Research team at the University of Freiburg mapped out the gene regulators in the DNA of human cardiac muscle cells

In order to locate all gene switches, the Freiburg research team used modern sequencing methods to examine the entire genome – DNA, epigenetic markers and RNA – during the development, maturation and disease of human cardiac muscle cells. By analyzing more than a trillion sequencing letters, the team found over 100,000 gene switches. The multitude of data now yields a complete atlas of gene regulators in the life of a cardiac muscle cell. During development and growth, DNA methylation and histone markers control which genes are turned on or off.  The atlas also provides insight into mechanisms that are misdirected in heart disease.  Some regulatory elements are altered in cardiac arrhythmias at the DNA level, for example. In contrast, histones take control in chronic heart failure. In the future, the Freiburg researchers want to identify the most important switches in this atlas in order to treat heart disease.

Original publication:

Ralf Gilsbach, Martin Schwaderer, Sebastian Preissl, Björn A. Grüning, David Kranzhöfer, Pedro Schneider, Thomas G. Nührenberg, Sonia Mulero-Navarro, Dieter Weichenhan, Christian Braun, Martina Dreßen, Adam R. Jacobs, Harald Lahm, Torsten Doenst, Rolf Backofen, Markus Krane, Bruce D. Gelb, Lutz Hein (2018): Distinct epigenetic programs regulate cardiac myocyte development and disease in the human heart in vivo. In: Nature Communications.

SOURCE: University of Freiburg