Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Understanding Phosphatidylserine (PS) as a Signaling Moiety during Differentiation

Award Number: R01DK144822
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/15/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2031

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Understanding Phosphatidylserine (PS) as a Signaling Moiety during Differentiation - PROJECT ABSTRACT – Understanding phosphatidylserine (PS) as a signaling moiety during differentiation: Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a negatively charged phospholipid that is asymmetrically maintained on the inner (cytoplasmic) leaflet of the plasma membrane. Cells achieve this PS asymmetry via the balance of action between scramblases, which randomize PS between inner and outer leaflets, and flippases that transfer PS back to the inner leaflet. When PS is exposed on the outer leaflet, this can serve as a signal for inter-cellular communication; the best- described example is during apoptosis when PS exposure on the outer leaflet allows recognition of dying cells by phagocytes (via their PS receptors). Our laboratory has been focusing on apoptotic cell removal (efferocytosis) for >20 years, during which we have detailed exposure of PS on apoptotic cells, and recognition by phagocytes and signaling via PS receptors. Interestingly, PS can also be exposed in specific instances on live cells (e.g. live sperm, with relevance to sperm:egg fusion). Recently, while investigating cell death in the inflamed adipose tissue, we made a serendipitous and exciting series of observations that form the premise for this proposal. Specifically, we find that PS can be exposed on a fraction of ‘live’ preadipocytes when they achieve confluence, and that this PS exposure can influence adipocyte differentiation. In this R01 application, we test the hypothesis that PS exposure and PS-dependent signaling can contribute to cellular differentiation. In Aim 1, we will test the hypothesis that PS exposure on preadipocytes is a regulated event and will address the role of the scramblase TMEM16F in PS exposure via a combination of orthogonal in vitro and in vivo studies supported by preliminary studies. Our data mining suggests that Ano6 (which encodes TMEM16F) is also altered in human obesity, and we will analyze human preadipocytes from healthy and obese human adipose tissues. In Aim 2, we will address the involvement of specific PS receptors for PS sensing and test possible downstream mediators in modulating differentiation. Collectively, we expect these studies to provide insights into new molecular aspects of PS-dependent intercellular communication in live cells that can provide cues for differentiation/adipogenesis.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $610,628 )
2026	2026	WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1 BROOKINGS DR	SAINT LOUIS	MO	63130	SAINT LOUIS	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	1	5/12/2026	NEW	$610,628
														Subtotal = $610,628

Grand Total All Awards = $610,628

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Understanding Phosphatidylserine (PS) as a Signaling Moiety during Differentiation

Award Number: R01DK144822

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/15/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2031

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer