Center of studies Chilean scientist discovers key role of protein in the functioning of the heart
The Dra. Zully Pedrozo, from the center of studies on exercise, Metabolism and Cancer, CEMC was able to describe the role played by the protein polycystin-1 in the vital process of the heart muscle. This knowledge could also help to understand the origin of diseases such as hypertrophy and heart failure and future, form the basis for the generation of new treatments.
Our heart beats and shrinks thanks to a number of factors, among them, the existence of proteins whose role was discovered by the Dra in Chile. Zully Pedrozo, researcher at the Centre for studies in exercise, Metabolism and Cancer (CEMC).
Paraguay native biochemistry, It takes years to exploring cardiomyocytes - cardiac muscle cells that give this body - contractile ability, and the mechanisms involved in these work properly. In this context, He was able to describe the role played by the protein polycystin-1 in this vital process for the body. This knowledge could also help to understand the origin of diseases such as hypertrophy and heart failure and future, form the basis for the generation of new treatments.
"We have been exploring how the cardiomyocytes and in that scenario", We have seen proteins that may be sensing how much is stretching or relaxing this cell. This is how I started working with this protein which is a mecanosensor called polycystin-1 and what we saw, is that when he was not present, the heart stops contracting properly and develop heart problems. This was important, It is the first time that described the role of this protein in its relationship with the contractile function", explains the PhD in Biomedical Sciences, academic program of Physiology and Biophysics, the University of Chile and member of the Center for advanced studies of chronic diseases (ACCDiS ).
The Dra. Zully Pedrozo and his team discovered, effectively, This protein is capable of sensing the pathological stretch and avoid further damage to the cell, protecting it from cell death. "There is something that is happening and makes that this protein prevents an increase in the death of cardiomyocytes". We did a cardiac infarct model, which does not enough oxygen and nutrients to a part of the heart and what we see is that when there is no sufficient polycystin-1, the cells die more. In addition, We observed that the failure of this protein induces the development of heart failure earlier, which quickly leads to a deterioration of the body and death", says scientist
Studies, developed in cellular and animal models, they count on the collaboration of researchers Donoso Paulina, Gina Sanchez, and Dr. Marcelo Llancaqueo, of the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile. According to researcher, their working hypothesis is that this protein may regulate the correct formation of the structure of cardiomyocytes allowing muscle to contract properly. "If there is a poor heart contraction that damages the function and can lead to different cardiomyopathies such as hypertrophy and heart failure. So we also want to make progress on that line to describe if this protein may be linked to some of these pathologies", the CEMC scientist says.
Work in laboratory
To carry out investigations, cardiomyocytes were cultivated in some special plates not expressing protein study. In addition, experiments in mice lacking of polycystin-1 were carried out. "In people who suffer from high blood pressure, This can happen over time that their cardiomyocytes to stretch beyond normal. This generates a series of processes in the cell that can make this change in one way or another. In our case, We try to simulate the pathological cellular stretch and so we can investigate the role of the polycystin-1 in these situations", said expert.
The Dra. Zully Pedrozo and his team discovered, effectively, This protein is capable of sensing the pathological stretch and avoid further damage to the cell, protecting it from cell death. "There is something that is happening and makes that this protein prevents an increase in the death of cardiomyocytes". We did a cardiac infarct model, which does not enough oxygen and nutrients to a part of the heart and what we see is that when there is no sufficient polycystin-1, the cells die more. In addition, We observed that the failure of this protein induces the development of heart failure earlier, which quickly leads to a deterioration of the body and death", says scientist.
Problems with this protein are also associated with the development of Polycystic Kidney disease, that is genetic and progressive, and associated with a mutation. Therefore, These observations of the Dra. Pedrozo not only have importance for the development of cardiac deficiencies, but also for other chronic illnesses that generate a significant expenditure of the country in the area of public health as a whole, says Dr. Andrew Quest, the CEMC Director. The Dra. Pedrozo knew more about this reality in laboratories during your stay in Dallas, United States, where he developed his post-doctoral studies in mice models. It was in this way that started working in them, for linking them to heart function.
From Paraguay to Chile
The biochemistry of 45s, He arrived from Paraguay to Chile 17 years, After working in a clinical setting. Arriving in our country, It is impassioned by the basic research and the cardiovascular area, starting to improve your career. While in the U. Chile held a master's degree in the Faculty of medicine and then, developed his doctorate in Biomedical Sciences. Then he did a postdoctoral, that led her to live as long in Chile as United States, until, the year 2013 finally, through a contest she was selected to integrate to the roster of academics from the program in Physiology and Biophysics from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of medicine, University of Chile.
Currently, It has its own lab in the same Faculty and also joined as an associate researcher at the Centre for studies in exercise, Metabolism and Cancer and the Center for advanced studies of chronic diseases (ACCDiS ). "When I recently changed my country the dream was back, but after awhile I started to form bonds with people and the Chilean culture. Professionally I have built a very rewarding way, Thus here I managed to develop myself as a researcher and then I realized that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I'm very grateful to be in Chile to develop my work. Always is a dream for the immigrant someday to return to his country", account.
For the scientific advance in this line of work is fundamental, because it will allow to know the basic mechanisms of heart function in normal and also pathological conditions. "We are generating knowledge and that is important for the development of any nation, planting bases for future discoveries", designates.
Centre of excellence
Led by Dr. Andrew Quest, the center of studies on exercise, Metabolism and Cancer, CEMC, It studies the basic mechanisms that underlie the development of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cancer. These pathologies account for around 40% of total deaths in Chile, for which reason, Learn about its causes and processes involved, It is fundamental to this team of scientists, It also seek to contribute to the country through better diagnostics and treatments. The entity, housed in the University of Chile, account with four senior researchers and ten young.