Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2007

Mentor: Dr. Nicola Abate
Department: Center for Human Nutrition
Room number: V5.100
Mail Code: 9169
Phone number: 214-648-8367
E-mail: Nicola.Abate@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title:
"The study and Management of Cardiovascular Risk Factors"
"A Model of Insulin Resistance with ENPP1/PC1 over expression in Adipose Tissue".

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 0699-282

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 1029-06-02-1A

Project Type :Animal research.

Brief Description of Project:

A Model of Insulin Resistance with ENPP1/PC1 over expression in Adipose Tissue (APN#1029-06-02-1A):
ENPP1 is a glycoprotein that is located in the plasma membrane of most cell types and interacts with the insulin receptor. A mutation in the ENPP1 gene caused a reduced response to insulin, which predisposes to diabetes. The ENPP1 mutation increases ENPP1 activity and inhibits insulin action. ENPP1 is an important regulator of insulin action in fat tissues. We propose to test the hypothesis by generating mice with increased ENPP1 expression in fat tissues. We except that, the transgenic mice will have reduced insulin response in the fat, insulin resistance to peripheral glucose disposal and predisposition to diabetes. The student will be involved in breeding of the transgenic mice colony, in vivo measurements of glucose and lipid metabolism, measurement of body fat content.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students: None.

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