How CaMKII, a heart enzyme, affects adult heart muscle cells
CaMKII activation and regulation in adult cardiac myocytes
This work looks at how changes to a heart enzyme called CaMKII change adult heart muscle cells and may lead to heart failure or dangerous heart rhythms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135507 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying CaMKII, an enzyme that helps control calcium in heart cells, and how chemical tags (post-translational modifications) make it stay active. They will measure the effects of known tags—autophosphorylation, oxidation, GlcNAcylation and S-nitrosylation—and other modifications that can suppress activity in isolated adult cardiac myocytes. The team will change specific modification sites and record how those changes affect ion channels, calcium handling, and the electrical behavior that can cause arrhythmias. One aim specifically tests whether adding or removing a single S-nitrosylation mark alters CaMKII memory and heart cell function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with heart failure or a history of arrhythmias would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients without heart disease or arrhythmia risk are unlikely to see direct benefits from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat heart failure and dangerous heart rhythms by targeting how CaMKII is modified.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and cell studies show that blocking CaMKII can reduce arrhythmias and slow heart failure, but the precise role of individual chemical tags is still being defined.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bers, Donald M — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Bers, Donald M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.