wada, Mi., Umeo, K., Sato, A., Matsumoto, T., Okuno, T. (1995) Structure of Precarthamin, a biosynthetic precursor of carthamin. Bioscience Biotechnology Biochemistry 59, 1588-1590.
  • Kazuma, K., Kenmoku, H., Shinozaki, J. (2017) Benibana shikiso seigousei keiro no transcriptome kaiseki ni yoru kaimei (in Japanese; Disclosing biosynthsis of safflower pigments through transcriptomic analysis). Kagaku to Seibutsu (in Japanese), 55, 767-774.
  • Konno, K., Kazuma, K., Nihei, K. (2016) Peptide Toxins in Solitary Wasp Venoms. Toxins, 8, 114; doi:10.3390/toxins8040114.
  • Kazuma, K, Konno, K. (2013) Sansai to no gosyoku ni yoru yudoku syokubutu cyudku (in Japanese; Food poisoning due to accidental ingestion of poisonous plants similar to wild edible plants). Japanese Journal of Clinical Toxicology, 26, 97-101.
  • Okuno, T., Kazuma, K. (2000). Flavonoid constituents in the petals of Carthamus tinctorius: Structures of quinochalcones and flavonols and their biosynthetic pathway. Foods & Food Ingredients Journal of Japan, 189, 5-14.

Books

  • Kazuma, K. (2916) Authored several sections in "Omoshiro saiensu, kinousei yasai no kagaku (in Japanses)," Satake, M. (Ed.) Nikkan Kogyo Shinbun Sya (Tokyo, Japan), ISBN, 978-4-526-07569-8.
  • Kazuma, K. (2015) Authored several sections in "Standard Methods of Analysis in Food Safety Regulation, 2015,"the Japan Hygiene Asscociation, ISBN, 978-4889250718.
  • Kazuma, K. (2012) Authored and/or co-authored several web pages in "Shizen doku no risuku purofairu, koutou shokubutsu doku (in Japananese)." Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan （http://www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/syokuchu/poison/）.
  • Kazuma, K. (2012) Authored and/or co-authored several sections in "Nihon no yuudoku syokubutu, firudo besuto zukan 16 (in Japanese), Gakken, ISBN 978-4054052697.

Inventions

  • Kazuma, K., et al. (2009) Novel glucosyltransferase gene, JP4418865B2
  • Kazuma, K., et al. （2011）Novel acyltransferase gene, JP4853853B2, CN101292028B, US8110722B2
  • R&D of "Essen, " a non-Kampo crude drug product (2011)

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