Grant: Operating Grant

Triacylglycerol (TG, generally referred to as fat) is the most concentrated form of energy storage available for mammals. Excessive fat storage is manifested as obesity, which is a major health problem in Canada. Increased fat storage also augments secretion of lipoproteins carrying bad cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) into blood stream. High fat levels thus contribute to development of atherosclerosis and heart disease and stroke. Therefore, there is substantial pharmacological interest in enzymes that control TG metabolism in tissues. We have characterized a protein, named Es-x, that plays a role in the intracellular fat metabolism. Our objective is to introduce more of this protein into the liver in animal models and study the effect of this protein on lipid metabolism (fat metabolism in particular). We also plan to investigate lipid metabolism in an animal model in which the protein has been genetically deleted. The research proposed in this application will yield better understanding of how fat metabolism is regulated. The proposed research could become important in designing new therapeutic approaches for decreasing fat synthesis and/or secretion.