PAT4's role in insulin signaling and GLUT4 movement in fat cells
Official title: A basic mechanism contributing to human insulin resistance and diabetes: role of the essential amino acid sensor SLC36A4 in GLUT4 trafficking in adipocytes
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11363425 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in adults with type 2 diabetes or related insulin resistance will explore how an amino acid transporter, PAT4, helps insulin move glucose transporters to the cell surface in fat cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $423,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK144473-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11363425 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with adult-onset diabetes or insulin resistance who might benefit from improved adipose tissue glucose uptake.
✕Less likely to help
People without insulin resistance or diabetes may not directly benefit from this mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how insulin signals help fat cells move GLUT4 to the cell membrane to take up sugar. It will examine the amino acid transporter PAT4 (SLC36A4) and its location with GLUT4, and test whether PAT4 is necessary for insulin-stimulated GLUT4 movement. Using genetic and biochemical methods in cultured fat cells, the team will map the pathway linking PAT4 to GLUT4 translocation and overall glucose handling. The work aims to clarify a potential feedforward loop where PAT4 supports insulin’s own effect on glucose uptake. If successful, findings could inform new strategies to improve glucose control in people with insulin resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding PAT4’s role could lead to new targets for improving insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in adipose tissue.
How similar studies have gone: Precedent studies show that similar transporter–glucose uptake mechanisms exist, but the PAT4-GLUT4 link is novel in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgraw, Timothy E — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Mcgraw, Timothy E
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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.