How acetylation affects RNA-splicing decisions
Official title: Determining the role of lysine acetylation in alternative splicing regulation
Funded at California State University Fullerton · NIH-11379511 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how chemical changes on RNA-binding proteins influence how our cells decide which RNA pieces to keep or skip, which can affect diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State University Fullerton NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fullerton, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $142,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM159628-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11379511 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with diseases linked to misregulated splicing, including certain cancers and neurodegenerative disorders, could benefit from future therapies arising from this mechanistic work.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefits may not occur within the grant period since this is a mechanistic study, not a clinical trial.
What this research studies
Researchers will study the protein PTBP1 to understand how adding acetyl groups changes its interaction with RNA and other proteins, and how this alters alternative splicing. Using biochemical assays and binding studies, the project aims to map how acetylation changes PTBP1’s behavior in the spliceosome assembly. The findings could reveal new ways to target harmful splicing patterns in disease, laying groundwork for future therapies. The work is focused on human biology and leverages understanding of splicing regulation that is relevant to human conditions. Results could inform diagnostic or therapeutic strategies for diseases where splicing goes awry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A clearer picture of how acetylation controls splicing could lead to new targets for treating neurodegenerative diseases and cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that acetylation affects RNA-binding proteins and splicing, supporting the plausibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: M Keppetipola, Niroshika a — California State University Fullerton
- Study coordinator: M Keppetipola, Niroshika a
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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.