Protein acylation changes when mitochondria can't make enough energy
Acylations: a novel pathway in the response to mitochondrial energy dysfunction
This project looks at whether chemical tags on proteins called acylations change in heart cells when mitochondria fail, to help people with energy-related heart and degenerative conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231271 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses a specially engineered mouse model where a mitochondrial phosphate carrier (SLC25A3) is turned off in adult heart cells to mimic mitochondrial energy failure. Surprisingly, these hearts show little cell death or fibrosis but have large increases in mitochondria-specific protein acylations such as acetylation and malonylation. Researchers will measure these acylation changes, study the sirtuin enzymes that remove them, and test how these modifications reshape cellular responses to low energy. The goal is to identify molecular signals that could be targeted to protect high-energy tissues like the heart.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with mitochondrial disorders, energy-deficient cardiomyopathies, or age-related conditions affecting high-energy tissues would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions do not involve mitochondrial energy dysfunction (for example, purely structural congenital heart defects or unrelated autoimmune diseases) are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new molecular targets to protect heart and other high-energy tissues from mitochondrial energy failure.
How similar studies have performed: Some laboratory and cell-based studies have linked protein acetylation to mitochondrial function, but applying these findings in vivo to heart energy failure and to other acylation types is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwong, Jennifer Q. — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Kwong, Jennifer Q.
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.