[The effect of the relative amount of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase on the cardiac contractile and relaxation function].
Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) -ATPase (SERCA2a) is a key protein which controls intracellular Ca(2+) concentration by virtue of its ability to take Ca(2+) up into sarcoplasmic reticulum. Recent genetic engineering enabled us to generate mice in which hearts have half copy of SERCA2a gene or excessive amount of SERCA2a transcripts. Depending on the amount of SERCA2a protein, hearts exhibited increased rate of Ca(2+) transport and thus quicker contraction and relaxation. These data suggest that the amount of SERCA2a protein is an important determinant of cardiac performances. These results lead us to develop the therapeutic strategy to increase SERCA2a protein to treat heart failure.
Arai
M
M
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Gunma University School of Medicine.