How kidneys use branched-chain amino acids for energy in tubular cells
Role of branched-chain amino acid catabolism in the proximal tubule
Researchers aim to boost how proximal tubule cells in the kidney break down branched‑chain amino acids to help protect people from acute kidney injury and its progression to chronic kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319848 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at the proximal tubule — the kidney cells most affected during acute kidney injury — and how they use branched‑chain amino acids (BCAAs) to feed energy-producing pathways. The team will combine cell and animal experiments with analysis of human kidney data and tissue to see whether reduced BCAA breakdown causes loss of cellular ATP and worse injury. They will test interventions that increase BCAA catabolism to see if mitochondrial function and cell survival improve and will study the transcriptional controls, such as KLF6, that turn these genes off during injury. Findings could point to new targets for therapies that protect tubule cells in AKI and slow progression to chronic kidney disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future trials based on this work would be adults experiencing acute kidney injury or people with chronic kidney disease at risk of worsening.
Not a fit: Patients with kidney problems driven primarily by obstruction, infection, or causes unrelated to proximal tubule energy metabolism may not benefit directly from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new ways to protect kidney cells during acute injury and reduce the chance of developing long‑term kidney disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related efforts that boosted fatty‑acid oxidation helped in animal AKI models but have not yet translated to patients, and targeting BCAA catabolism is a newer approach with limited prior clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Piret, Sian — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Piret, Sian
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.