How a cell tagging process called neddylation keeps adult fat tissue healthy
Novel Posttranslational Modifications in Adipose Biology
This project looks at how a cell tagging process called neddylation helps adult fat tissue stay healthy and protect against insulin resistance and heart-related problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325814 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I would learn how researchers are exploring a biological tag (NEDD8) and the enzymes that attach it to proteins to see how that affects fat cell health. They use lab-grown fat cells and animal models to watch what happens when neddylation is blocked or when key targets like CUL3 are removed. The team is especially focused on how these changes affect mitochondria, the cell's energy spots, and whether that leads to fat loss or dysfunction. Finding important steps could point to ways to keep fat tissue working well and prevent metabolic complications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity, unexplained loss of body fat, insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome would be the most likely candidates to benefit or to provide samples in related human studies.
Not a fit: People without metabolic or adipose-related conditions, and children under 21, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that protect or restore healthy fat tissue to reduce insulin resistance and lower heart disease risk.
How similar studies have performed: Early animal and cell experiments showed that blocking neddylation or removing NAE1 leads to adipose loss and mitochondrial problems, but translating these findings to human treatments remains novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Weiqin — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Chen, Weiqin
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 below.