IMPDH and lipid accumulation

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Inosine-5' Monophosphate Dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is an enzyme responsible for providing a form of energy to cells, so that they may undertake their correct functions. Recently, we have demonstrated that IMPDH also has a role in the formation of fat droplets within cells, when they are exposed to excessive nutrients. In mammals, excess consumed energy is stored as fat droplets within all cells. In fat cells, the energy is stored in very large droplets, and we see this as extra body fat. This is sometimes associated with an alteration in the hormone production of the cells, leading to problems such as diabetes. In other cells, the excess energy is stored as tiny fat droplets (lipid bodies) that can adversely affect the function of the cell. We have shown that blocking the action of IMPDH can interfere with the accumulation of fat in both fat cells and other types of cell. This suggests that IMPDH has an important role in the development of obesity and associated problems such as diabetes. In this study we aim to investigate in detail the role of IMPDH in the accumulation of fat droplets in cells. We will do this by looking at the effects of different forms of IMPDH in different cell types, including human fat cells. We will also study cells and animals with increased or decreased amounts of IMPDH, and investigate the effects of this on the development of increased fat stores and insulin resistance. These studies will increase our understanding of the role of IMPDH in the development of obesity, and may lead to identification of new avenues of treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes.