Drosophila model to understand how lipoprotein receptors control Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms
Official title: Drosophila vitellogenic oocytes as an in vivo model to dissect the regulatory mechanism for low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11455060 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in fruit flies aims to uncover how lipid receptors like LRP1 and LDLR control processes linked to Alzheimer’s disease, which could reveal new paths for treatment or prevention for people with AD risk factors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $421,225 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG098442-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11455060 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease who carry APOE4 or have a family history of AD, potentially benefiting from future targeted therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without AD risk factors or APOE4 may not directly benefit from this specific basic-science effort.
What this research studies
This project uses Drosophila oocytes as an in vivo model to study the regulatory mechanisms of LDL receptor family proteins in the context of Alzheimer's disease. By focusing on APOE4-related lipid metabolism and amyloid beta production, researchers hope to map how these receptors influence disease pathways. The effort combines genetic and molecular approaches to reveal how receptor trafficking and signaling affect AD pathology, with potential implications for human therapies. Results from this model could guide future studies in humans and help identify targets for preventing or slowing AD progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new targets in lipid receptor pathways that might be translated into therapies to reduce Alzheimer’s risk or slow disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Similar receptor-regulation work in mammalian systems has advanced understanding of AD, supporting the potential for translation, but the exact Drosophila model is novel in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Sheng — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Sheng
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.