UCLA Researcher Peter Tontonoz to Receive 2025 American Heart Association Basic Research Prize for Lipid Metabolism Discoveries
Dr. Peter Tontonoz's groundbreaking research on cholesterol and lipid metabolism has transformed understanding of cardiovascular diseases and paved the way for new treatments beyond statins.
Peter Tontonoz, M.D., Ph.D., distinguished professor at UCLA, will receive the Basic Research Prize from the American Heart Association during its Scientific Sessions 2025 in November. The award recognizes his transformative contributions to understanding lipid metabolism and its role in cardiometabolic diseases.
Dr. Tontonoz's research has fundamentally changed how scientists and medical professionals approach heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. His identification of an E3 ligase that targets and degrades the LDL receptor opened new avenues for cholesterol-lowering therapies beyond traditional statin treatments. This discovery represents a significant advancement in cardiovascular treatment options.
His work on the nuclear receptor Liver X Receptor (LXR) demonstrated the critical intersection between immunology and metabolism, helping establish the emerging field of immunometabolism. Additionally, Dr. Tontonoz discovered important membrane phospholipid remodeling enzymes affecting intestinal and liver physiology, and most recently characterized a novel cholesterol transfer protein called Aster. This protein moves cholesterol from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum and serves as a key factor in lipid uptake from dietary sources.
Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., the American Heart Association's 2025-2026 volunteer president, stated that Dr. Tontonoz's scientific contributions impact every individual through their implications for heart health. His research has been cited in more than 220 peer-reviewed articles, reflecting the broad influence of his work throughout the scientific community.
Beyond his laboratory achievements, Dr. Tontonoz has mentored numerous scientists who now lead successful research groups and serves on several National Institutes of Health study sections. He also contributes to editorial boards for prestigious scientific journals including the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Genes & Development.
The recognition by the American Heart Association underscores the clinical significance of basic research in addressing cardiovascular diseases that affect millions worldwide. Dr. Tontonoz's work continues to illuminate how fat-related processes influence both normal tissue function and disease pathology, potentially leading to more precise and effective treatments for cardiovascular conditions.