# Translational Control of Cardiac Excitability

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2022 · $703,976

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The regular beating of the heart requires the orchestrated expression of ion channel ensembles specific for
ventricular repolarization, pacemaking, conduction and other functions. Recent progress establishes a new
way in which channel expression is coordinated. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that a
“microtranslatome” of interacting mRNA species encodes functionally related proteins, such as those
producing the ventricular action potential. These ion channels assemble cotranslationally into macromolecular
complexes that govern higher-order cardiac excitability. The aims of the proposal are to resolve components of
cotranslational complexes mediating cardiac repolarization using single-molecule fluorescence in situ
hybridization combined with protein immunofluorescence (smFISH/IF) in both embryonic (iPSC) and adult
cardiomyocytes. Hypotheses regarding the composition, stoichiometry and cellular localization of these
complexes will be tested. Whether such complexes regulate other cardiac functions, such as pacemaking, will
be determined. Mechanisms mediating mRNA association, such as candidate RNA binding proteins (RBPs)
identified with affinity-capture mass spectrometry, and direct mRNA interactions, will be resolved. These
studies are expected to illuminate new mechanisms by which cardiac excitability is controlled and identify novel
targets for disease and therapeutic development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10367512
- **Project number:** 2R01HL131403-05A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Gail A Robertson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $703,976
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2016-07-15 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10367512

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10367512, Translational Control of Cardiac Excitability (2R01HL131403-05A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10367512. Licensed CC0.

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