How the liver's protein clean-up system affects body iron
Novel role of endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation in iron metabolism
This work looks at whether a liver protein-quality control system that manages ceruloplasmin changes body iron levels for people with anemia or iron-overload conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238003 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team studies a liver cell 'cleanup' system called Sel1L-Hrd1 ERAD that clears misfolded proteins and helps control ceruloplasmin, a protein that regulates iron. They use proteomics screens and genetically modified mice to see how changes in this system change ceruloplasmin production and circulating iron. Early mouse experiments showed that removing Sel1L in liver cells raised blood ceruloplasmin and protected animals from iron-deficiency anemia. The researchers plan to link these laboratory findings to human conditions like aceruloplasminemia to see if the pathway could explain disease or offer new treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with aceruloplasminemia, unexplained organ iron accumulation, or unexplained iron-deficiency anemia would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose health problems are unrelated to iron metabolism are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, this work could identify new ways to prevent or treat iron disorders such as aceruloplasminemia, some anemias, or iron overload by targeting ER protein-quality control.
How similar studies have performed: Basic lab studies have previously linked ER-associated degradation to protein quality control and some animal work supports effects on ceruloplasmin, but moving these findings into human therapies is largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Shengyi — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Sun, Shengyi
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.