Studying the role of AmpII protein and t-tubules in the heart

Investigating the role of Amphiphysin II (BIN1) in the control of cardiac t-tubule biogenesis and function

Professor Andrew Trafford and his team at the University of Manchester are studying proteins called amphiphysins to find out how they are involved in heart muscle contraction. For heart muscle cells to contract efficiently to pump blood around the body they need regularly spaced structures called t-tubules. Many of the proteins and structures that are involved in the contraction of heart muscle cells are located close to, or within t-tubules, allowing for a synchronised contraction in response to the electrical current that initiates the heartbeat. In many types of heart disease the t-tubule structures are either lost or disordered, so the heart cannot contract properly. Professor Trafford has discovered that a protein called amphiphysin II (AmpII) is needed to maintain t-tubules in the heart. In heart failure, when t-tubules are lost, AmpII levels are lower. In this project, Professor Trafford will study which types of AmpII are present in the heart and how these change in heart failure. He will then determine the role AmpII plays in t-tubule formation and how it influences contraction in heart cells. He will work out how faulty AmpII seen in some genetic diseases affects t-tubules and the heart’s ability to contract normally. Identifying how t-tubules are formed in the heart may reveal new ways to prevent or correct the loss of t-tubules in heart disease, helping the heart to continue to pump effectively.