Current Research Interests

Dr. Singh 's current research interests are in the general area of cellular lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. The work is aimed primarily at understanding the mechanisms regulating cholesterol and triglyceride accumulation in cells. We utilize a variety of techniques from cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Current research projects focus on the Acyl-CoA synthetase family enzymes, which play important roles in lipid and fatty acid metabolism. Currently, the cellular mechanisms that regulate the hepatic expression of ACSLs under either physiological or pathological conditions remain largely unexplored. Thus, we are examining all aspects of the biology of ACSLs family in hepatic lipid metabolism, including its mechanisms of action in hepatic steatosis and NASH and its regulation by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs).

Exploring better understanding of lipid regulatory effects of obeticholic acid (OCA), an FXR agonist in preclinical setting by using different animal models.

Recent Publications:

Sen P, Kan CFK, Singh AB, Rius M, Kraemer FB, Sztul E, Liu J. Identification of p115 as a novel ACSL4 interacting protein and its role in regulating ACSL4 degradation. J Proteomics, 2020 Oct 30;229:103926.

Singh AB, Liu J. Berberine decreases plasma triglyceride levels and upregulates hepatic TRIB1 in LDLR wild type mice and in LDLR deficient mice. Sci Rep. 2019 Oct 30;9(1):15641. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-52253-y.

Dong B, Singh AB, Guo GL, Young M, Liu J. Activation of FXR by obeticholic acid induces hepatic gene expression of SR-BI through a novel mechanism of transcriptional synergy with the nuclear receptor LXR. Int J Mol Med. 2019 Mar 18. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4136. PubMed PMID: 30896855.

Singh AB, Kan CFK, Kraemer FB, Sobel RA, Liu J. Liver-specific knockdown of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 reveals its key role in VLDL-TG metabolism and phospholipid synthesis in mice fed a high-fat diet. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Feb 5. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00503.2018. PubMed PMID: 30721098.

Singh AB, Dong B, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Liu J. Identification of a novel function of hepatic long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase-1 (ACSL1) in bile acid synthesis and its regulation by bile acid-activated farnesoid X receptor. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids. 2019 Mar;1864(3):358-371. doi: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2018.12.012. PubMed PMID: 30580099.

Singh AB, Dong B, Kraemer FB, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Liu J. Farnesoid X Receptor Activation by Obeticholic Acid Elevates Liver Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Expression by mRNA Stabilization and Reduces Plasma Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2018 Oct;38(10):2448-2459. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.118.311122. PubMed PMID: 30354208.

Dong B, Singh AB, Shende VR, Liu J. Hepatic HNF1 transcription factors control the induction of PCSK9 mediated by rosuvastatin in normolipidemic hamsters. Int J Mol Med. 2017 Mar;39(3):749-756. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.2879. PubMed PMID: 28204827.

Singh AB, Liu J. Identification of Hepatic Lysophosphatidylcholine Acyltransferase 3 as a Novel Target Gene Regulated By Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor δ , J Biol Chem. 2017 Jan 20;292(3):884-897. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M116.743575. Epub 2016 Dec 2, PubMed PMID: 27913621.

Conference Presentations:

Singh AB, Dong Bin, Kraemer FB, Liu, J. Farnesoid X receptor activation by obeticholic acid reduces plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol in mice by upregulating hepatic LDL receptor via a post-transcriptional mechanism, Deuel Conference on Lipids, Coronado, California, March 6-9, 2018.

Singh AB, Kan CF, Liu J. Liver-specific knockdown of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 disturbed glucose and phospholipid metabolic pathways leading to insulin resistance in mice fed a high-fat diet, Deuel Conference on Lipids, Monterey, California, March 7-10, 2017.

Dong B, Singh AB, Guo GL, Young M, Liu J. Transcriptional integration of SR-BI gene expression by the nuclear receptors FXR and LXR via intron binding, Deuel Conference on Lipids, Monterey, California, March 7-10, 2017.