Makoto Sasaki
Papers
1
Total Citations
62
H-Index
1
About
Makoto Sasaki is a leading figure in dermatological research, with a primary focus on the molecular architecture of the skin and the mechanisms underlying autoimmune blistering diseases. His most significant contribution is the discovery and characterization of epiplakin, a novel member of the plakin family of cytolinker proteins. In his landmark 2001 study, Sasaki identified epiplakin as a 450-kDa human epidermal autoantigen, initially detected through its reaction with serum from a patient suffering from a subepidermal blistering disease. Through meticulous molecular cloning, he revealed that epiplakin is a massive 552-kDa protein composed of 5,065 amino acids, establishing it as a unique and critical component of the epidermal cytoskeleton. This foundational work, which has garnered 62 citations, not only expanded the known family of plakin proteins but also provided crucial insight into the autoimmune targets that can compromise skin integrity. Sasaki’s research has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of how structural proteins maintain tissue resilience and how their disruption leads to pathology, making his contributions essential reading for students and researchers in cell biology and dermatology.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1