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BBSRC DTA Studentship: Calcium signalling and arrhythmogenesis in pulmonary vein sleeve cells
Reference
BBS/E/B/0000L710
Principal Investigator / Supervisor
Dr Martin Bootman
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution
Babraham Institute
Department
Babraham Institute Department
Funding type
Research
Value (£)
140,696
Status
Completed
Type
Institute Project
Start date
01/10/2006
End date
31/03/2012
Duration
66 months
Abstract
Under normal physiological conditions the contraction of each cardiac (heart) muscle cell is under the control of the electrical excitation wave sweeping across the entire heart. The force of contraction of the heart is regulated by the interplay of multiple factors. Our recent interest has been directed towards understanding the modulation of cardiac excitation-contraction (EC) coupling (the signal transduction process) by the protein endothelin-1 (ET-1). It is established that ET-1 can have a significant positive inotropic (increase in contraction) effect in various cardiac tissues from different mammalian species. In addition, it has also been demonstrated that ET-1 can cause arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm). The processes underlying the positive inotropic and pro-arrhythmic effects of ET-1 are not entirely clear. Although ET-1 can provide short-term inotropic support for a failing heart, this effect comes with the potential burden of arrhythmogenesis and remodelling. ET-1 concentration has been shown to be increased in cardiac tissues during pathological conditions such as congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction. Understanding the mechanism of action of ET-1 is therefore clinically important.
Summary
unavailable
Committee
Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
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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