RESEARCH: MYOSINS
FOLDING PROJECT #14487 PROFILE

This project looks at myosin proteins, which are super important for how our bodies move! Scientists want to understand how drugs can fix problems with myosin that cause heart conditions like cardiomyopathy and heart failure.

This project simulates several myosins found in the human body.

Myosins are the proteins responsible for most of the force generated by the body, from the contraction of muscles to the movement of materials around the cell.

We are interested in understanding the mechanistic basis of drugs that might be used to treat defects in myosin, including hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies as well as heart failure.

Myosin was featured as the PDB Molecule of the Month in June 2001.

myosin

Proteins responsible for muscle contraction and cellular movement.

Myosins are a class of proteins crucial for generating force within cells. They power muscle contractions, enabling movement, and also transport materials within cells. Defects in myosin can lead to various diseases affecting heart function and other cellular processes.

cardiomyopathies

Diseases of the heart muscle.

Cardiomyopathies are a group of diseases that affect the heart muscle, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This can lead to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and irregular heartbeat. Types of cardiomyopathies include hypertrophic (thickened heart muscle), dilated (enlarged heart chambers), and restrictive (stiff heart muscle).

heart failure

A condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle weakens and struggles to pump blood effectively. This can result in fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling. It is a serious condition requiring medical management.

PDB

Protein Data Bank.

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is a global repository of 3D structural data for proteins and nucleic acids. Researchers use this information to understand protein function, design drugs, and study diseases.