Junctophilin-1 and how it affects the heart
Junctophilin-1 in the heart
Learning how a protein called junctophilin-1 helps heart cells control calcium and may matter for people with heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11300193 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on junctophilin-1 (JP1), a protein that helps organize calcium signaling sites in heart muscle cells, because calcium control is central to heart pumping and to dangerous heart rhythms. The team made mice that lack JP1 only in heart cells and mice with a tagged JP1 to track where and how it works, and will study cell structure, calcium handling, and rhythm stability. They will also compare findings to human heart tissue to see if JP1 changes in heart failure. Results aim to explain how loss of JP1 contributes to cardiomyocyte dysfunction and arrhythmia risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with systolic heart failure or patients undergoing heart surgery who can provide tissue samples would be the most relevant people to contribute or be considered for related future studies.
Not a fit: People without heart disease or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new ways to protect heart cells or reduce dangerous arrhythmias in people with heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work on junctophilin-2 and calcium-handling has informed our understanding of heart failure, but studying JP1 in the heart is relatively new and mainly preclinical so far.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Song, Long-Sheng — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Song, Long-Sheng
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.