Regulation of Cardiac Muscle Contraction
Sponsored by the APS Cardiovascular Section 

This symposium offers a comprehensive view of the molecular mechanisms involved in cardiac myofibrillar contraction and how these processes are altered in disease states.  Dr Solaro will discuss key aspects of thin filament regulation of contraction and how modulation of thin filament proteins controls myosin cross-bridge interaction kinetics.  Dr. Moss will address the stereospecific cooperative interactions involved in force generation of cardiac myocytes.  Dr. Granzier will present new insights on cardiac titin’s role as a biomechanical sensor that modulates myocyte mechanics.  Dr. Most will discuss animal models that address how changes in key regulatory molecules of myocyte contraction translate to whole heart function.  Overall, the symposium will critically examine how new biophysical findings at the myofibrillar level relate to ventricular performance and the key questions that remain to explain cardiomyopathies.