How newborn hearts switch their energy use
Epigenetic regulation of the metabolic shift in mammalian perinatal hearts
This work looks at whether a gene-control protein called USP16 helps newborn hearts change their energy use after birth, which could help babies with inherited heart muscle problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309659 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using mouse models to follow how newborn hearts shift their metabolism when a baby goes from womb to world. They focus on an epigenetic mark (H2AK119Ub) and a deubiquitinase protein called USP16 that can turn genes on by removing that mark. The team found that removing USP16 in heart muscle cells causes newborn mice to die with severe heart problems and discovered a partner protein, NRF1, that links USP16 to energy-control genes. The goal is to trace the molecular steps from those gene-control changes to the metabolic switch and eventually apply the findings to human inborn cardiomyopathies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal future candidates would be newborns or infants with suspected or confirmed inborn (genetic) cardiomyopathies or congenital heart muscle defects, and families interested in translational trials developed from these findings.
Not a fit: People with adult-onset heart failure from non-genetic causes or unrelated heart rhythm problems are less likely to benefit directly from this early-stage, gene-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new targets for treating or preventing inherited heart muscle disease in newborns and infants.
How similar studies have performed: Epigenetic control of heart development is an emerging research area with some supportive basic science, but the specific role of USP16 and its interaction with NRF1 in newborn heart metabolism is a new finding.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiao, Kai — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Jiao, Kai
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.