Cardiac Excitation – Contraction Coupling
Joint Event on 3rd World Congress on Cardiology & 16th International Conference on Nutrition and Fitness
October 29-30, 2018 | London, UK
Mark Cannell
University of Bristol, UK
Posters & Accepted Abstracts : J Nutr Hum Health
Abstract:
Calcium signalling is pivotal for cardiac function, but the complex interaction between cell structure, protein expression and function is far from clear. While the discovery of calcium sparks now forms a cornerstone for our understanding of cardiac excitation-contraction coupling, the problem of calcium spark termination has been resistant to clarification. Using detailed computer models, we now have a robust explanation of calcium spark termination that depends on the detailed microanatomy of the cardiac cell. Furthermore, we have found that disrupted cell anatomy, in the form of de-tabulation, is very closely linked to the loss of contractile performance seen in heart failure. Loss of t-tubules will reduce the efficiency of excitation-contraction coupling but also promote“late calcium sparks” which prolong the calcium transient and would be pro-arrhythmic. These late calcium signalling events are likely to become a new area for intensive study as we attempt to link deranged calcium signalling to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
Biography:
E-mail:
Mark.Cannell@bristol.ac.ukPDF HTML