RESEARCH: MYOSINS
FOLDING PROJECT #17445 PROFILE

This project studies myosin proteins, which power our muscles and cells. Scientists want to understand how drugs can fix problems with myosin that cause heart diseases like cardiomyopathies 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.

myosins

Proteins responsible for muscle contraction and cellular movement.

Myosins are a family of motor proteins essential for various cellular functions. They convert chemical energy into mechanical work, enabling muscle contraction, intracellular transport, and cell division. Defects in myosin function can lead to numerous diseases, including cardiomyopathies and muscular dystrophies.

proteins

Large biomolecules composed of amino acids.

Proteins are the workhorses of cells, carrying out a vast array of functions essential for life. They act as enzymes, structural components, hormones, antibodies, and more. Their diverse roles stem from their unique three-dimensional structures, which are determined by the sequence of amino acids they contain.

cardiomyopathies

Diseases of the heart muscle.

Cardiomyopathies are a group of conditions that affect the heart muscle's ability to pump blood effectively. They can be caused by genetic factors, infections, toxins, or other underlying medical conditions. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and irregular heartbeat.

heart failure

A condition in which the heart cannot pump blood effectively.

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle weakens or becomes stiff, impairing its ability to pump blood adequately to meet the body's needs. This can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling.