Control Of Cardiac And Skeletal Contractility By Luminal Calcium Store Load In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,138.00
Summary
Disorders affecting skeletal muscle and the heart can have life threatening effects and lead to impaired mobility and sudden cardiac death. This project will uncover the mechanisms of disorders which lead to skeletal muscle fatigue, chemotherapy induced toxicity in the heart and heart failure. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to successful gene therapy treatment and to the design of a new range of drug therapies to treat these devastating disorders.
Decrypting The Excitation Contraction Coupling Machinery In Skeletal Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$914,869.00
Summary
Skeletal muscle function is dependent upon the fine control of calcium levels. When communication of key proteins in muscle are compromised, calcium levels are uncontrolled leading to severe disabilities. The molecular pathways that control signalling between key muscle proteins is currently unknown and shedding light on this topic will aid in the discovery of therapies for muscle-associated disabilities in disease and with aging.
Nutrient-training Interactions In Human Skeletal Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$53,659.00
Summary
Skeletal muscle accounts for 50% of total body mass with critical roles in body movement and blood glucose regulation. Exercise is a potent stimulus for maintaining/ increasing muscle mass, an effect that is augmented when combined with protein ingestion. The aims of this proposal are to better understand this exercise-nutrient interaction to optimize the prescription of programs and recovery strategies as a countermeasure for muscle degeneration with aging and disease.
Molecular Basis Of Ca2+-dependent Disruption Of EC-coupling And Weakness In Skeletal Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,976.00
Summary
One major cause of weakness in skeletal muscle appears to stem from damage to the mechanism controlling release of calcium ions from internal stores and consequent contraction. This project examines whether the damage is due to excessive levels of intracellular calcium ions activating enzymes that cut a particular vital molecule controlling calcium release. The findings could identify a major factor in muscle weakness in muscular dystrophy and other conditions and lead to specific therapies.
Mechanisms Regulating Excitation-contraction Coupling In Skeletal Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,750.00
Summary
Muscle contraction occurs when an electrical impulse from a nerve travels over the surface of a skeletal muscle fibre and triggers the release of calcium ions from special stores inside the fibre. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms involved in turning on and turning off the calcium release. This project investigates the properties of the calcium release and what processes are involved in regulating it. Information about this is vital for understanding how normal muscle work ....Muscle contraction occurs when an electrical impulse from a nerve travels over the surface of a skeletal muscle fibre and triggers the release of calcium ions from special stores inside the fibre. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms involved in turning on and turning off the calcium release. This project investigates the properties of the calcium release and what processes are involved in regulating it. Information about this is vital for understanding how normal muscle works and why muscles show reduced performance with exercise (muscle fatigue), with aging, and in certain diseases.Read moreRead less
Viral Therapy For Skeletal Muscle Alpha-actin Disease And Discovery Of Novel Neuromuscular Disease Genes And Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$324,028.00
Summary
This research project is the next logical step towards treating patients with skeletal muscle actin disease - using viral delivery of normal actin genes in animal models of actin disease. Another arm of this project is to investigate the genetics and mechanisms causing two very different groups of muscle disorders in the Australian population: devastating muscle weakness in the foetal akinesias and enhanced muscle strength and bulk in individuals with strongman syndromes.
A Single Fibre Approach To The Study Of Regulation Of Protein Synthesis In Skeletal Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,039.00
Summary
Skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue in the human body and accounts for more than 40% of body weight. Loss of muscle mass is a major cause of frailty and loss of functionality in the elderly and is also a common feature of many chronic diseases such as cancer, HIV, arthritis and chronic heart failure. Changes in protein synthesis are intrinsically associated with alterations in muscle mass, which is integral to health, physical performance and independent living. In this project we aim to ....Skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue in the human body and accounts for more than 40% of body weight. Loss of muscle mass is a major cause of frailty and loss of functionality in the elderly and is also a common feature of many chronic diseases such as cancer, HIV, arthritis and chronic heart failure. Changes in protein synthesis are intrinsically associated with alterations in muscle mass, which is integral to health, physical performance and independent living. In this project we aim to answer some important outstanding questions regarding the regulation of protein synthesis in mammalian skeletal muscle using a novel, single cell approach. Results obtained within the framework of the project will contribute to the understanding of the regulation of cellular and molecular events underpinning protein synthesis in muscle, which is critical for developing effective strategies of treatment and management of various medical conditions to prevent muscle wasting.Read moreRead less
Physiological And Pathological Effects Of Oxidation On Contractile Function In Skeletal Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,311.00
Summary
Reactive oxygen molecules generated within muscle fibres in normal exercise and in pathological conditions, greatly affect muscle function by altering the responsiveness of the contractile proteins. This study investigates how various oxidative stresses affect particular reactive sites on key proteins controlling muscle contraction. The findings should identify key molecular changes involved in normal activity and the role oxidation plays in chronic muscle weakness in particular conditions.