Cyclin D2 induces proliferation of cardiac myocytes and represses hypertrophy.

The myocytes of the adult mammalian heart are considered unable to divide. Instead, mitogens induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We have investigated the effect of adenoviral overexpression of cyclin D2 on myocyte proliferation and morphology.

Involvement of cyclin D activity in left ventricle hypertrophy in vivo and in vitro.

Objective: Cardiac hypertrophy is induced by a number of stimuli and can lead to cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Present knowledge suggests that cell-cycle regulatory proteins take part in hypertrophy. We have investigated if the D-type cyclins are involved in cardiac hypertrophy.