# Formation and Function of Glycolytic Bodies in Hypoxia

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $463,628

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
A wide range of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules forms in response to a variety of cellular stress. An exciting
new paradigm of liquid-liquid phase transitions postulates that RNP granules phase-separate to create
organized subcellular compartments with discrete functions, ranging from mRNA storage to protein processing.
Diseases such as tumor formation and neurodegeneration have been linked to abnormal granule formation,
but further studies of these RNP complexes are necessary to uncover their biogenesis and physiological roles
and lead to potential therapeutic targets. We have recently shown that low oxygen (hypoxia) selectively
triggers the reorganization of core glycolytic enzymes into a “glycolytic body”, or G body, in yeast and human
cell culture. We established that G bodies function to promote glycolysis and cell survival in hypoxia, as well as
identified G body constituent proteins and the genes required for G body formation. Our evidence additionally
suggests that RNA serves an important role to preserve the integrity of G bodies. However, the mechanisms of
G body formation and function remain unknown. We hypothesize that G bodies are evolutionarily conserved
RNP granules that form via phase separation to facilitate glycolysis and fuel associated metabolic functions in
hypoxia. To test this hypothesis, we will further define the composition, biophysical properties, dynamics and
regulation of formation, and physiological roles of G bodies in yeast and mammalian cell culture. We will also
evaluate the role that RNA plays in G body formation and structural integrity and define the key signaling
events required for G body formation. Finally, we will investigate the function of G bodies in an innovative 3D
culture system as a model for solid tumor growth. The outcome of this proposal will define the importance of a
novel RNP granule and establish a robust system with which to study glycolysis in a disease-centered context.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10167731
- **Project number:** 5R01GM129301-04
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** John Kim
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $463,628
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10167731

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10167731, Formation and Function of Glycolytic Bodies in Hypoxia (5R01GM129301-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10167731. Licensed CC0.

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