# Molecular genetics of signaling lipids

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE · 2024 · $385,266

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Signaling lipids, such as steroids, terpenoids, and eicosanoids, regulate diverse physiological processes in
animals, including development, reproduction, and immune responses. Understanding modes of action of such
lipid-derived signaling molecules, therefore, is critical for ensuring and promoting healthy development and
well-being in humans. However, in contrast to proteinaceous signaling molecules such as peptide hormones
and cytokines, the power of modern molecular genetics has not been fully utilized for signaling lipid research,
as they are not directly encoded by genes. In the past several years, it has been demonstrated that the insect
steroid hormone ecdysone requires membrane transporters for its entry into target cells, challenging the
prevailing dogma in endocrinology that lipophilic hormones can simply diffuse across the plasma membrane.
As exemplified by this study, there are huge knowledge gaps regarding how signaling lipids function in vivo,
particularly concerning their transmembrane transport machineries. This project will utilize fruit fly genetics to
reveal uncharacterized aspects of signaling pathways mediated by lipid-derived molecules. The project will
focus on three major signaling lipids in insects, namely ecdysone, juvenile hormone, and eicosanoids, to better
understand their modes of action. Successful completion of this project is expected not just to broaden our
understanding of the functions of signaling lipids in this important model insect species, but also to provide an
unprecedented example of a novel type of signaling lipid research and may inspire many researchers in the
relevant field.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10842819
- **Project number:** 1R35GM153331-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE
- **Principal Investigator:** Naoki Yamanaka
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $385,266
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-04-01 → 2029-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10842819

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10842819, Molecular genetics of signaling lipids (1R35GM153331-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10842819. Licensed CC0.

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