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Microtubules in cardiac toxicity and disease
1Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA. Dan.Webster@ttuhsc.edu
Abstract:
Microtubules (MTs) are dynamic, cytoskeletal fibers that are found in every eukaryotic cell type. MTs serve a wide range of functions, including cell division, membrane and vesicle transport, and motility. As such, MTs play pivotal roles in cardiac development and function. Agents that disrupt normal MT function, including such therapeutic agents as vincristine and paclitaxel, have also been shown to affect essential cardiac activities such as sarcomere mechanics, beat rate, and the secretion of important molecules (e.g., atrial natriuretic factor). Disease states that lead to either ischemia- or pressure overload- induced cardiac hypertrophy also alter the microtubule cytoskeleton in several ways. A fuller understanding of the contributions of MTs to cardiac development and function will be necessary to minimize the deleterious side effects of the therapeutic application of MT-disrupting drugs. This review summarizes current hypotheses and experimental results that demonstrate the central role of MTs in heart cell function and disease.
Insights
Microtubules (MTs) are vital cytoskeletal components in heart cells, influencing cardiac development and function. Understanding MTs is key to managing side effects of MT-disrupting drugs used in cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Cardiovascular Science
- Cytoskeletal Dynamics
Background:
- Microtubules (MTs) are essential cytoskeletal elements in all eukaryotic cells.
- MTs are involved in critical cellular processes like division, transport, and motility.
- MTs play significant roles in cardiac development and physiological function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of microtubule contributions to cardiac function.
- To explore how MTs are affected in cardiac disease states.
- To highlight the implications for therapeutic interventions targeting microtubules.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of experimental results and hypotheses.
- Analysis of studies on MT-disrupting agents and their cardiac effects.
- Examination of research on MT alterations in cardiac hypertrophy.
Main Results:
- MTs are crucial for sarcomere mechanics, beat rate, and molecular secretion in the heart.
- Therapeutic agents like vincristine and paclitaxel disrupt MTs, impacting cardiac activity.
- Cardiac diseases such as hypertrophy alter the microtubule cytoskeleton.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive understanding of MTs in cardiac cells is necessary.
- Minimizing adverse cardiac effects of MT-disrupting drugs requires further research.
- MTs are central to both normal heart function and cardiac disease pathogenesis.