How cysteine oxidation affects the heart
Cysteine oxidation in the heart
This research tests whether chemical changes to cysteine in heart proteins lead to loss of the SERCA2a calcium pump and worse heart function for people with heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322680 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Oxidative stress can change cysteine in key heart proteins and make the SERCA2a calcium pump break down, which weakens heart contractions. The team will study how Trx1 and the protein p22phox interact with SERCA2a and how modifications like oxidation, acetylation, and SUMOylation trigger SERCA2a degradation. They will use lab models, including mouse hearts and molecular tools such as AAV9 delivery and biochemical analysis, to follow these molecular events. The aim is to find ways to protect or restore SERCA2a so heart cells handle calcium better and pump more effectively.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with heart failure, especially those with reduced heart pumping function linked to impaired calcium handling, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without heart failure or whose condition is caused by unrelated genetic or structural problems may not benefit from findings focused on SERCA2a regulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect or restore the SERCA2a pump and improve heart function in people with heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Delivering SERCA2a with AAV9 helped animal models but did not fully restore function in patients, so targeting cysteine-driven modifications is a more novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sadoshima, Junichi — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Sadoshima, Junichi
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.