This work addresses the molecular mechanisms by which contraction of heart and skeletal muscles is regulated, as well as the modulation of these mechanisms by important (patho)physiological variables such as ionic composition of the myoplasm and phosphorylations of contractile and regulatory proteins. For the novice, this volume includes chapters that summarize understanding of excitation-contraction coupling in striated muscles, as well as the compositions and structures myofibrillar thick and thin filaments. For the expert, this volume presents detailed pictures of understanding of the mechanisms underlying the CA2+ regulation of contraction in heart and skeletal muscles and discusses important directions for future investigation.
