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Clumpy Heart
20 January 2014

Clumpy Heart

Huntington’s disease is associated with the accumulation of clumps of misfolded proteins in the brain and heart. These protein clusters are also linked to the deterioration of heart muscle known as cardiomyopathy, but the mechanisms by which they do the damage haven't been clear. To find out, researchers came up with a fruit fly model of Huntington’s-related protein aggregation. Using genetic manipulation techniques to ensure normal protein folding and reduce oxidative stress [harmful build-up of oxygen-containing molecules] in flies, the researchers were able to reduce the number of clusters in the heart and reverse dysfunction. It appears that protein clumps (seen here as green dots) somehow diminish and disorganize myofibrils – the rod-shaped units that make up muscle fibres (pink and cyan) – to cause heart defects. This new model system should help scientists to better understand the relationship between protein accumulation and heart muscle damage.

Written by Daniel Cossins

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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