How nuclear PARP proteins control gene activity in fat and immune cells
The Role of Nuclear PARPs in Signal-Regulated Transcription
Researchers are looking at whether PARP enzymes in cell nuclei change how genes turn on and off in cells that become fat and in immune cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159409 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research looks at how enzymes called PARPs add ADP‑ribose tags to proteins inside the cell nucleus and how those tags change gene switches that affect fat cell development and immune cell behavior. Scientists will examine these chemical marks on histone proteins and how they interact with signal‑responsive transcription factors such as C/EBPβ using biochemical experiments, cell models, and genomic mapping. The team plans to map site‑specific ADP‑ribosylation events in preadipocytes and macrophages to see how they alter gene activity. Understanding these mechanisms may explain how gene control contributes to fat tissue function and inflammation that matter for metabolic health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with obesity or metabolic conditions who can donate adipose tissue or blood samples for laboratory and genomic studies.
Not a fit: People not affected by adipose or metabolic conditions, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment, are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new molecular targets that someday help prevent or treat obesity‑related inflammation and metabolic problems.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked PARP‑1 to DNA repair and gene control, but applying site‑specific ADP‑ribosylation mapping to adipogenesis and immune responses is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kraus, William Lee — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kraus, William Lee
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.