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Review
. 2025 Sep;125(9):2383-2400.
doi: 10.1007/s00421-025-05852-9. Epub 2025 Jun 23.

SERCA blockade as a treatment strategy for obesity

Suha Al-Naimi  1   2 , Rizwan Qaisar  3   4   5
Affiliations
Review

SERCA blockade as a treatment strategy for obesity

Suha Al-Naimi et al. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2025 Sep.

Abstract

Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) pump is essential for maintaining calcium homeostasis in various cell types, including adipocytes. The SERCA function is closely associated with metabolic health, as the dysregulation of SERCA is implicated in the development of obesity. Thus, regulating SERCA may be clinically relevant for treating obesity and related complications. We discuss various pharmacological and genetic tools to regulate SERCA function for treating obesity. Next, we discuss preclinical and clinical data on the therapeutic efficacy of regulating SERCA in obesity. We also discuss sarcolipin, a SERCA-associated inhibitory protein, as a molecular target for regulating SERCA. Lastly, we discuss challenges, clinical implications, and future directions of regulating SERCA for treating obesity.

Keywords: Obesity; SERCA; Sarcolipin.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The author declares that there is no competing interest. Ethical approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Human ethics: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable.

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