Kenta Hara
Showed amino acids signal through mTOR to control protein synthesis, opening the nutrient-sensing side of the field
Postdoc, MGH/Harvard (Joseph Avruch lab) · Researcher, Kobe University Biosignal Research Center (Kazuyoshi Yonezawa lab) · Faculty, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine · physician, Kita Harima Medical Center, Hyogo, Japan (most recent traceable publication, 2021)
Department of Diabetes & Endocrinology, Kita Harima Medical Center ↗
In 1998 (HAR1998), Hara showed pulling amino acids from growth medium silences p70 S6K and 4E-BP1 even with insulin present — one of the first papers linking amino acids to mTOR. In 2002 he co-discovered Raptor (HARA2002), tying that finding to the scaffold protein executing it.
Returned to Japan/Kobe University, co-authoring further mTOR papers through the mid-2000s (incl. with Shinya Yamanaka's group, 2004). Later moved into clinical academic medicine (Internal & Geriatric Medicine, then Diabetes & Endocrinology).
Most recent traceable publication (2021, leucine/cardioprotection) lists him at Kita Harima Medical Center, a regional hospital — suggesting his career settled into clinical practice.
Milestones in the Atlas
| Year | Evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | M | Amino acid sufficiency and mTOR regulate p70 S6 kinase and eIF-4E BP1 through a common effector mechanism HAR1998 Amino acid sufficiency and mTOR regulate p70 S6K and 4E-BP1 through a shared mechanism. |
| 2002 | M | Raptor, a binding partner of target of rapamycin (TOR), mediates TOR action HARA2002 Lead investigator on the founding Raptor paper. |