Molecular Biology and Molecular Metabolism
Supported by CIHR, we are focusing on assessing metabolic functions of the Wnt signaling pathway. This pathway plays a fundamental role during embryogenesis, while its components, including Wnt ligands, receptors and effectors are abundantly expressed in metabolic organs during adulthood. Furthermore, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and other tools have shown that certain components of this pathway, such as the Wnt co-receptor LRP-5 and the key effector molecule TCF7L2 are risk genes of hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Utilizing transgenic mouse models generated by his team and elsewhere, the Jin lab revealed that Wnt pathway effectors mediate functions of metabolic hormones and growth factors including GLP-1, insulin, IGF-1 and others. More recently, his team showed that in the liver, Wnt pathway effector beta-cat/TCF mediates metabolic functions of the sex hormone estradiol in attenuated dietary challenge induced body weight gain and hyperlipidemia. Studies in the Jin lab have enriched our knowledge of the function of classical metabolic hormones and metabolic functions of the sex hormone estradiol, and added to our understanding of the patho-physiology of metabolic diseases, including those in female subjects. Other research activities in the Jin lab include extra-pancreatic functions of the incretin hormone GLP-1, function of the neurotransmitter GABA, and polyphenol dietary intervention in the treatment and prevention of metabolic disorders.