Reducing MRPS5 protein levels using the antibiotic doxycycline improved the recovery of mouse heart cells. The research was published in the journal Circulation.
Myocardial infarction can lead to irreversible loss of heart muscle cells. In a new study, scientists found that they can be repaired by affecting mitochondria, cell structures responsible for producing large amounts of energy needed for the heart to constantly contract.
In previous studies, the authors found that embryos lacking the MRPS5 protein developed severe heart defects incompatible with life. This was due to the disruption of the connection between the mitochondria and the cell nucleus, where DNA is stored.
Now scientists have partially, rather than completely, deprived the hearts of mice of the MRPS5 protein. To do this, they extracted a copy of the gene responsible for producing MRPS5 from the DNA of mice (animals and humans have two copies of each gene; one from each mother and father). When scientists artificially induced heart attacks in these animals, their hearts healed better than normal mice.
Scientists believe that a temporary reduction in mitochondrial activity in the adult heart may contribute to recovery. They hope to soon develop a drug that can reduce MRPS5 production. The antibiotic doxycycline is already known to have this effect.
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