Unc119b and blood sugar control
Role and mechanism of Unc119b in the regulation of glucose homeostasis
This project tests whether targeting the protein Unc119b, including with a compound called C59, can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247041 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using a live-cell screening method to find compounds that help insulin move the glucose transporter GLUT4 to the cell surface. They discovered a compound called C59 that improves insulin-driven GLUT4 movement in cells and lowers blood sugar in obese, insulin-resistant mice without activating PPARγ. Proteome-wide testing showed C59 binds the protein Unc119b, and removing Unc119b prevents the compound's effect; mice lacking Unc119b are also protected from diet-induced glucose intolerance. The team aims to understand how Unc119b controls insulin sensitivity and whether targeting it could become a new treatment approach for type 2 diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes or documented insulin resistance who are interested in therapies to improve insulin sensitivity would be the most relevant candidates for future human studies.
Not a fit: People with type 1 diabetes or high blood sugar due to causes unrelated to insulin resistance are unlikely to benefit from therapies that target Unc119b.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new insulin-sensitizing treatment that lowers blood sugar without the cardiovascular side effects linked to current PPARγ-activating drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Existing insulin-sensitizing drugs like TZDs have improved insulin response but caused PPARγ-related heart risks, while C59/Unc119b targeting is a novel approach that worked in mouse models but has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sebag, Julien Albert — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Sebag, Julien Albert
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.