How the protein Rps6kb1 affects harmful enlargement of the heart
Integrative role of Rps6kb1 in pathological cardiac remodeling
This work looks at whether changing the protein Rps6kb1 can prevent the heart's harmful enlargement that leads to heart failure in people with high blood pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324573 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study a protein called Rps6kb1 to learn how it controls heart muscle cell growth using laboratory experiments and animal models that mimic high blood pressure. They will use broad phosphoproteomic testing and genetic deletion in heart tissue to track signaling changes as hearts adapt or fail under pressure overload. The team will measure heart structure and function and test whether altering Rps6kb1 speeds up or slows the move from adaptive enlargement to damaging heart failure. The goal is to identify points that could be targeted to keep hearts healthy longer in people with hypertension.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with high blood pressure and signs of early cardiac hypertrophy (enlarged heart) are the group most likely to benefit from this line of research.
Not a fit: Patients with heart problems unrelated to hypertensive cardiac remodeling or those with very advanced, irreversible heart failure are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new treatment targets to prevent or delay the progression from heart enlargement to heart failure in people with high blood pressure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have linked mTOR/Rps6kb1 signaling to heart growth, but targeted manipulation of Rps6kb1 in pressure-overload models is a relatively new and evolving approach.
Where this research is happening
Duarte, United States
- Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope — Duarte, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Zhao — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Wang, Zhao
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.