Sensory receptors are seven transmembrane domain G protein-coupled chemoreceptors (GPCRs) that govern one?s sensation and interpretation of their surrounding world. These receptors, that include olfactory receptors (ORs), taste receptors (TRs), opsins, and other understudied sensory GPCRs (GPRs), are expressed throughout the body where they help to regulate diverse physiological functions. In work funded by a K01 grant (DK106400), we found that one of these receptors, Olfr1393, is expressed in a variety of tissues including the kidney, liver, and small intestine where it contributes to the regulation of glucose reabsorption and the progression of diabetes. To identify additional sensory receptors that may also modulate metabolic function, we screened the liver, the largest metabolic organ in the body, using qPCR gene expression array cards. To date, we have found a total of 86 sensory receptors expressed in murine liver, and have narrowed down the list to 13 ?highly expressed? receptors.
The aim of this grant is to completely characterize these receptors. To do so, we must understand where they are found (both at the cellular and subcellular level) and identify their ligand profile. The data acquired from this R03 proposal will uncover promising new leads that will assist us in determining the functions that these sensory receptors have in both health and disease.

Public Health Relevance

Sensory receptors govern one?s interpretation of the surrounding world by modulating smell, taste, and vision. It is now quite clear that these same receptors are expressed throughout the body where they make important contributions to physiological processes. In this proposal, we aim to characterize the newly identified receptors in the liver by determining where they are expressed and what they sense in order to uncover novel functions in health and disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03DK123546-02
Application #
10093039
Study Section
Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases D Subcommittee (DDK)
Program Officer
Rankin, Tracy L
Project Start
2020-02-01
Project End
2022-01-31
Budget Start
2021-02-01
Budget End
2022-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Georgetown University
Department
Social Sciences
Type
Sch Allied Health Professions
DUNS #
049515844
City
Washington
State
DC
Country
United States
Zip Code
20057