Investigating muscle disorders linked to purine metabolism deficiencies

Myopathy in purine metabolic disorders: a model for adenylosuccinate synthase deficiency

NIH-funded research Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11138864

This study is looking at how a lack of a specific enzyme called ADSS affects muscle health, especially in people with progressive myopathy, by using tiny worms to learn more about the genetic and energy changes that happen when this enzyme isn't working properly, which could help find new treatments in the future.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (University Park, United States)
Project IDNIH-11138864 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to understand how deficiencies in the enzyme adenylosuccinate synthase (ADSS) lead to muscle disorders, specifically progressive myopathy. By developing a model using the organism C. elegans, researchers will explore the genetic and metabolic changes associated with ADSS deficiency. The study will focus on creating genetic tools to analyze the function of the ADSS enzyme and its impact on muscle function and energy metabolism. This approach could uncover new insights into the mechanisms of muscle dysfunction and pave the way for potential therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with myopathy linked to adenylosuccinate synthase deficiency or related purine metabolic disorders.

Not a fit: Patients with myopathy not associated with purine metabolism or those with other unrelated muscle disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from muscle disorders related to purine metabolism.

How similar studies have performed: While research on purine metabolism is ongoing, the specific approach of using C. elegans to model ADSS deficiency is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

University Park, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.