DCAF11/WDR23-dependent proteostasis mediates glucose and lipid handling
The incidence of diabetes and obesity increase as we age, but the etiology of these age-related conditions is not completely understood and there is a need to identify genetic markers and pathways that influence the diseased state. WDR23 is a substrate receptor of the Cul4-ubiquitin ligase complex and acts as a sophisticated regulator of cellular proteostasis. Dr. Duangjan's lab has developed a Wdr23(-/-) human HepG2 cell line, a Wdr23KO mouse model, and primary cell lines to utilize a multidisciplinary and multi-model approach to define the role of WDR23 on glucose and lipid homeostasis at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. This AFAR-supported project will identify the impact of WDR23 on glucose metabolism, which involves insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) proteostasis and insulin signaling pathway. WDR23 may be a new marker of metabolic diseases and target for development of therapeutics for diabetes.