Overview

• The University of Pennsylvania study identifies PPP1R3B as a genetic switch controlling whether the liver stores energy as glycogen or triglycerides.
• Enhanced PPP1R3B activity promotes glycogen storage, while reduced activity shifts energy storage toward fat, affecting glucose and lipid metabolism.
• The research builds on prior genomic studies linking PPP1R3B mutations to increased risks of type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.
• The findings offer potential for precision medicine, including genetically tailored nutrition and therapies for metabolic disorders.
• The NIH-funded study integrates in vivo and in vitro models to uncover PPP1R3B’s role in systemic energy regulation, with future research exploring diet–gene interactions.