The Sarcomere: The key to muscle function is contraction

The principal functionality of muscle is rooted in its ability to contract and relax. The foundation for muscle contraction is the sarcomere. Sarcomeres contain a motor protein called myosin, which powers the muscle to contract by “grabbing” onto another protein called actin and “flexing.” When the myosin releases the actin, the muscle relaxes. This process is regulated by another protein called troponin.

Learn about the sarcomere Rectangle

References:

  1. Davies RE, Curtin NA, Gergley J. Muscle – The myofibril. Encyclopedia Britannica. Updated June 2, 2020. Accessed August 13, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/science/muscle
  2. Planelles-Herrero VJ, Hartman JJ, Robert-Paganin J, Malik FI, Houdusse A. Mechanistic and structural basis for activation of cardiac myosin force production by omecamtiv mecarbil. Nat Commun. 2017;8(1):190.
  3. How tropomyosin and troponin regulate muscle contraction (video). Khan Academy. Accessed August 13, 2020. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/human-biology/muscles/v/tropomyosin-and-troponin-and-their-role-in-regulating-muscle-contraction
  4. Malik FI, Morgan BP. Cardiac myosin activation part 1: from concept to clinic. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2011;51(4):454-461.
  5. Konno T, Chang S, Seidman JG, Seidman CE. Genetics of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Curr Opin Cardiol. 2010;25(3).
  6. What is Heart Failure? American Heart Association. Updated May 31, 2017. Accessed August 13, 2020. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/what-is-heart-failure
  7. Malik FI, Hartman JJ, Elias KA, et al. Cardiac myosin activation: a potential therapeutic approach for systolic heart failure. Science. 2011;331(6023):1439-1443.
  8. Yancy Clyde W., Jessup Mariell, Bozkurt Biykem, et al. 2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure. Circulation. 2013;128(16):e240-e327.
  9. Kass David A., Solaro R. John. Mechanisms and Use of Calcium-Sensitizing Agents in the Failing Heart. Circulation. 2006;113(2):305-315.
  10. Psotka MA, Gottlieb SS, Francis GS, et al. Cardiac Calcitropes, Myotropes, and Mitotropes: JACC Review Topic of the Week. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(18):2345-2353.
  11. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Causes. Symptoms & Treatments. Cleveland Clinic. Accessed August 13, 2020. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17116-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy
  12. Spudich JA. Three perspectives on the molecular basis of hypercontractility caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutations. Pflugers Arch. 2019;471(5):701-717.
  13. Gersh BJ, Maron BJ, Bonow RO, Dearani JA, Fifer MA, Link MS, …Yancy CW. Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association. 2011;2768.
  14. Liew AC, Vassiliou VS, Cooper R, Raphael CE. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy—Past, Present and Future. J Clin Med. 2017;6(12).
  15. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Cardiomyopathy UK. Updated June 2017. Accessed August 13, 2020. https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/intro

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