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The structure of a key protein implicated in diseases affecting the heart muscle has been uncovered, scientists say.
Researchers, including some from King's College London, say they now understand why faulty alpha-actinin stops muscles from working properly when people have the heart disease cardiomyopathy.
Their conclusions could lead to better screening and potential treatment for other conditions caused by the defect.
The research took eight years.
In striated muscle, in the heart as well as skeletal muscles, alpha-actinin holds the layers at regularly spaced intervals over huge distances.
After working out the structure of the protein, the researchers, from King's College London as well as institutions in Russia, Norway and Austria, looked at what happened when it was mutated.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30209235
Researchers, including some from King's College London, say they now understand why faulty alpha-actinin stops muscles from working properly when people have the heart disease cardiomyopathy.
Their conclusions could lead to better screening and potential treatment for other conditions caused by the defect.
The research took eight years.
In striated muscle, in the heart as well as skeletal muscles, alpha-actinin holds the layers at regularly spaced intervals over huge distances.
After working out the structure of the protein, the researchers, from King's College London as well as institutions in Russia, Norway and Austria, looked at what happened when it was mutated.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30209235