# NNAT in metabolic regulation

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2022 · $400,449

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Obesity is associated with serious medical complications and responsible for a rising percentage of health care
costs in the United States. While most anti-obesity drugs in the market work by suppressing appetite,
increasing energy expenditure by stimulating thermogenesis is an alternative strategy. Humans and mice both
possess constitutively active and inducible thermogenic fat, commonly called brown and beige fat. While
Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1) has long been considered essential for non-shivering thermogenesis in adipose
tissues, recent studies have demonstrated UCP1-independent thermogenic mechanisms, and they may be
especially important in beige fat. We recently identified the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein
Nnat as a novel inhibitor of adipocyte thermogenesis and have shown that its effects on thermogenesis are
UCP1-independent. We hypothesize that Nnat in adipose tissue plays a key role in controlling thermogenesis
and glucose homeostasis. In Aim 1, we will characterize the regulation of systemic energy metabolism by
adipose tissue Nnat. In Aim 2, we will investigate the mechanistic basis of Nnat action and will examine its
interactions with the ER calcium pump SERCA and other possible ways that Nnat can impact thermogenesis.
These studies will produce new insights into the control of adipose tissue thermogenesis and potentially lead to
new strategies for anti-obesity therapy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10521829
- **Project number:** 1R01DK131144-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN C YOON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $400,449
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10521829

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10521829, NNAT in metabolic regulation (1R01DK131144-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10521829. Licensed CC0.

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