Investigating a key enzyme that regulates bacterial metabolism
Official title: Structure and function of a metabolic pacemaker in bacterial cell membrane
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-10866491 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special enzyme in bacteria helps them grow and survive, especially when they face infections or antibiotics, and it aims to learn more about how this enzyme works in both making important cell components and managing energy use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $319,800 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM143418-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10866491 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from bacterial infections or those at risk of antibiotic-resistant infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with viral infections or non-bacterial related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how a specific enzyme, phosphatidylglycerol phosphatase PgpA, regulates glycolysis in bacteria. By studying the structure and function of PgpA, the researchers aim to uncover its dual role in both phospholipid biosynthesis and as a metabolic regulator. This could provide insights into how bacteria maintain their growth and survival, particularly in the context of infections and antibiotic resistance. The approach involves detailed biochemical assays and mutational analyses to explore the enzyme's regulatory mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for combating bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in targeting metabolic pathways in bacteria, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zheng, Lei — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Zheng, Lei
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Time-dependent membrane proteins in circadian brain cells
A research project will map how membrane proteins in brain clock neurons change over time and may reveal targets to support healthy sleep, metabolism, and behavior.
-
Understanding how human heart pacemaker cells develop
Scientists are studying how the human heart’s natural pacemaker forms, which could lead to better treatments for rhythm problems.
-
Understanding how specialized heart pacemaker cells drive rhythm and dysfunction
This NIH grant explores how distinct heart pacemaker cell subtypes contribute to normal rhythm and sinus node dysfunction, with the goal of guiding better treatments for heart rhythm problems.
-
Biopacemakers for aging hearts using stem-cell pacemaker cells
Aims to help older patients with a faulty heart rhythm by using lab-made pacemaker cells grown from patients’ own stem cells.
-
Magnesium transporter and heart pacemaker: a primate model of arrhythmias
A physician-scientist at Stanford is studying how a magnesium transporter affects the heart's natural pacemaker rhythm in primate-like models to better understand human arrhythmias.
-
How heart pacemakers sense stretch and speed up
A study at the University of Washington will explore how PIEZO channels in the heart’s pacemaker help the heart beat faster when the heart experiences stretch.
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.