Enzyme ALPK2: A therapeutic target for a lethal form of heart failure

Researchers from the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine identified an enzyme, alpha-kinase 2 (ALPK2) that is specifically expressed in the heart. They found that the enzyme may prevent a stiff heart through activating the gene TPM1 in heart muscle fibers. ALPK2 is a promising new therapeutic target for the treatment of heart failure, especially heart failure with preserved ejection function (HFpEF). The work is published in The FASEB Journal.