ALK7 signalling in fat distribution and cardiometabolic risk.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Deciphering the role of ALK7 in the regulation of fat distribution and cardiometabolic disease risk.
IRAS ID
348055
Contact name
Constantinos (Costas) Christodoulides
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
People with an 'apple' rather than a 'pear' shaped body are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary heart disease (CHD). However, scientists still do not fully understand how fat is deposited in the body. One promising lead is that individuals with rare DNA sequence variants in the ACVR1C and INHBE genes (found in fat cells and the liver, respectively) tend to have lower-body fat distribution and are less likely to develop T2D and CHD. These findings suggest that ACVR1C and INHBE might function as a receptor-ligand pair, indicating that the liver may communicate with fat cells to regulate fat storage.
To understand how these two genes modulate fat distribution and the risk of T2D and CHD, our study will explore the body shape, glucose, and fat metabolism in people with these differing INHBE and ACVR1C genes. Up to 15 participants with rare DNA sequence variants in these genes, and up to 30 control participants without these variants, will undergo detailed investigations. These investigations will include state-of-the-art techniques using infusions of ‘stable isotopes’ to measure how much fat is released by adipose tissue and how much glucose is produced by the liver and taken up by muscle.
Understanding how ACVR1C and INHBE regulate body fat distribution and susceptibility to T2D and CHD could help researchers develop new treatments for these conditions.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0153
Date of REC Opinion
19 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion