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Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Mechanical Control of Relaxation Using Intact Cardiac Trabeculae
Published on: February 17, 2023
Titin as a modular spring: emerging mechanisms for elasticity control by titin in cardiac physiology and
Henk Granzier1, Dietmar Labeit, Yiming Wu
1Department VCAPP, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6520, USA. granzier@wsunix.wsu.edu
Abstract:
Titin is a giant elastic protein that functions as a molecular spring that develops passive muscle stiffness. Here we discuss the molecular basis of titin's extensibility, how titin's contribution to passive muscle stiffness may be adjusted and how adjustment of titin's stiffness may influence muscle contraction. We also focus on ligands that link titin to membrane channel activity, protein turnover and gene expression.
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