How alcohol changes protein acetylation in the liver
Official title: Alcohol-induced changes in protein acetylation: mechanisms and consequences
Funded at Catholic University of America · NIH-11127560 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether alcohol-driven chemical changes on liver proteins block the cell's transport system and cause fatty liver, and whether supplements that mimic calorie restriction might protect people with alcohol-related liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Catholic University of America NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2009 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $277,704 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA017626-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127560 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a history of heavy alcohol use or a diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease, including alcoholic fatty liver or early alcoholic hepatitis, would be most relevant to this research.
✕Less likely to help
People whose liver disease is not caused by alcohol (for example viral hepatitis, autoimmune liver disease, or inherited metabolic liver disorders) may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
From the patient's point of view, researchers are studying how alcohol alters chemical tags (acetylation) on liver proteins and how those changes disrupt the cell's internal transport highways. They use liver cells, liver slice samples, animal models that drink alcohol, and samples of human liver tissue to follow these changes and see how they affect organelles like peroxisomes and the formation of fat in the liver. The team will compare the effects of two kinds of protein changes—acetylation and acetaldehyde attachment—on the movement of proteins and lipids inside liver cells. They will also test whether compounds that act like calorie restriction can prevent the damage caused by alcohol-related protein modifications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or reduce alcohol-related fatty liver by restoring normal protein movement or by using protective supplements.
How similar studies have gone: Laboratory and animal studies have previously linked alcohol to increased protein acetylation and trafficking problems, but applying calorie-restriction-like treatments to prevent this in people is largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Catholic University of America
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tuma, Pamela L. — Catholic University of America
- Study coordinator: Tuma, Pamela L.
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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.