RESEARCH: MYOSINS
FOLDING PROJECT #17421 PROFILE

This project looks at myosins, proteins that power movement in our bodies. Myosins are involved in muscle contractions and moving things inside cells. Researchers want to understand how drugs could 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

A type of protein that converts chemical energy into mechanical work.

Myosins are essential proteins found in all eukaryotic cells. They are responsible for a wide range of functions, including muscle contraction, cell movement, and intracellular transport. Myosins function by binding to actin filaments and using ATP to move along them, generating force and enabling various cellular processes.

Cardiomyopathy

A disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood.

Cardiomyopathy is a group of diseases that affect the heart muscle, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively. This can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain. There are different types of cardiomyopathy, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Heart Failure

A condition in which the heart can't pump blood effectively enough to meet the body's needs.

Heart failure is a serious condition that occurs when the heart muscle weakens and cannot pump blood as efficiently as it should. This can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, legs, and other parts of the body. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling, and rapid heartbeat.

PDB

Protein Data Bank

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is a global repository of 3D structural data for large biological molecules. This information is crucial for understanding protein function and developing new drugs and therapies.