How nutrients control cell protein production
Translational control by nutrients
Looking at how nutrient signals control protein production in eye cells to help people with dry eye and other conditions linked to dehydration and inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11337555 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work studies how cells change which proteins they make when they face dehydration and high salt, a response important in dry eye, diabetes complications, and some cancers. The researchers will use human corneal epithelial cells in the lab and map translation changes across the whole set of expressed genes. They will focus on nutrient-sensing regulators, especially the amino acid transporter SNAT2, to see how these parts help cells survive osmotic stress. The findings aim to point toward ways to protect tissues that lose tolerance to osmotic changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with dry eye syndrome, diabetes-related eye problems, or other conditions caused by tissue dehydration or osmotic stress would be most relevant to follow or contribute to this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to tissue dehydration or osmotic stress are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal targets for new treatments that protect the eye and other tissues from damage caused by dehydration and inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown cells use osmolytes and transporters like SNAT2 to adapt to osmotic stress, but applying a transcriptome-wide view of translation control in human eye cells is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hatzoglou, Maria — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Hatzoglou, Maria
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.