# Research supplement to promote diversity in Heath-related research

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE · 2021 · $38,023

## Abstract

Abstract
The goal of this research supplement is to complement the aims of the parent R01 by directly examining the
formation of the inhibited state of cardiac myosin, super-relaxed state (SRX), and to examine the influence of
cMyBP-C and disease mutations on the formation/stabilization of this key structural state. The importance of
understanding the role of cMyBP-C in cardiac contractility is highlighted by work demonstrating that its
phosphorylation state plays a role in enhancing contractility and during heart failure decreased phosphorylation
likely contributes to contractile defects. cMyBP-C is proposed to influence the cardiac myosin SRX in a
phosphorylation dependent manner. In this proposal we will design a FRET biosensor of the SRX which will
allow direct examination of the influence of cMyBP-C on this crucially important conformation of myosin. We will
also examine hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) mutations in the cardiac myosin S2 region known to interact
with cMyBP-C. In Aim 1 we will characterize the FRET biosensor by correlating the FRET signal with other
measurements of the SRX, such as actin-activated ATPase and single turnover ATPase assays. We will vary
the ionic strength and examine the drug Omecamtiv Mercarbil to demonstrate that the FRET sensor can be used
to measure the mole fraction of cardiac myosin in the SRX conformation. In Aim 2 we will introduce HCM
mutations into the S2 region and examine their impact on the formation/stabilization of the SRX. Finally we will
also examine if cMyBP-C can alter the HCM mutants response to formation/stabilization of the SRX. Overall, the
proposal will greatly complement the parent R01 by providing direct measurements of myosin structure which
will be crucial for interpreting the studies of cMyBP-C role in thick and thin filament regulation of muscle
contraction.
AIM #1. Examine the formation of the super-relaxed state (SRX) by FRET in human cardiac myosin.
AIM #2. Examine the functional impact of HCM mutations in the S2 region of cardiac myosin.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10221154
- **Project number:** 3R01HL150953-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Sivaraj Sivaramakrishnan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $38,023
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-06-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10221154

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10221154, Research supplement to promote diversity in Heath-related research (3R01HL150953-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10221154. Licensed CC0.

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