Project Details
Projekt
Adipocyte-Specific Deletion of Gfod1 and Its Impact on Metabolic Health
Applicant
Sontje Krupka
Subject Area
Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism
Term
since 2026
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 579261496
The aim of this project is to investigate the physiological role of the poorly characterized protein Glucose-Fructose Oxidoreductase Domain Containing 1 (GFOD1) in adipose tissue. Initial evidence suggests that GFOD1 is regulated in adipocytes under metabolic stress and may function as a modulatory factor at the intersection of adipocyte activity and inflammation. While its structure resembles that of a known enzyme from bacteria, GFOD1 has no confirmed enzymatic activity and is therefore classified as a pseudoenzyme. Using an adipocyte-specific Gfod1 knockout mouse model, this study will comprehensively characterize the impact of GFOD1 on metabolic health under both obesogenic and non-obesogenic conditions. This includes the assessment of systemic metabolic parameters such as glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, as well as indirect calorimetry in metabolic cages to monitor energy expenditure, substrate utilization, and activity. In parallel, the project will investigate in vivo molecular and cellular alterations in adipose tissue, focusing on adipocyte metabolism, differentiation, and inflammatory signaling in response to GFOD1 deletion. To elucidate these changes, a range of omics technologies (e.g., bulk and spatial transcriptomics) will be applied and integrated using a multi-omics approach. This systems-level strategy will enable the identification of signaling pathways and regulatory networks affected by the loss of GFOD1. The project aims to generate fundamental insights into the role of GFOD1 in adipocyte biology and metabolic dysfunction, thereby providing a solid foundation for future translational research into obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
DFG Programme
WBP Fellowship
International Connection
Sweden
