# Determine the role of a monocarboxylate transporter in metabolism and intestinal motility

> **NIH DK F31** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2026 · $34,272

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) mediate the transport of key metabolic intermediates, such as lactate,
urate, and pyruvate, across cellular membranes. Despite their importance in metabolic homeostasis and their
implication in a range of diseases—including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration—the MCT
family remains poorly understood. Novel approaches are needed to study the role of MCTs in physiology and
disease. MCTs are highly conserved in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans is a highly tractable
genetic model, and its defined anatomy, simple diet, and optical transparency offers several advantages for
studying conserved molecular and physiological processes. Through a genetic screen for mutants with
defecation defects, I found that a point mutation in slcf-1 causes a shortened defecation cycle. slcf-1 is expressed
in the intestine and regulates intestinal calcium waves (ICWs) that drive the defecation motor program (DMP).
These findings implicate a novel role for MCTs, metabolism and Ca²⁺ homeostasis. slcf-1 shares homology with
MCT9, which has been implicated in hyperuricemia and can contribute to cardiovascular disease, gout, and renal
cell carcinoma. The overarching goal of this project is to define the role of slcf-1 in intestinal Ca2+ dynamics and
metabolism. In Aim 1, I will analyze how mutations in slcf-1 affect Ca²⁺ waves. I will quantify ICW properties,
such as intervals and rise and fall times, perform tissue-specific rescue, and examine SLCF-1::GFP localization.
In Aim 2, I will determine SLCF-1 substrates and how SLCF-1 is dynamically regulated using HEK293T transport
assays and mutant slcf-1 promotor constructs. Finally, in Aim 3, I will investigate the metabolic consequences of
slcf-1 loss, assessing mitochondrial morphology, activity, and stress, alongside broader metabolic pathway
alterations. These studies will provide greater insight into how conserved monocarboxylate transporters connect
metabolis

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11318133
- **Project number:** 1F31DK145217-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Rebekka Hannah Anderson
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** DK
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $34,272
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2026-03-31T00:00:00 → 2029-03-30T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11318133

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11318133, Determine the role of a monocarboxylate transporter in metabolism and intestinal motility (1F31DK145217-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-09 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11318133. Licensed CC0.

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