Investigating the role of PP2A-B55α in the heart

This thesis investigates the role of an enzyme known as B55α in the heart. First, B55α was studied in the whole heart using mouse models. It was discovered that B55α regulates growth of heart muscle cells in response to stress. This response differed between male and female mice, demonstrating sex-dependent roles for this enzyme in cardiac biology. Molecular profiling experiments identified several novel targets of the B55α enzyme in heart muscle cells. Findings from this thesis point to an important role for B55α in heart function and provide a foundation for further study in settings of heart disease and failure.