Cyclin D in left ventricle hypertrophy.

Left ventricle hypertrophy is induced by a number of stimuli and can lead to cardio-myopathy and heart failure. The hypertrophic response is achieved by enlargement of the cardiac myocytes and is regulated by multiple signaling pathways, with the D-type cyclins playing a crucial role. Induction of cyclin D in adult cardiac myocytes leads to activation of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 and a partial progress through the cell cycle. Therefore, these pathways are attractive therapeutic target for treatment of heart failure and hypertrophy. We discuss the activity of cyclin D and other cell cycle regulatory proteins in left ventricle hypertrophy and whether the hypertrophic signaling pathways converge at the D-type cyclins.