Histidine dipeptides are key regulators of excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac muscle: Evidence from a novel CARNS1 knockout rat model.

ABSTRACT: Histidine-containing dipeptides (HCDs) are abundantly expressed in striated muscles. Although important properties have been ascribed to HCDs, including H⁺ buffering, regulation of Ca²⁺ transients and protection against oxidative stress, it remains unknown whether they play relevant functions in vivo. To investigate the in vivo roles of HCDs, we developed the first carnosine synthase knockout (CARNS1^-/-) rat strain to investigate the impact of an absence of HCDs on skeletal and cardiac muscle function. Male wild-type (WT) and knockout rats (4 months-old) were used. Skeletal muscle function was assessed by an exercise tolerance test, contractile function in situ and muscle buffering capacity in vitro. Cardiac function was assessed in vivo by echocardiography

SUBMITTER: Goncalves LS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8144739 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature