The goal of this research supplement is to complement the aims of the parent R01 by directly examining the formation of the inhibited state of cardiac myosin, super-relaxed state (SRX), and to examine the influence of cMyBP-C and disease mutations on the formation/stabilization of this key structural state. The importance of understanding the role of cMyBP-C in cardiac contractility is highlighted by work demonstrating that its phosphorylation state plays a role in enhancing contractility and during heart failure decreased phosphorylation likely contributes to contractile defects. cMyBP-C is proposed to influence the cardiac myosin SRX in a phosphorylation dependent manner. In this proposal we will design a FRET biosensor of the SRX which will allow direct examination of the influence of cMyBP-C on this crucially important conformation of myosin. We will also examine hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) mutations in the cardiac myosin S2 region known to interact with cMyBP-C.
In Aim 1 we will characterize the FRET biosensor by correlating the FRET signal with other measurements of the SRX, such as actin-activated ATPase and single turnover ATPase assays. We will vary the ionic strength and examine the drug Omecamtiv Mercarbil to demonstrate that the FRET sensor can be used to measure the mole fraction of cardiac myosin in the SRX conformation.
In Aim 2 we will introduce HCM mutations into the S2 region and examine their impact on the formation/stabilization of the SRX. Finally we will also examine if cMyBP-C can alter the HCM mutants response to formation/stabilization of the SRX. Overall, the proposal will greatly complement the parent R01 by providing direct measurements of myosin structure which will be crucial for interpreting the studies of cMyBP-C role in thick and thin filament regulation of muscle contraction.
AIM #1. Examine the formation of the super-relaxed state (SRX) by FRET in human cardiac myosin.
AIM #2. Examine the functional impact of HCM mutations in the S2 region of cardiac myosin.
Familial cardiomyopathies are a common cause of heart failure and most disease-causing mutations are found in two contractile proteins in the sarcomere: cardiac myosin and myosin binding protein C. This proposal will examine the structural and functional features of cardiac myosin regulation by examining the properties of the auto-inhibited state and the influence of myosin binding protein C. In addition, cardiomyopathy mutants that are predicted to impair formation of the auto-inhibited state will be examined. Therefore, this research supplement will provide a deeper understanding of cardiac muscle regulation and provide important insight into potential treatments strategies for cardiomyopathies.
