Obesity Food treatment (KB-31-001-025)

The occurrence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are two strongly correlated disorders and the number of patients is increasing worldwide. There is a clear correlation between nutritional habits and the occurrence of obesity and T2DM. It has been shown that various G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in e.g. adipose tissue, liver, muscles, pancreatic islets, immune cells and the central nervous system are involved. This study of the interaction between food ligands and GPCRs is therefore very relevant. However, for many GPCRs no ligands have been discovered and their functions are still unknown. Similarly, the importance of dimerization of GPCRs is not known.

In this project we will establish the interactions between receptor complexes and food related ligands using a set of GPCRs, which play a key role in obesity, and subsequent T2DM. Two complementary methods will be set up to measure direct ligand binding to various synthetic GPCRs (complexes) that are produced and isolated from transiently transfected HEK293 cells. Furthermore, ligands will also be tested in in vitro assays using in vitro cultured pancreas islet, macrophages and dendritic cells. The obtained in vitro results will be validated an applied to reduce obesity and subsequent systemic disease.