Ano4's role in body weight and glucose balance
Official title: Ano4 and Metabolic Health
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11402435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientists at the University of South Florida are studying how a brain ion channel called Ano4 in the area postrema influences food intake, body weight, and blood sugar in mice, to better understand obesity in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $530,652 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DK139583-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with obesity or metabolic health concerns whom future therapies might target via brain pathways, or people who could contribute to related human genetic studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without obesity or metabolic issues may not directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a brain region that controls feeding and how Ano4 neurons affect energy and glucose balance. The researchers will use models that increase or decrease Ano4 activity to see effects on eating, rewards, and long-term weight and glucose regulation. They will also edit Ano4 specifically in area postrema neurons to study direct causes of any changes in physiology, and create a humanized Ano4 mouse to model obesity-associated genetic changes. Overall, the work aims to connect Ano4 function to obesity-related biology and metabolic health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform new approaches to preventing or treating obesity and related metabolic conditions by targeting brain pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked Ano4 to neuronal activity and feeding behavior in animal models, with growing evidence that human ANO4 variants are associated with obesity.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Yong — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Xu, Yong
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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.