# GLUCAGON REGULATION BY A NOVEL BROWN ADIPOSE FACTOR

> **NIH NIH K08** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $160,871

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
This proposal aims to develop the applicant into an independent physician-scientist in the field of diabetes and
metabolism. The principal investigator Dr. Jing Hughes has undergone PhD training in the basic biological
sciences and completed clinical training in internal medicine and the endocrinology subspecialty. The proposed
5-year career development plan will build on Dr. Hughes's experiences in endocrinology and provide her with
further expertise in the design and conduct of basic diabetes research. Dr. Hughes's long-term goal is to
establish an independent laboratory dedicated to studying islet biology, with a goal to discover new endocrine
and paracrine pathways modulating islet hormone secretion. The central guidance and training environment for
this project will be provided by the mentor, Dr. David W. Piston, who is the Chair of Cell Biology at Washington
University, also a recognized leader in islet physiology and imaging expert. Dr. Piston has an excellent track
record for training physician-scientists, especially at the incipient stages of their careers. In addition to Dr.
Piston's mentoring, Dr. Hughes will be able to take advantage of the rich resources available at Washington
University, including scientific as well as career guidance from her faculty advisory committee and
collaborators.
The research set forth herein seeks to address how brown fat restores glucose balance by modulating
glucagon secretion in diabetic animals. In the past few years, the Piston laboratory has revolutionized thinking
about islet physiology by demonstrating new and unexpected roles in diabetes modulation by alpha cell
hormones. We now examine the mechanism by which factors secreted by brown adipose tissue act on alpha
cells to regulate glucagon production, a phenomenon that has never before been investigated. Dr. Hughes will
use a proteomics strategy to identify the brown adipose factor and test the hypothesis that its effect on
glucagon suppression is mediated through GPCRs on islet cells. The proposed studies have the potential to
provide proof-of-principle for novel translational treatments and reduce suffering from diabetes. This K08
mentored research award will provide the necessary resources for Dr. Hughes to complete these studies and
to develop the necessary intellectual foundation and skill set as an independent diabetes investigator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9838207
- **Project number:** 5K08DK115795-03
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jing Wang Hughes
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $160,871
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-12-15 → 2022-12-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9838207

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9838207, GLUCAGON REGULATION BY A NOVEL BROWN ADIPOSE FACTOR (5K08DK115795-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9838207. Licensed CC0.

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