O067 STARS SiRNA knockdown altered cardiac hypertrophy associated gene expression in cardiac myoblasts and rendered cells susceptible to hydrogen peroxide induced cell death

Abstract

Changes in calcium signalling and reactivation of foetal genes is frequently associated with maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Striated muscle activator of Rho signalling (STARS) is highly enriched in muscles. Ventricular STARS is transiently upregulated (1 hr) after pressure overload by aortic banding, prior to detectable increase in left ventricular mass. Transgenic mouse studies indicated STARS is involved in the transition from left ventricular hypertrophy to heart failure. STARS knockdown in zebrafish resulted in severe cardiac abnormalities and ectopic over-expression of STARS led to cellular hypertrophy in cardiac myoblasts.