Heart muscle contraction shows newly discovered role of 2 enzymes

New research out of the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Chicago have discovered a new role for 2 enzymes and heart muscle contraction, histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). Being in its early stages, it is none the less exciting in that it could provide new treatments…

As a possible treatment for such conditions as congestive heart failure, this technique could present an alternative to current therapies that counteract heart muscle weakness by boosting cellular calcium content, Shroff said. The heightened calcium improves muscle contraction but also results in more energy consumption in hearts that often are energy-starved to begin with.

This could prove to be a much safer way to treat these patients. Next is looking at the contraction overall in the whole animal and not just a slice of cardiac muscle.
via Science Daily