M. Periasamy et S. Huke, SERCA pump level is a critical determinant of Ca2+ homeostasis and cardiaccontractility, J MOL CEL C, 33(6), 2001, pp. 1053-1063
The control of intracellular calcium is central to regulation of cardiac co
ntractility, A defect in SR Ca2+ transport and SR Ca2+ ATPase pump activity
and expression level has been implicated as a major player in cardiac dysf
unction, However, a precise cause-effect relationship between alterations i
n SERCA pump level and cardiac contractility could not be established from
these studies. Progress in transgenic mouse technology and adenoviral gene
transfer has provided new tools to investigate the role of SERCA pump level
in the heart. This review focuses on how alterations in SERCA level affect
Ca2+ homeostasis and cardiac contractility. It discusses the consequences
of altered SERCA pump levels for the expression and activity of other Ca2handling proteins. Furthermore, the use of SERCA pump as a therapeutic targ
et for gene therapy of heart failure is evaluated. (C) 2001 Academic Press.