Award details

Regulation of cardiac calcium signalling

Reference	BBS/E/B/0000C134
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Martin Bootman
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,786,349
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2005
End date	31/10/2012
Duration	91 months

Abstract

The cyclical contraction of the heart pumps blood around the lungs and the body. There is a precise order of electrical events that spread from a pacemaking centre (the sinoatrial node) through the atria to ventricles. Disturbances in the spread of the electrical signal, or occurrence of spontaneous electrical signals, can lead to fatal corruption of the heart’s function. Calcium underlies the contraction of cardiac cells. As the electrical signal sweeps through the heart, calcium channels open in its wake. These channels are located on the outer membrane of the cells and also on internal stores, and their precise temporal and spatial recruitment is critical for regular contraction. The increase in calcium within cardiac myocytes (heart muscle cells) causes them to contract. The simultaneous recruitment of many cells generates the force required to pump blood. The output of the heart is regulated by a variety of agents outside of the cell. A well-known example is adrenaline, which increases the force and speed of contraction. We are interested in understanding the development and regulation of calcium signals during electrical stimulation of cardiac cells. In particular, we have focussed on calcium signalling in atrial myocytes. Although the ventricles are largely responsible for the pumping of blood, the atrial compartments make a significant contribution. The dependence of the heart on atria is particularly important during stressful periods and increases with age. Our work is focussed on understanding how atrial (and ventricular) myocytes utilise calcium under normal physiological conditions, and how this changes when cells are stimulated with natural agonists (substances which produce a response).

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Biochemistry & Cell Biology (BCB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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