Understanding how a protein called obscurin affects heart structure and function
Obscurin-kinase 1/N-cadherin: a new signaling axis in cardiac structure/function
This project explores how a specific protein, obscurin-Kin1, works with another protein, N-cadherin, to keep heart muscle cells connected and healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11109543 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our hearts rely on strong connections between muscle cells to beat properly. This project looks closely at a large protein called obscurin, which is important for the structure and regulation of heart muscles, and how its specific part, Kin1, interacts with another key protein, N-cadherin. We believe this interaction helps keep heart cells connected and communicating, which is essential for a healthy heart. By understanding this process, we hope to learn more about how heart conditions develop when these connections are not working correctly.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with certain heart muscle conditions, particularly cardiomyopathies linked to genetic mutations in obscurin, might eventually benefit from this foundational knowledge.
Not a fit: Patients whose heart conditions are not related to the specific proteins or pathways being studied here may not directly benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this fundamental process could lead to new ways to prevent or treat heart muscle diseases like cardiomyopathies.
How similar studies have performed: While the presence of these kinase domains was known, their specific enzymatic activity and substrates, like N-cadherin, have only recently been identified by this research group, making this a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos, Aikaterini — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos, Aikaterini
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.