Melusin Modulates Fatty Acids Β-Oxidation and ROS Production in the Heart

Background: Melusin is a small-chaperone protein selectively expressed in the heart and skeletal muscles. In the heart, melusin plays a protective role in different pathologic conditions. Indeed, previous experiments in several pre-clinical models indicated that melusin overexpression prevents cardiac dilation and fibrotic tissue deposition, cardiomyocytes apoptosis and sustains a compensatory hypertrophic response with retained contractile function.