How lipase enzymes switch themselves off by changing shape
Self-regulation of Lipases by Changes to Quaternary Structure
Researchers are looking at how enzymes that break down fats change shape to stay inactive in cells, which may help people with pancreatitis, metabolic syndrome, and lipid storage diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| 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-11325789 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work aims to see how fat‑breaking enzymes pack into inactive forms inside storage vesicles so they do not damage tissues. Scientists will use high-resolution cryo-electron tomography to image enzyme structures inside vesicles and will make a conformation-specific nanobody to tell inactive and active forms apart using microscopy. They will also study pancreatic triacylglycerol lipase filaments in the lab to understand how this enzyme is stored and released. The findings come from lab-based protein and cell‑derived samples and may guide future patient-focused studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatitis, metabolic syndrome, or inherited lipid storage disorders who are willing to provide blood or tissue samples for research or to be followed in related translational studies would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients without disorders of lipid metabolism or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to prevent enzyme-driven tissue damage in pancreatitis and suggest targets for treating metabolic and lipid storage disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown that lipoprotein lipase can form inactive oligomers, but using cryo-ET and conformation-specific nanobodies to study pancreatic lipase storage is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gunn, Kathryn Harris — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Gunn, Kathryn Harris
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.