Tomosyn‑1 and how it controls insulin release from the pancreas
The Role of Tomosyn-1 in Regulating Insulin Secretion from Pancreatic beta-cells
This project looks at whether changing levels or activity of tomosyn‑1 in insulin‑producing cells can help people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes make more insulin.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11305631 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study tomosyn‑1, a protein that binds syntaxin and can block the fusion of insulin granules with the cell membrane, using a mix of mouse experiments and analyses of human islet tissue. They will reduce or alter tomosyn‑1 in beta cells to see if insulin secretion and glucose clearance improve in mice, and compare protein levels and modifications in islets from obese or diabetic humans. Molecular assays will examine phosphorylation sites and signaling pathways that change tomosyn‑1 function. The goal is to identify ways to lower tomosyn‑1 activity or abundance so beta cells release more insulin in impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes who might donate islet tissue, provide clinical samples, or enroll in future trials testing therapies that enhance beta‑cell insulin release.
Not a fit: People with type 1 diabetes who have little or no remaining beta‑cell function are unlikely to benefit from approaches that increase insulin secretion from existing beta cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that boost a person’s own insulin secretion to help prevent or treat prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human islet studies indicate that changing tomosyn‑1 levels alters insulin secretion, but translating these findings into human treatments remains novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhatnagar, Sushant — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Bhatnagar, Sushant
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.