MG53 helps muscle repair in ALS and may slow weakness
Official title: Multifaceted role of MG53 in alleviating neuromuscular function decline in ALS
Funded at University of Texas Arlington · NIH-11362182 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to help people with ALS by studying how a protein called MG53 protects muscle membranes and supports the connection between nerves and muscles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Arlington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Arlington, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $616,988 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS129219-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11362182 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults diagnosed with ALS who may be eligible for future trials or samples related to muscle repair and MG53 pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for future MG53-related interventions or those with unrelated muscular conditions may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
ALS weakens both nerves and muscles, and this project explores how muscle membrane repair and MG53 function affect disease progression. Researchers will study how oxidative stress and mitochondria impact MG53 and the muscle’s ability to repair after injury, using ALS models. The work focuses on translating these findings toward therapies that could preserve muscle strength and breathing ability in ALS patients. The study builds on prior evidence that MG53 helps repair damaged muscle membranes and that this process may be disrupted in ALS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new strategies to maintain muscle function and respiratory capacity in people with ALS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest MG53 and membrane repair pathways play a role in muscle health, supporting a potentially beneficial approach for ALS, though human translation is ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Arlington
Arlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Jingsong — University of Texas Arlington
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Jingsong
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.