How the liver enzyme MATα1 and its partners affect alcohol-related liver damage
Methionine Adenosyltransferase α1 and Its Interactome in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease
Researchers are looking at how changes in the liver enzyme MATα1 and its interacting proteins affect liver cells in people with alcohol-related liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11391155 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project examines changes to the MATα1 enzyme in livers affected by alcohol, including where the enzyme is located inside cells and how chemical tags change its behavior. Scientists use human liver samples and laboratory models to study how MATα1 interacts with proteins like PIN1 and CYP2E1 and how those interactions alter mitochondrial and nuclear function. They analyze biochemical modifications such as phosphorylation and sumoylation and test how these changes influence enzyme targeting and stability. The goal is to map the MATα1 'interactome'—the set of proteins that bind to it—and understand how these relationships drive disease processes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with alcohol-associated liver disease who are willing to provide clinical samples (for example, liver biopsy tissue) or participate in related specimen-donation efforts would be appropriate candidates.
Not a fit: People without alcohol-related liver disease or those who cannot or will not consent to sample donation or clinic visits are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets to help restore normal MATα1 function and potentially slow or reverse alcohol-related liver damage.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier studies have linked reduced MAT1A/MATα1 to alcohol-related liver disease and shown related effects in animal models, but the specific post-translational changes and interactions targeted here are a newer area of study.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Shelly Chi-Loo — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Lu, Shelly Chi-Loo
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.