Preparation and Identification of Cardiac Myofibrils from Whole Heart Samples

Mouse models are extensively studied and well-used to study cardiomyopathies due to the genetic relevance of this model organism and increasing need to identify therapeutic targets. Cardiac myofibril preparation for whole hearts has proved to be an invaluable in vitro method for determining the fundamental molecular mechanisms in heart failure. The technique described below consistently yields intact cardiac myofibrils, which can be used in subsequent techniques such as western blotting, immunofluorescence, and mass spectrometry. Here, we describe a method to optimize the separation and yield of cardiac myofibrils from murine whole tissue samples and preparation for subsequent mass spectrometry. This method allows for quick visual identification of multiple cardiac myofibril proteins.