Thursday, July 3, 2025 7/3/2025

Elucidating Molecular Mechanisms Linking Fructose to Cholesterol Metabolism

Award Number: K01DK128022
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2026

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Elucidating Molecular Mechanisms Linking Fructose to Cholesterol Metabolism - PROJECT SUMMARY Fructose consumption is not only a major risk factor for development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but also promotes hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in humans and rodents. Identification of the mechanisms linking NAFLD to cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains poorly understand. This proposal focuses on identifying the influence dietary fructose has on synthesis and metabolism of cholesterol. Using a mouse model of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, the candidate shows that fructose metabolism increases citrate, acetyl-CoA, and hepatic cholesterol levels. In addition, the candidate demonstrates fructose decreases the protein expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (Cpt1a), a mitochondrial fatty acid transport protein. Moreover, conditional CPT1a knockout mice exhibit similar lipid perturbations as mice fed fructose. Therefore, aim 1 utilizes dual stable isotope techniques coupled with NMR and mass spectrometry to quantify cholesterol synthesis and fructose-derived carbon enrichment into the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway in male and female mice. Livers from the mice will be used for acetyl-proteomics to delineate potential mechanisms linking fructose to cholesterol biosynthesis. Aim 2 determines how transcriptional regulation of Cpt1a alters fructose-induced suppression of fatty acid oxidation and enhanced cholesterol synthesis using both in-vitro and in-vivo approaches. The purpose of this aim is to uncover a previous unrecognized role of Cpt1a in coordinating the regulation of both lipid-signaling pathways (fatty acid oxidation and cholesterol synthesis) in response to fructose. Completion of these aims will yield mechanistic insight linking dietary sugar metabolism to hypercholesterolemia. The novelty of the proposed research is the comprehensive dual-stable isotope approach in conjunction with analytical techniques to measure cholesterol synthesis and fructose-derived carbon enrichment into the sterol synthesis pathway in the same cohort of animals. In addition, the proposed research reveals several innovative mechanisms that have yet to be explored, including acetylation of cholesterol synthesis enzymes and regulation of Cpt1a through transcriptional mechanisms. Strong collaborations among the Metabolomics Core at the University of Kentucky, Mass Spectrometry Core at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, and scientific advisory committee members ensure successful completion of the proposed research by the candidate. This research is complimented by a career development plan in which the candidate will learn new experimental methodology in stable isotope metabolomics, broaden his scientific network through attending workshops and conferences, and develop his communication skills so that he is poised to become an independent investigator. This K01 award will allow him to reach his long-term goals of establishing a well-funded laboratory studying dietary mechanisms in cardiometabolic disease.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $148,186 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	4	12/20/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$148,186
														Subtotal = $148,186

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $148,186 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	3	1/4/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$100,543
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	001	3	1/31/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$47,643
														Subtotal = $148,186

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $100,543 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE 109 KINKEAD HALL	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	2	12/6/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$100,543
														Subtotal = $100,543

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $102,043 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE 109 KINKEAD HALL	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	1	12/20/2021	NEW	$102,043
														Subtotal = $102,043

Grand Total All Awards = $498,958

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Elucidating Molecular Mechanisms Linking Fructose to Cholesterol Metabolism

Award Number: K01DK128022

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2026

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer