How tiny antennae on brain cells affect appetite in ciliopathy-related obesity
Obesity in ciliopathies: How neuronal primary cilia control appetite
This work looks at whether tiny antennae on brain cells (primary cilia) and the MC4R protein control appetite in people with ciliopathies and some forms of severe obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159512 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are following up on findings that a key appetite-regulating protein (MC4R) works at tiny antennae on brain cells called primary cilia. Using genetic and molecular tools and laboratory models, they will map how MC4R and its partner MRAP2 get to cilia, how ligands affect that placement, and how cilia convert MC4R signals into changes in appetite. The team will also probe the role of ciliary adenylyl cyclase signaling, which earlier work suggests can drive weight gain when disrupted. The goal is to understand the non-synaptic cilia-based communication that helps set long-term energy balance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with genetic ciliopathies or early-onset severe obesity linked to MC4R or related ciliary genes would be the most directly relevant group for this work.
Not a fit: People whose obesity is due to lifestyle factors or unrelated metabolic causes may not directly benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new drug targets or strategies to treat obesity caused by ciliopathies and some MC4R-related forms of severe obesity.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work, including the investigators' own studies, showed MC4R localizes to cilia and that disrupting ciliary signaling can cause obesity, so this project builds on promising preclinical results.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vaisse, Christian — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Vaisse, Christian
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.