Excitation Contraction Coupling in Hypertrophy and Failing Heart Cells

The contraction of the heart is dependent on a process named the excitation-contraction coupling (E-C coupling). In hypertrophy and failing heart models, the expression, phosphorylation and function of key calcium handling proteins involved in E-C coupling are altered. It’s important to figure out the relationship changes between calcium channel activity and calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). This review will therefore focus on novel components of E-C coupling dysfunction in hypertrophy and failing heart, such as L-type Ca2+ channel (LCC), ryanodine receptor type-2 channel (RyR2) and SR Ca ATPase (SERCA), and how these molecular modifications altered excitation-contraction coupling. A lot of literature was well read and sorted. Recent findings in E-C coupling during hypertrophy and heart failure were focused on. Most importantly, the electrophysiological and signal pathway data was carefully analyzed. This review summarizes key principles and highlights novel aspects of E-C coupling changes during hypertrophy and heart failure models. Although LCC activity changed little, the loss of notch in action potential, reduced Ca2+ transient amplitude and desynchronized Ca2+ sparks resulted in a decreased contraction strength in hypertrophy and heart failure models. What’s more, L-type Ca2+ current becomes ineffective in triggering RyR2 Ca2+ release from SR and the SR uptake is reduced in some models. It has great meanings in understanding the E-C coupling changes during different heart diseases. Theses novel changes suggest potential therapeutic approaches for certain types of hypertrophy and heart failure.