Novel role of neuronal Ca^<2+> sensor-1 as a regulator of cardiac function

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Intracellular Ca^<2+> plays key roles in regulating excitation-contraction coupling(EC) and hypertrophy in the heart. In the immature heart, the structure and function of sarcoplasmic reticulum(SR) is immature ; nonetheless, it is considered a primary source of Ca^<2+> for contraction, suggesting the existence of missing factors that promote SR-dependent EC coupling. We showed that neuronal Ca^<2+> sensor-1(NCS-1), a small Ca^<2+> binding protein, which functions in the heart were unknown, is one such regulator that enhances Ca^<2+> signals and contraction in the immature heart. In addition, NCS-1 expression increases in the early stages of hypertrophy in the adult heart and promotes progression of hypertrophy.