University of Wisconsin System
Grant: $410,019 - National Institutes of Health - Jun. 1, 2009
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Award Description: This project is being supported with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which may involve a reduction in the research aims and scope. If necessary, a revised abstract will be posted soon and this notice removed. DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Titin is an extremely large protein found primarily in cardiac and skeletal muscle. It is alternatively spliced and different splice isoforms affect the function of the protein. We have partially characterized a mutation in rats that dramatically alters the splicing pattern of titin in the heart. The mutant rat model has a mild form of dilated cardiomyopathy, extensive fibrosis, and has a significant incidence of sudden death. The mutated gene responsible for altered titin splicing has been localized to an RNA binding protein in chromosome 1. Transfection of adenovirus constructs contain the Rbm20 sequence into cultured cardiomyocytes from homozygous mutants will be used in rescue experiments. Binding of the Rbm20 to RNA or DNA will be explored using ChIP assays. Alternative mechanisms whereby titin splicing is developmentally changed will be explored. These include developmental up regulation of Rbm20 message and protein using quantitative PCR and Western blotting respectively, developmental alterations in Rbm20 phosphorylation state, or developmental changes in other protein or proteins that associate with Rbm20. Studies will be conducted to characterize the prolonged duration of action potentials from cardiomyocytes of homozygous mutants and determine whether the altered ion channel properties found in isolated cells are also observed in vivo. We will also use the mutant rat model to explore titins role in length dependent activation and the Frank-Starling relationship using isolated skinned cardiomyocytes. X-ray diffraction experiments using skinned trabeculae will compare filament spacing of wild type, heterozygote, and homozygote mutants at different sarcomere lengths. The studies outlined should provide new insights into titin function and the mechanisms controlling its isoform expression. They may also help to better understand the role of ion channel alternative splicing on cardiac arrhythmias. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Titin isoforms changes have been shown to occur in dilated cardiomyopathy, so understanding the mechanisms controlling titin splicing and the cardiac adaptations to different titin isoforms may help in devising treatments for this prevalent cardiovascular disease. In addition the rat mutation model we have developed should help to understand mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death.
Project Description: See Award Description
Jobs Summary: The University of Wisconsin - Madison appreciates the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. This additional funding has allowed us to retain employees and create new jobs. The job classifications that have been created or retained for this award are: Lead Researchers, Associate Researchers (incl. post-doc researchers). (Total jobs reported: 1)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Jun. 1, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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