Cardiomyopathies that stem from sarcomeric and cytostructural mutations are characterized by adverse cardiac remodeling and predisposition to both arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. The pathophysiology is complex, as are molecular mechanisms that underlie it. Tackling this complexity systematically demands the development of new tools and models. Here, we outline a multidisciplinary systems biology approach to the study of cardiomyopathy in a model system that leverages the power of rapid genetic manipulation, Drosophila melanogaster. Long valued as a model of cardiac development, application to the study of cardiac disease is its infancy. In a technical breakthrough study, we have succeeded in using proteomic techniques to compile a protein compendium of the Drosophila cardiac tube. Using bioinformatics, we show that it bears hallmarks of heart tissue at the level of cellular componentry, biological processes and molecular functions. We have therefore begun to assess cardiac remodeling in Drosophila models of restrictive and dilated cardiomyopathy arising from sarcomeric lesions using quantitative proteomic methods. This proposal outlines our systems biology approach, by which profiles of protein expression and post-translational modification are translated to testable hypotheses by the application of bioinformatic ontological and network analyses. The perturbation of protein networks will be cross-referenced with simulations from mathematical models of mammalian integrated excitation-contraction coupling and bioenergetics (ECME). Network/Model simulations will be followed up with physiological assessments of aberrant function (e.g. bioenergetics, Ca2+ handling). Preliminary analysis indicates the restrictive cardiomyopathy mutant Mhc5 shows substantial metabolic remodeling, suggesting a possible role for adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK). We outline new technical innovations that we are pursuing as part of the arsenal to measure Drosophila heart performance. The immediate 2-year goal of this exploratory/development grant is to identify a set of novel protein candidates or PTM signatures that lead to altered biological activity in Drosophila models of restrictive and dilated cardiomyopathy. In short, we outline a strategy to streamline the search for genetic suppressors of restrictive and dilated cardiomyopathy i.e. targets for future rapid targeted knockdown and overexpression. Human homologues of these novel modified drosophila proteins may represent novel targets for therapeutic drug design.

Public Health Relevance

This proposal describes an multi-disciplinary systems biology approach to the study of cardiomyopathy using the cardiac tube of the fruit fly as a model system. Quantitative proteomics, network analysis, computational modeling and functional studies will yield a molecular fingerprint of enlarged and dilated fly hearts. The relative importance of the proteins that make up these signatures can be quickly assessed in this model system;human versions of fly proteins could well be targets for new drug development approaches to restrictive and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21HL108052-02
Application #
8536931
Study Section
Cardiac Contractility, Hypertrophy, and Failure Study Section (CCHF)
Program Officer
Larkin, Jennie E
Project Start
2012-08-27
Project End
2014-07-31
Budget Start
2013-08-01
Budget End
2014-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$198,981
Indirect Cost
$71,274
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Foster, D Brian; Liu, Ting; Kammers, Kai et al. (2016) Integrated Omic Analysis of a Guinea Pig Model of Heart Failure and Sudden Cardiac Death. J Proteome Res 15:3009-28
Viswanathan, Meera C; Blice-Baum, Anna C; Schmidt, William et al. (2015) Pseudo-acetylation of K326 and K328 of actin disrupts Drosophila melanogaster indirect flight muscle structure and performance. Front Physiol 6:116
Papanicolaou, Kyriakos N; O'Rourke, Brian; Foster, D Brian (2014) Metabolism leaves its mark on the powerhouse: recent progress in post-translational modifications of lysine in mitochondria. Front Physiol 5:301
Foster, D Brian; Liu, Ting; Rucker, Jasma et al. (2013) The cardiac acetyl-lysine proteome. PLoS One 8:e67513
O'Rourke, Brian; Van Eyk, Jennifer E; Foster, D Brian (2011) Mitochondrial protein phosphorylation as a regulatory modality: implications for mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure. Congest Heart Fail 17:269-82