How a zinc‑carrying protein helps keep the brain balanced
Official title: Maintenance of brain homeostasis by an ancient metallochaperone
Funded at University of Rhode Island · NIH-11462601 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how a protein called ZNG1 moves zinc in the brain and why that matters for people with zinc imbalance or related neurological problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kingston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $247,633 |
| NIH project number | 4R00GM151477-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11462601 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with documented zinc deficiency or neurological symptoms that doctors suspect are linked to metal imbalance would be the most relevant group for future related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to zinc biology or those seeking an immediate therapy are unlikely to get direct benefit from these basic laboratory studies.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are studying a protein called ZNG1 that hands zinc to other proteins to keep brain cells working properly. They will use laboratory cells and animal models to watch where ZNG1 sends zinc, identify the partner proteins it supports, and see how losing ZNG1 affects brain development and behavior. The team will test whether restoring ZNG1 function or zinc delivery can fix the problems they observe. Results may point to biological markers or targets for future human-focused tests.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to detect or treat neurological problems caused by zinc imbalance.
How similar studies have gone: Basic research has shown metallochaperones guide metal delivery in cells, but identifying a vertebrate zinc metallochaperone (ZNG1) and its role in the brain is a newly reported finding.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murdoch, Caitlin Cynthia — University of Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Murdoch, Caitlin Cynthia
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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.