title: Nobuhiko Katunuma: an outstanding scientist in the field of proteolysis and warm-hearted 'Kendo Fighter' biochemist.
abstract: Professor Nobuhiko Katunuma is well known for his outstanding contribution to the understanding of proteolysis in general and cysteine proteinases and their inhibitors in mammals. In fact, he is a world pioneer in the field. In 1963, he started his highly successful scientific career as a Professor at the Institute for Enzyme Research, the University of Tokushima. During the initial 30 years of his career, he was interested in vitamin B6 metabolism and discovered the acceleration of turnover rates of pyridoxal enzyme in apoprotein formation. After this period, his interest expanded to lysosomal cystein proteinases and their endogenous inhibitors. After determining the crystal structure of human cathepsin B, he generated a series of chemically synthesized specific inhibitors of cathepsins. These inhibitors are currently used throughout the world and some of them have been applied therapeutically in various diseases. During his career and even at present, Professor Katunuma has been studying Biochemistry in Medicine and also practicing to become a 'Kendo sword fencing Fighter'.
authors.affiliation: Division of Enzyme Chemistry, Institute for Enzyme Research, The University of Tokushima, Kuramotocho 3-18-15, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan. kido@ier.tokushima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kido
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishidoh
mesh_terms: D001671:Biochemistry / Q000266:history*; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D007564:Japan; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases