How NRF2 and FBP1 control liver metabolism
Official title: The NRF2-FBP1 crossregulatory loop and the control of healthy and diseased liver metabolism
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11457999 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether changes in two liver proteins, NRF2 and FBP1, help explain low blood sugar and fat buildup in the liver for people with metabolic liver problems or rare FBP1 deficiency.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $508,692 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DK133448-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457999 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with diagnosed FBP1 deficiency, unexplained recurrent hypoglycemia, or metabolic-related fatty liver disease would be the most directly relevant patient groups.
✕Less likely to help
People without liver metabolic problems or with unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers use genetically modified mice and molecular lab experiments to see how activating NRF2 or removing FBP1 changes liver sugar and fat handling. They follow the signaling steps that make one protein trigger the other’s breakdown, including growth-factor signaling, ERK activation, and protein ubiquitination. The team also studies how FBP1 affects AKT and GSK3 activity, which feeds back on NRF2 stability. Findings aim to link these molecular steps to symptoms seen in children with FBP1 deficiency and in conditions of liver fat accumulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, this could point to new drug targets or biomarkers to prevent hypoglycemia and fatty liver in people with metabolic liver disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Molecular studies of liver signaling have yielded useful targets before, but the specific NRF2–FBP1 cross-talk described here is a novel finding not yet turned into treatments.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karin, Michael — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Karin, Michael
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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.