Gm4951 gene and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Official title: The Role of Gm4951 in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11248812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the Gm4951 gene affect how much fat builds up in the liver for people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $360,800 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK130959-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11248812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or those at high risk for NAFLD would be the most relevant candidates to follow results or take part in related future studies.
✕Less likely to help
People whose liver disease is caused primarily by alcohol or by unrelated liver disorders are unlikely to benefit from this gene-focused work.
What this research studies
This project uses mice that develop a human-like form of NAFLD when fed a high-fat diet to study a liver gene called Gm4951. The team found two mutations in Gm4951 that cause large increases in liver fat without weight gain and will use gene knockouts and overexpression in liver cells and mice to understand the gene's role. They will measure liver fat, examine genes involved in fat burning, and use mass spectrometry to identify proteins that interact with Gm4951. By mapping these molecular steps, the work aims to reveal targets for future therapies to reduce liver fat and prevent worsening disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce liver fat and lower the risk of cirrhosis in people with NAFLD.
How similar studies have gone: Other preclinical studies have shown that specific genes can change liver fat and metabolism, but targeting Gm4951 is a novel approach that has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Zhao — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Zhao
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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.