Conformation-regulated mechanosensory control via titin domains in cardiac muscle

Pflugers Arch. 2011 Jul;462(1):143-54. doi: 10.1007/s00424-011-0938-1. Epub 2011 Feb 25.

Abstract

The giant filamentous protein titin is ideally positioned in the muscle sarcomere to sense mechanical stimuli and transform them into biochemical signals, such as those triggering cardiac hypertrophy. In this review, we ponder the evidence for signaling hotspots along the titin filament involved in mechanosensory control mechanisms. On the way, we distinguish between stress and strain as triggers of mechanical signaling events at the cardiac sarcomere. Whereas the Z-disk and M-band regions of titin may be prominently involved in sensing mechanical stress, signaling hotspots within the elastic I-band titin segment may respond primarily to mechanical strain. Common to both stress and strain sensor elements is their regulation by conformational changes in protein domains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Connectin
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Cytoskeleton / ultrastructure
  • Elasticity
  • Heart / anatomy & histology*
  • Heart / physiology
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular / physiology*
  • Muscle Proteins / chemistry*
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism
  • Myocardium / cytology*
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Protein Isoforms / chemistry
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Kinases / chemistry*
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Sarcomeres / physiology*
  • Sarcomeres / ultrastructure
  • Stress, Mechanical

Substances

  • Connectin
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Protein Kinases