# ASB4 in feeding regulation

> **NIH DK R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2026 · $607,612

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Common forms of human obesity have a polygenic genetic basis, highlighting the importance of understanding
different genetic variants in body weight regulation. Multiple Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have
linked Ankyrin Repeat and SOCS Box Containing 4 (ASB4) to human obesity, but how ASB4 regulates energy
homeostasis is not well understood. Our preliminary experiments show that ASB4 is expressed in mouse brain
regions that are crucial for feeding regulation. ASB4 deficiency leads to increased meal size and food intake
following a fast, and ASB4 is required for the anorectic effects of CalcR agonists or long-acting amylin
analogues. ASB4 deficiency also results in heightened consumption of dietary fat at the expense of dietary
carbohydrates when two diets are offered. These preliminary findings strongly suggest that ASB4 is important
for meal termination and food choice. In this application, we will determine the site of action and cellular
mechanism by which ASB4 controls meal termination. We will investigate if ASB4 engages the brain reward
system to regulate food choice. If successfully completed, this study will establish ASB4 as a pivotal regulator
of homeostatic and hedonic feeding. As ASB4 is highly conserved between mice and humans and is linked to
obesity by GWAS, this study will provide mechanistic insight into how ASB4 may regulate food intake in
humans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11386764
- **Project number:** 1R01DK147971-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Allison W Xu
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** DK
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $607,612
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2026-05-08T00:00:00 → 2030-01-31T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11386764

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11386764, ASB4 in feeding regulation (1R01DK147971-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-20 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11386764. Licensed CC0.

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