Contractile protein phenotypic variation during development

A diverse set of contractile protein genes and alternatively spliced isoforms is expressed during the process of cardiac maturation. A large variety of functional sarcomeric units may occur at various stages of development, in different regions of the heart and in pathologic states. In this review, the developmental program of individual contractile protein gene families is discussed with an emphasis on the functional effects of maturational changes, particularly in the human myocardium.