Targeting the mitochondrial magnesium channel Mrs2 for obesity and fatty liver (NAFLD)
Official title: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential of blocking the mitochondrial Mg2+ channel Mrs2 in obesity and NAFLD
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11261069 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at whether blocking a mitochondrial magnesium channel called Mrs2 can lower liver fat and improve metabolism for people with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or fatty liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $524,931 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135179-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11261069 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease would be the likely eventual candidates for therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose liver disease is driven by alcohol, certain genetic metabolic disorders, or unrelated causes may not benefit from therapies targeting mitochondrial Mg2+ handling.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying a protein called Mrs2 that helps move magnesium into mitochondria and how changing its activity affects liver and fat tissue. In the lab they use genetic mouse models that lack Mrs2, along with cell studies, RNA sequencing, biochemistry, and whole-animal metabolism tests to see if blocking Mrs2 increases energy use and prevents liver fat. The team will map molecular pathways linking mitochondrial magnesium to energy production and fat breakdown. These are preclinical experiments aimed at finding targets that could eventually lead to new treatments for metabolic disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce liver fat and improve blood sugar control and energy balance in people with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or NAFLD.
How similar studies have gone: Early animal studies from the team showed that loss of Mrs2 in mice prevented liver fat and boosted mitochondrial activity, but translating this into safe human treatments is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muniswamy, Madesh — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Muniswamy, Madesh
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Blocking a specific mitochondrial channel to improve obesity and liver health
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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.