Cardiomyocyte contractile impairment in heart failure results from reduced BAG3-mediated sarcomeric protein turnover

Decreased expression of BAG3 in the heart is associated with contractile dysfunction and heart failure. Here the authors show that this is due to decreased BAG3-dependent sarcomere protein turnover, which impairs mechanical function, and that sarcomere force-generating capacity is restored with BAG3 gene therapy.