Peroxiredoxin 6: protecting cells from membrane damage
The Biology of Peroxiredoxin 6
This project looks at how the enzyme peroxiredoxin 6 helps repair damaged cell fats and prevents a form of cell death linked to lung injury, diabetes complications, and brain injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143696 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will make precise changes to the Prdx6 enzyme in cells and mice to see how its different activities (an antioxidant activity, a fat-cutting enzyme, and a fat-repairing enzyme) affect cell survival. They will trigger ferroptosis, a type of cell death caused by buildup of damaged fats, using methods like blocking cystine uptake and exposing tissues to low-oxygen/reoxygenation or oxygen toxicity. Experiments combine cultured cells and mouse models to trace how Prdx6 repairs peroxidized membrane fats and whether that reduces tissue damage. The team aims to map the key steps that could be targeted by future therapies to protect lungs, brain, muscle, or other organs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with acute lung injury, type 2 diabetes complications, stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other conditions linked to lipid-driven cell damage would be most relevant to follow this research.
Not a fit: Because this is laboratory research using mice and cells, patients should not expect direct or immediate clinical benefit from the project itself.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets for treatments that protect tissues from damage in conditions like acute lung injury, stroke, and diabetes complications.
How similar studies have performed: Prior cell and animal studies indicate Prdx6 can limit lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis, but turning those findings into human treatments is still early and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Berkeley, United States
- University of California Berkeley — Berkeley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vazquez Medina, Jose P — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Vazquez Medina, Jose P
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.