The role of Dnmt3a in skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and exercise performance
Sona Kang, Professor
Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2025.
DNA methylation is a reversible epigenetic mark involving the covalent transfer of a methyl group to the C-5 position of a cytosine residue and is mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). DNMT1 maintains DNA methylation patterns during DNA replication, while DNMT3A and DNMT3B are involved in establishing de novo patterns of DNA methylation. Previously, we identified DNMT3A as a key epigenetic determinant of obesity-associated insulin resistance in adipose tissue. Ablation of Dnmt3a in vivo conferred protection from diet-induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance without accompanying changes in body weight or adiposity. In addition to adipose, we observed increased expression of skeletal muscle Dnmt3a in obesity. Thus, we will investigate the functional role of Dnmt3a in skeletal muscle biology, including insulin sensitivity and exercise performance and gain the mechanistic insight.
Role: The students are will get to learn/assist some of molecular biology work (e.g. cloning and western blotting analysis) and help with various metabolic studies such as insulin sensitivity test and exercise performance using genetic mouse models.
Qualifications: Students with high levels of responsibility and enthusiasm in research.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Sneha Damal Villivalam, Graduate Student
Hours: to be negotiated
Related website: https://nst.berkeley.edu/users/sona-kang
Biological & Health Sciences