Protective mechanisms of protein SUMOylation in the heart
Dr Jeremy Henley and colleagues at the University of Bristol have been awarded a grant to investigate how a protein called SUMO can help protect the heart from injury. The SUMO protein is attached to a specific protein in mitochondria, which are the power plants within cells that generate energy. Mitochondria are especially important in heart cells because these cells constantly require energy to contract and beat. However, when oxygen and sugar supplies to the heart are interrupted, for instance during a heart attack (ischaemia), followed by re-oxygenation as part of treatment, mitochondria can cause severe damage to the heart cells. This can be a major problem for recovery from surgery or treatment for a heart attack. This group believes that adding SUMO to a mitochondrial protein called Drp1, in a process known as SUMOylation, can protect heart cells after a heart attack or during heart surgery. These experiments will help advance our understanding of how SUMOylation can protect heart cells from injury and help inform the development of new drug targets.
Project details
| Grant amount | £309,820 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 01 April 2015 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/14/60/31014 |
| Status | Complete |
