Understanding the liver enzyme that controls blood sugar (G6PC1)
Structure and Mechanism of the Glucose-6-Phosphatase Catalytic Subunit 1
Researchers will map how the liver enzyme G6PC1 works to explain its role in raising blood sugar in diabetes and causing low blood sugar in glycogen storage disease type 1a.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195573 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have diabetes or GSD1a, this project aims to learn exactly how the liver enzyme G6PC1 performs its job at the molecular level. The team will use computer-predicted 3D models (like AlphaFold2) together with lab work to purify a stable mouse version of the enzyme from cells. They will apply biophysical techniques such as double electron-electron resonance (DEER), biochemical assays, and structural modeling to map active sites and the effects of disease-linked mutations. The goal is to connect specific structural changes to how the enzyme raises or lowers blood sugar.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with type 2 diabetes, uncontrolled fasting hyperglycemia, or glycogen storage disease type 1a who are interested in research on liver glucose regulation are most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients looking for an immediate treatment change or those without glucose-regulation disorders are unlikely to get direct benefits from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better knowledge of G6PC1’s structure could point to new drug targets to reduce excess liver glucose production in diabetes and inform treatments for GSD1a.
How similar studies have performed: Computational models for G6PC1 exist and membrane enzyme studies have succeeded elsewhere, but obtaining detailed experimental structures and mechanisms for G6PC1 is largely novel and still unproven.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Claxton, Derek P — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Claxton, Derek P
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.