New ways to help insulin-producing cells in type 2 diabetes
The Diversity Outbred Diabetes Project
Researchers are exploring a gene and a drug that might help insulin-producing cells work better for people with type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291706 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have type 2 diabetes, researchers are studying a gene called Zfp148 that they found affects how well insulin-producing beta cells respond to nutrients. They deleted this gene in mice and saw better blood sugar control, and now will map which genes Zfp148 controls and how it works. The team also found an existing drug (an alpha-adrenergic blocker) that copies the gene-deletion pattern in cells and will test how that compound affects beta-cell function in lab and animal experiments. This work is done in a lab at the University of Wisconsin–Madison using mouse models and cell studies to understand mechanisms that could later guide human treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with type 2 diabetes who have declining insulin secretion or are thought to have beta-cell dysfunction would be the group most likely to benefit from therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: People with type 1 diabetes caused by autoimmune destruction of beta cells or those whose diabetes is driven purely by insulin resistance might not benefit directly from these beta-cell–focused approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new drug targets or repurposed medicines that protect or boost insulin-producing beta cells in type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior research has linked adrenergic signaling to insulin secretion, but targeting Zfp148 is a new finding so far demonstrated only in laboratory and animal models.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Attie, Alan D — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Attie, Alan D
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.