Alcohol-related changes in protein acetylation and how they harm the liver
Official title: Alcohol-induced changes in protein acetylation: mechanisms and consequences
Funded at Catholic University of America · NIH-11391391 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how alcohol changes protein chemistry in liver cells and what that means for liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Catholic University of America NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2009 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $277,704 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA017626-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391391 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with alcoholic liver disease or at risk due to heavy alcohol use may ultimately benefit from insights gained.
✕Less likely to help
People with liver disease from causes other than alcohol may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers study how alcohol makes microtubules in liver cells abnormally acetylated, disrupting traffic inside cells and contributing to fat buildup in the liver. They use cell models, liver tissue slices, and animal studies to understand these processes and test whether calorie-restriction–like treatments can protect against injury. The work aims to connect molecular changes caused by alcohol to the development of alcoholic liver disease in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind alcoholic liver disease could lead to new strategies to prevent or mitigate liver injury in people who drink heavily.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows alcohol-induced changes in microtubule acetylation are linked to impaired protein movement and lipid droplet dynamics, supporting potential relevance in humans.
Where this research is happening
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Catholic University of America
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tuma, Pamela L. — Catholic University of America
- Study coordinator: Tuma, Pamela L.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.