Understanding how a specific protein modification affects heart enlargement and stress.
Official title: Determining the role of Rac1 palmitoylation in cardiac hypertrophy and oxidative stress
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10999301 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a protein called Rac1 and how a specific change to it might affect heart problems like heart enlargement and stress, with the hope of finding new ways to treat heart disease that could help patients in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship 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 start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $41,334 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HL165680-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10999301 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cardiac hypertrophy or related cardiovascular diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiac related conditions or those without signs of cardiac hypertrophy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a protein called Rac1 and its modification known as palmitoylation in the context of heart diseases, particularly cardiac hypertrophy and oxidative stress. By examining how Rac1 is activated and targeted to cell membranes, the study aims to uncover new mechanisms that contribute to heart enlargement and failure. The approach includes both genetic and small molecule strategies to manipulate Rac1's palmitoylation in pre-clinical models, which could lead to novel therapeutic targets for treating heart conditions. Patients may benefit from insights gained that could lead to new treatments for heart disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating heart diseases, potentially improving outcomes for patients with cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of palmitoylation in heart disease is relatively untested, similar approaches targeting protein modifications have shown success in other disease models.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Teuber, James Patrick — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Teuber, James Patrick
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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.