Cardiomyocyte contractile impairment in heart failure results from reduced BAG3-mediated sarcomeric protein turnover

Abstract

Decreased expression of BAG3 in the heart is associated with contractile dysfunction and heart failure. Here the authors show that this is due to decreased BAG3-dependent sarcomere protein turnover, which impairs mechanical function, and that sarcomere force-generating capacity is restored with BAG3 gene therapy.