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Controlling Cardiomyocyte Dyadic Structure

Projektbeschreibung

Die Funktion des Herzens: die Rolle der kardialen Zellverknüpfungen

Die Kontraktion der Kardiomyozyten wird durch spezialisierte Strukturen, sogenannte Dyaden, erleichtert, die funktionelle Verbindungen zwischen Schlüsselelementen des Herzmuskels bilden. Trotz ihrer wichtigen Funktion ist ihre Natur noch nicht vollständig geklärt. Das vom Europäischen Forschungsrat finanzierte Projekt CARDYADS hat zum Ziel, die 3D-Anordnung und Proteinzusammensetzung von Dyaden während der Entwicklung, im Erwachsenenalter und bei Herzinsuffizienz zu untersuchen. Die Forschenden werden fortschrittliche bildgebende Verfahren, menschliches Gewebe und transgene Mausmodelle einsetzen, um die Rolle bestimmter Gene bei der Bildung und Aufrechterhaltung von Dyaden zu untersuchen. Im Rahmen des Projekts werden die Auswirkungen der dyadischen Struktur auf den Calciumhaushalt und die Herzfunktion experimentell getestet sowie mathematisch modelliert. Die Ergebnisse könnten neue therapeutische Ziele für Herzkrankheiten aufzeigen.

Ziel

Contraction and relaxation of cardiac myocytes, and thus the whole heart, are critically dependent on dyads. These functional junctions between t-tubules, which are invaginations of the surface membrane, and the sarcoplasmic reticulum allow efficient control of calcium release into the cytosol, and also its removal. Dyads are formed gradually during development and break down during disease. However, the precise nature of dyadic structure is unclear, even in healthy adult cardiac myocytes, as are the triggers and consequences of altering dyadic integrity. In this proposal, my group will investigate the precise 3-dimensional arrangement of dyads and their proteins during development, adulthood, and heart failure by employing CLEM imaging (PALM and EM tomography). This will be accomplished by developing transgenic mice with fluorescent labels on four dyadic proteins (L-type calcium channel, ryanodine receptor, sodium-calcium exchanger, SERCA), and by imaging tissue from explanted normal and failing human hearts. The signals responsible for controlling dyadic formation, maintenance, and disruption will be determined by performing high-throughput sequencing to identify novel genes involved with these processes in several established model systems. Particular focus will be given to investigating left ventricular wall stress and stretch-dependent gene regulation as controllers of dyadic integrity. Candidate genes will be manipulated in cell models and transgenic animals to promote dyadic formation and maintenance, and reverse dyadic disruption in heart failure. The consequences of dyadic structure for function will be tested experimentally and with mathematical modeling to examine effects on cardiac myocyte calcium homeostasis and whole-heart function. The results of this project are anticipated to yield unprecedented insight into dyadic structure, regulation, and function, and to identify novel therapeutic targets for heart disease patients.

Gastgebende Einrichtung

UNIVERSITETET I OSLO
Netto-EU-Beitrag
€ 2 000 000,00
Adresse
PROBLEMVEIEN 5-7
0313 Oslo
Norwegen

Auf der Karte ansehen

Region
Norge Oslo og Viken Oslo
Aktivitätstyp
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Gesamtkosten
€ 2 000 000,00

Begünstigte (1)