How the liver protein Ube4A helps prevent fatty liver disease
Official title: Determining hepatocyte-specific mechanisms by which Ube4A regulates NAFLD/NASH
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11348721 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will look at how a liver protein called Ube4A helps liver cells survive stress in people with obesity-related fatty liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $514,813 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DK132162-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348721 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity-related nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are the group this research aims to help.
✕Less likely to help
People whose liver disease is caused mainly by viral hepatitis, heavy alcohol use, or unrelated genetic liver disorders may not benefit directly from these findings.
What this research studies
I have obesity-related fatty liver disease, and this project focuses on a liver protein called Ube4A that may help liver cells handle stress. The team will use lab-grown liver cells and mouse models plus molecular tools (including viral gene methods and biochemical assays) to study how Ube4A controls the unfolded protein response, DNA damage signaling, and cell survival. They will examine how Ube4A interacts with IP6K1 and ER-associated protein degradation pathways that are linked to NASH. The goal is to understand mechanisms that could point to new ways to protect liver cells from obesity-related injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to slow or prevent progression of fatty liver and NASH.
How similar studies have gone: Prior preclinical work has linked Ube4A/IP6K1 and stress-response pathways to metabolic dysfunction, but applying these findings specifically to NASH is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chakraborty, Anutosh — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Chakraborty, Anutosh
Related research
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Small blood particle signals and fatty liver in children and teens
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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.