# Metabolic Regulation of Mitochondrial Function

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2024 · $380,249

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Every cell must constantly monitor its energy level and appropriately adjust energy generation
rates, based on metabolic demand to maintain homeostasis. Continuous fulfillment of this energy
demand depends on sufficient nutrient supply, sensing nutrient availability, metabolizing and
converting into chemical energy. In eukaryotic cells energy, in the form of ATP, is mainly produced
by mitochondria. Not only how much total ATP is generated, local energy level is also important
for cells to carry out critical functions, such as neuronal activity, cell migration, tumor cell invasion,
wound healing, and immunity. Intracellular transport and positioning of mitochondria shape
spatiotemporal heterogeneity in ATP distribution. My overall goal is to understand the molecular
pathways regulating the interplay between cellular metabolism, mitochondrial positioning and
function. The estimated mitochondrial protein number is ~1,300 for mammalian cells. Post-
translational modifications can further magnify the functional diversity of proteins. Metabolic flux-
sensitive post-translational modification, O-GlcNAcylation, uniquely couple nutrient status to
cellular metabolism and signaling pathways. While my research will be focused on O-
GlcNAcylation-dependent regulation of mitochondrial functions and inter-organelle
communications, systematic analysis of metabolic enzyme functions within the intracellular space
will add extra dimension to our understanding of metabolic pathways. Our experiments will
decipher the metabolic biochemistry and metabolite kinetics within the context of cellular
architecture. My interdisciplinary research program is poised to reveal fundamental insights into
the mechanisms that orchestrate the nutrient and energy supply, and pinpoint the underlying
causes of energy impairments that lead to diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10909014
- **Project number:** 5R35GM128823-07
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Gulcin Pekkurnaz
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $380,249
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-05 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10909014

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10909014, Metabolic Regulation of Mitochondrial Function (5R35GM128823-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10909014. Licensed CC0.

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