Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor: a novel theraputic agent for the prevention of muscle insulin resistance

Funding Activity

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Funded Activity Summary

In 1995 leptin was discovered and scientists world-wide hoped that this was the great panacea in the treatment of obesity related disorders. Alas, from 1995-1997 the identification of a novel cytokine inducible compound termed suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) that negatively regulated leptin signalling and lead to leptin resistance, quashing hopes for a viable anti-obesogenic drug. Recently, however, work from our group has demonstrated that the neuropoietic cytokine, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), can act in an anti-obesogenic fashion in a manner similar to leptin. However, unlike leptin, when we place rodents on a high fat diet, the effects of CNTF persist and override induction SOCS proteins. This project will examine the biochemical pathways that allow the actions of CNTF to persist in the presence of diet-induced obesity. This is of major significance because in completing this work, the potential for the development of peripheral tissue drug targets for the treatment of obesity related diseases are both tangible and realistic.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2006

End Date: 01-01-2008

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $602,673.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Cell Metabolism

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

cytokines | diabetes | insulin action | insulin resistance | obesity | protein kinases | signal transduction | type 2 diabetes