PUBLICATION

Mechanisms of TTNtv-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Insights from Zebrafish Models

Authors
Santiago, C.F., Huttner, I.G., Fatkin, D.
ID
ZDB-PUB-210129-3
Date
2021
Source
Journal of cardiovascular development and disease   8(2): (Review)
Registered Authors
Fatkin, Diane, Huttner, Inken
Keywords
dilated cardiomyopathy, titin, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
none
PubMed
33504111 Full text @ J Cardiovasc Dev Dis
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common heart muscle disorder characterized by ventricular dilation and contractile dysfunction that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. New insights into disease mechanisms and strategies for treatment and prevention are urgently needed. Truncating variants in the TTN gene, which encodes the giant sarcomeric protein titin (TTNtv), are the most common genetic cause of DCM, but exactly how TTNtv promote cardiomyocyte dysfunction is not known. Although rodent models have been widely used to investigate titin biology, they have had limited utility for TTNtv-related DCM. In recent years, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a powerful alternative model system for studying titin function in the healthy and diseased heart. Optically transparent embryonic zebrafish models have demonstrated key roles of titin in sarcomere assembly and cardiac development. The increasing availability of sophisticated imaging tools for assessment of heart function in adult zebrafish has revolutionized the field and opened new opportunities for modelling human genetic disorders. Genetically modified zebrafish that carry a human A-band TTNtv have now been generated and shown to spontaneously develop DCM with age. This zebrafish model will be a valuable resource for elucidating the phenotype modifying effects of genetic and environmental factors, and for exploring new drug therapies.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping