Mitochondrial Biology - Understanding Pathways of Energy Regulation
Our focus is to understand the functional role of some new genes in the control of energy and metabolism. These include novel RNA-binding coregulator proteins that regulate nuclear receptor signaling activity, and which may play a role in the regulation of glucose uptake and energy balance. The cancer gene HLS5 will also be further probed to reveal its role in regulating thyroid hormone function, therefore, changing metabolic activity.
Outcomes:
- Characterisation of novel molecules regulating glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and mitochondrial biogenesis.
- Characterisation of one or more of these as potential biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets in diabetes/obesity.
- Demonstration that HLS5 regulates thyroid hormone function and, as a consequence, alters metabolic activity in the body.
- Identification of new RNA-binding molecules involved in mitochondrial biogenesis that may play a key role in generation of the diabetic phenotype.
Principal Investigator:
- Prof Peter Leedman - UWA, Centre for Medical Research
