Phospholamban pentamerization increases sensitivity and dynamic range of cardiac relaxation.

Pentamerization of PLN adds to the regulation of cardiac contractile function and facilitates myocardial transition to an energy saving mode during resting phases. Thus, PLN pentamers would protect cardiomyocytes from energetic deficits, and they improve stress adaptation of the heart as shown for sustained pressure overload in this study. Strategies that target PLN pentamerization promise therapeutic potential in the treatment of myocardial maladaptation to stress as well as cardiac pathologies associated with altered monomer-to-pentamer ratios, e.g., cardiomyopathies due to PLN mutations, certain types of heart failure, and aged hearts.