Sarcolipin and phospholamban as regulators of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase

The cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA2a) plays a critical role in maintaining the intracellular calcium homeostasis during cardiac contraction and relaxation. It has been well documented over the years that altered expression and activity of SERCA2a can lead to systolic and diastolic dysfunction. The activity of SERCA2a is regulated by two structurally similar proteins, phospholamban (PLB) and sarcolipin (SLN). Although, the relevance of PLB has been extensively studied over the years, the role SLN in cardiac physiology is an emerging field of study. This review focuses on the advances in the understanding of the regulation of SERCA2a by SLN and PLB. In particular, it highlights the similarities and differences between the two proteins and their roles in cardiac patho-physiology.