RESEARCH: MYOSINS
FOLDING PROJECT #17442 PROFILE

This project looks at myosins, proteins that power body movement. By understanding how they work, scientists hope to develop drugs for heart problems like cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Myosins are super important, even featured as the Molecule of the Month!

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 motor protein responsible for muscle contraction and cellular movement.

Myosins are a family of proteins that act as molecular motors within cells. They convert chemical energy from ATP into mechanical work, enabling processes like muscle contraction, intracellular transport, and cell division. Defects in myosin function can lead to various diseases, including cardiomyopathies and muscular dystrophies.

protein

Large biomolecules composed of chains of amino acids.

Proteins are essential macromolecules that play diverse roles in living organisms. They act as enzymes, structural components, hormones, antibodies, and more. Their functions depend on their unique three-dimensional structures, which are determined by the sequence of amino acids they contain.

muscle

Contractile tissue responsible for movement.

Muscles are tissues composed of specialized cells that can contract and relax. They enable voluntary movements like walking and lifting objects, as well as involuntary actions like digestion and heartbeat. Muscles receive signals from the nervous system to contract and generate force.

cardiomyopathy

A disease of the heart muscle.

Cardiomyopathy refers to 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 swelling in the legs and ankles. There are different types of cardiomyopathy, each with unique causes and characteristics.

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 or stiffens, making it unable to pump blood efficiently. This can result in fatigue, shortness of breath, fluid retention, and other symptoms. Treatment options aim to manage the condition and improve quality of life.