Understanding how a protein in fat cells affects insulin and fat loss
Official title: Elucidating the roles of adipocyte KAT8 in lipoatrophy and systemic insulin resistance
Funded at Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr · NIH-11171595 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to discover how a specific protein in our fat cells influences conditions like diabetes and fat loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $443,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135266-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11171595 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is relevant to adults aged 21 and older who are affected by or at risk for adult-onset diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, or conditions involving fat tissue changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention will not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
What this research studies
Our fat cells, called adipocytes, are crucial for storing fat, managing insulin, and overall metabolic health. When these cells don't work properly, it can lead to serious health issues like obesity and Type 2 diabetes. This research focuses on a protein called KAT8, which we believe plays an important role in how fat cells function. By learning more about KAT8, we hope to better understand why some people develop insulin resistance and conditions where fat tissue is lost.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat metabolic disorders like Type 2 diabetes and lipoatrophy by targeting specific processes in fat cells.
How similar studies have gone: While KAT8 has been studied in other cellular processes and cancers, its specific role in fat cells and metabolic health is largely new and unexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr
Baton Rouge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stephens, Jacqueline M — Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr
- Study coordinator: Stephens, Jacqueline M
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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.