# Long Non-coding RNAs in the Regulation of Adipogenesis and Obesity

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2021 · $380,790

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Metabolic disturbances such as dyslipidemia, diabetes and obesity are associated with a number of
comorbid conditions including devastating forms of cardiovascular disease. Recently, the discovery of
an attractive group of molecules known as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has introduced a new
“catalog” of diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for cardiovascular risk mitigation. LncRNAs
participate in diverse biologic processes but their involvement to cardiometabolic disease is less well
explored. The objective of this project is to define the contributions and mechanisms of action of
lncRNAs in adipose tissue formation and function. Capitalizing on our recent discovery of lncRNAs
acting as responders to dietary cues and modulators of physiologic pathways with links to common
diseases, we hypothesize that transcriptional regulation by long non-coding RNAs in white adipocyte
tissue is essential for normal adipose tissue development. Reinforcing this premise our studies show
that loss of the lncRNA LeXis is associated with failure to suppress de novo cholesterogenesis in
adipocyte precursors and resistance to diet induced obesity. In aim1, we use a series of molecular,
cell biological, and novel animal models to extend our preliminary observations and test out
hypothesis defining the function of lncRNAs in adipose tissue. In aim2, we leverage recent technical
advances interrogating the interplay between transcription factors and chromatin to investigate new
mechanisms involved in metabolic control and spatial activation patterns of master adipogenic
transcription factors. Our studies are expected to shed fundamental insights into mechanisms
orchestrating adiposity and may offer new frontiers for drug development targeting obesity and
metabolic traits.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10163175
- **Project number:** 5R01DK118086-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Tamer Sallam
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $380,790
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10163175

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10163175, Long Non-coding RNAs in the Regulation of Adipogenesis and Obesity (5R01DK118086-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10163175. Licensed CC0.

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