Genetics and pathogenic mechanisms of cardiomyopathies in the Drosophila model

Cardiomyopathies are diseases of heart muscle that lead to heart failure. Over the past two decades an increasing number of mutations have been identified in the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathies. Defining the physiological effects of these mutations on heart function and the mechanisms by which they activate pathogenic pathways are goals of ongoing research efforts. Currently, several studies suggest the fruit fly Drosophila is a powerful in vivo model system to study cardiac disease and, in particular, inherited cardiomyopathies. Here, we review the rationale and the utility of Drosophila for studying causal genes associated with cardiomyopathies and the mechanisms of their action.