Heart muscle proteins are subject to ext. mechanical forces. Myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C) is associated with diseases like cardiomyopathies.
Research:
Unfolding/refolding of heart muscle proteins experimental using force clamp or force extension AFM or steered molecular dynamics simulations. Unfolding events are determined by the breakage of hydrogen bonds in the so called mechanical clamp (between A’-G strand). Mutation in the force clamp region can cause a weakening of the hydrogen bond network and might reduce the maximal force the domain can withstand.
The application of weak forces below the unfolding threshold can cause the formation of transient pockets that potentially can be druggable to counteract the effect of a mutation.