Year: 2022
Type: editorial
Abstract: A t a superficial level, human and zebrafish hearts may seem very different-the human heart is 250 000 times the size of the zebrafish heart, 1 has twice as many chambers, and has no regenerative ability.Despite these differences, morphologically and structurally, the human and fish heart share many similarities including cardiomyocyte structure and function.2 By exploiting these similarities and differences, conserved elements of biology that advance the field of cardiac development can be uncovered. Article, see p 980Cardiac contractility relies on cardiomyocytes, which allow the heart to pump blood, thus providing nutrients throughout the body.Cardiomyocyte function is crucial to vertebrate survival and is dependent upon cellular responsiveness to mechanical, chemical, and electrical cues.3 Defective cardiomyocyte physiology due to pathogenic environmental conditions or genetic mutations can cause acquired or congenital heart disease.While some of these etiologies have been identified including mutations that impact genes involved in cardiomyocyte development and maturation, 4 a complete list of pathogenic mutations remains to be defined.Thus, uncovering new genes participating in heart development and function may not only identify additional candidate disease loci but also novel therapeutic strategies for heart disease.RNA splicing is a crucial part of cardiac development, maturation, and disease, since different isoform usage primarily occurs through alternative splicing.5 Many RBPs (RNA-binding proteins) have been identified in cardiac development and disease including ASF/SF2 (serine/ arginine-rich splicing factor 1), CELF (CUGBP elav-like
Source: Circulation Research
Authors: Alyssa R. Holman, Neil C. Chi
Institution: University of California San Diego
Language: English
Topic: RNA Research and Splicing
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Award: G1895172569
OpenAlex ID: W4310700280