Mechano-chemical Interactions in Cardiac Sarcomere Contraction: A Computational Modeling Study.

ABSTRACT: We developed a model of cardiac sarcomere contraction to study the calcium-tension relationship in cardiac muscle. Calcium mediates cardiac contraction through its interactions with troponin (Tn) and subsequently tropomyosin molecules. Experimental studies have shown that a slight increase in intracellular calcium concentration leads to a rapid increase in sarcomeric tension. Though it is widely accepted that the rapid increase is not possible without the concept of cooperativity, the mechanism is debated. We use the hypothesis that there exists a base level of cooperativity intrinsic to the thin filament that is boosted by mechanical tension, i.e. a high level of mechanical tension in the thin filament impedes the unbinding of calcium from Tn. To test these hypotheses, we developed a comp

SUBMITTER: Dupuis LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5055322 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature