How certain cell transport proteins move fatty acids into peroxisomes
Molecular basis of fatty acid transport by peroxisomal ABC transporters
Researchers will use biochemical and high-resolution imaging tools to learn how ABCD transport proteins move very-long-chain fatty acids, aiming to better understand disorders like X‑linked adrenoleukodystrophy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146365 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses purified proteins, lab-grown cells, and patient-derived mutations to watch how ABCD transporters pick up and move very-long-chain and branched fatty acids into peroxisomes. Scientists will combine biochemical tests, cell biology experiments, cryo-electron microscopy, and EPR spectroscopy to see transporter shapes and motions during transport. They will compare normal ABCD1 with disease-causing ABCD1 variants and with related ABCD2 and ABCD3 proteins to find what goes wrong in disease. The work focuses on molecular details that could explain lipid buildup and nerve damage seen in peroxisomal disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with X‑linked adrenoleukodystrophy or other peroxisomal fatty acid metabolism disorders, and individuals known to carry ABCD1/ABCD2/ABCD3 mutations, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with neurological or metabolic conditions unrelated to peroxisomal fatty acid transport are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new targets for treatments or diagnostics for X‑linked adrenoleukodystrophy and related peroxisomal lipid disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Related structural and biochemical work on other ABC transporters has yielded useful insights, but applying cryo-EM and EPR specifically to ABCD transporters and disease variants is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alam, Amer — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Alam, Amer
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.