Molecular controls of pituitary cell fate in adults
Official title: Molecular mechanisms of pituitary plasticity
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11345869 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how the adult pituitary gland changes which hormones it makes, aiming to uncover drivers that could help treat endocrine or cardiovascular conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $632,231 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK139476-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11345869 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or without pituitary-related conditions who are able to contribute human tissue samples or be represented in translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to tissue samples or those not involved in translational components may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how Musashi, a protein that controls mRNA translation, influences the fate of pituitary cells in adults and how this affects hormone production. Using human pituitary tissue and related models, the project will map how Musashi changes target messages to steer cell behavior. The work will look at gene activity, signaling, and epigenetic factors that shape plasticity in response to metabolic and reproductive needs. Findings could point to ways to support tissue regeneration or slow disease progression in cardiovascular or endocrine contexts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding pituitary plasticity could lead to new approaches for restoring hormonal balance and potentially influence cardiovascular health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows Musashi proteins influence stem cell fate in multiple tissues, suggesting this approach could yield meaningful insights in the pituitary.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Macnicol, Angus M — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Macnicol, Angus M
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.