Protein Rescues Function After Heart Failure
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
Impaired calcium uptake is a hallmark of heart failure. The enzyme SERCA2a is known to play a critical role in maintaining the normal contractile function of those cells whose activity is decreased or disrupted in failing hearts. But its large size makes the enzyme a difficult drug target. Now, however, a research team has identified a small protein that interacts with SERCA2a after heart failure, which could open the door on a potential new approach to therapy.