Submitted by Sona Kang on
Adipose tissue is a critical metabolic and endocrine organ that regulates insulin sensitivity, with adipokines playing a crucial role in this process. Identifying and characterizing novel adipokines is vital for understanding adipose tissue dysfunction and metabolic disorders, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for obesity-related complications, such as insulin resistance. This projects aims to elucidate the physiological role and underlying mechanism of a novel adipokine identified in our studies in metabolic homeostasis and determine its efficacy in reversing insulin resistance.
During our published studies on DNMT3A function in adipose tissue insulin sensitivity, we identified Protein X as a candidate (de-identified for confidentiality) that may mediate enhanced insulin sensitivity in adipocyte-specific Dnmt3a deficiency.. Our preliminary findings suggest this novel adipokine promotes adipose and systemic insulin sensitivity. We will pursue metabolic studies to establish the physiological role of this protein in the regulation of insulin sensitivity. This will include studies on how adipose levels of this protein are suppressed in obesity and what role it plays in regulating insulin sensitivity using in vitro and in vivo gain/loss-of-function models. We will also pursue mechanistic studies to understand the underlying mechanistic basis of how this protein regulates adipose and systemic metabolism.
Our studies will provide new insights into the cellular and organismal regulation of metabolic homeostasis and the pathogenesis of obesity-related insulin resistance, with potential therapeutic implications for type 2 diabetes.
Student researchers are required to do wet lab research under guidance of post-doctoral mentor(s).
We seek students who have high level of motivation and responsibility.