p53–CARF interaction and its role in fatty liver and insulin resistance
Official title: Impact of inverse relationship between TP53 and CARF on the development of hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance
Funded at Charles R. Drew University of Med & Sci · NIH-11325435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Seeing if changes in two proteins, p53 and CARF, control fat buildup in the liver and insulin resistance in people with obesity or at risk for type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Charles R. Drew University of Med & Sci NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $144,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153632-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11325435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), insulin resistance, or early type 2 diabetes would be the most relevant candidates for related future studies or sample donation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without metabolic liver disease (for example those with genetic liver disorders or advanced cirrhosis from other causes) or those needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research.
What this research studies
We will study how the proteins p53 and CARF work together to cause fat to build up in the liver and to disturb insulin signaling. The team will manipulate CARF levels in liver cells and in high-fat diet mouse models and measure liver fat, insulin pathway signals, and the glucose-making gene PCK1. Methods include gene silencing, adding back CARF, and molecular assays (like CUT&RUN and protein/RNA analyses) to see how CARF controls PCK1 and glucose output. The goal is to link these molecular changes to the development of NAFLD and insulin resistance so new treatments can be designed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify CARF as a new target to prevent or treat fatty liver and improve insulin resistance in people with obesity or early type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory work in cells and high-fat diet mice showed that lowering CARF increases liver fat and that adding CARF can reduce fat deposition, but translating this into human treatments remains novel.
Where this research is happening
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Charles R. Drew University of Med & Sci
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hasan, Kamrul M — Charles R. Drew University of Med & Sci
- Study coordinator: Hasan, Kamrul M
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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.