How cells change protein production during stress

Translational control of stress response signaling

NIH-funded research New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11170640

Researchers are exploring how cells turn down or boost protein-making during stress to help people with conditions like Charcot‑Marie‑Tooth disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University School of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11170640 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project studies how cells control the production of proteins when they face stress, focusing on a pathway called the Integrated Stress Response that is linked to some forms of Charcot‑Marie‑Tooth disease. The team uses fruit flies (Drosophila) and genetic tools to model how mutations in tRNA synthetases cause ribosome stalling and disrupt protein translation. They will track how stress‑responsive messages get made when general protein production is suppressed. The goal is to map the molecular steps that allow certain protective proteins to be produced despite stress.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with Charcot‑Marie‑Tooth disease—especially those with known tRNA‑synthetase mutations or who can provide genetic samples—are the most relevant to this research.

Not a fit: Because this is basic lab research in fruit flies, patients seeking immediate treatments are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal molecular targets to correct abnormal protein production and help guide future treatments for some forms of Charcot‑Marie‑Tooth disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have connected ISR dysfunction and tRNA‑synthetase mutations to neurodegeneration, but moving from those findings to human therapies is still at an early, experimental stage.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Charcot Marie DisorderCharcot Marie Tooth Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.