Samantha Pitt

Dr Samantha Pitt

Senior Lecturer in Molecular Medicine

Tel: 01334 463156

Research Summary

In healthy individuals, the controlled release of calcium causes the heart to beat strongly. In heart failure and fatal arrhythmias the release of calcium becomes erratic leading to weakened contraction of heart muscle and cell death. Using a combination of low noise electrophysiological recordings in combination with molecular and biochemical methods, my group investigates intracellular calcium dynamics and the molecular function of ion channels that are involved in the control and regulation of calcium-release from intracellular stores. The aim of our research is to try to understand what happens to channel function under pathophysiological conditions.

We currently have two main areas of research:

1. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of NAADP-regulated signalling via Two Pore Channels

Recent research has discovered that a biological agent called “nicotinic acid dinucleotide phosphate” (NAADP) causes the release of calcium by opening a newfamily of pore forming proteins called two pore channels (TPCs) located on acidic intracellular calcium stores. The mechanism of NAADP-regulated signalling via TPCs is not well understood. In humans there are two isoforms of TPC (TPC1 and TPC2) and we are currently investigating the single-channel behaviour of these putative Ca²⁺-release channels. Owing to their Ca²⁺-handling properties aberrant TPC function may impact on diseases where disruption of Ca²⁺-signals are central, including cytotoxicity and cell death, heart failure, and neurodegenerative processes. Furthermore, genetic studies have linked the gene coding TPC2 to hearing defects and cancer. Understanding the role of TPCs in regulating calcium-release will enable the design of drugs that can manipulate the release of calcium via these channels and help combat diseases associated with abnormal calcium-movements.

2. Zinc is at the heart of cellular calcium dynamics

We are also interested in how Zn²⁺modulates Ca²⁺-signalling in the heart. Aberrant Zn²⁺-homeostasis is a hallmark of certain cardiomyopathies associated with altered contractile force and is likely a consequence of altered excitation-contraction coupling. How Zn²⁺ impacts upon the contractile force and the release of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores in cardiac muscle is unknown. Our latest findings suggest that physiological concentrations of Zn²⁺ modify the function of both the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) and Mitsugumin 23 (MG23). We hypothesise that this change in channel gating may lead to unregulated Ca²⁺ leakage from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and that this is a major contributor to the generation of cardiac arrhythmias. Using a combination of electrophysiological techniques, molecular biology and cardiac live cell/slice imaging we are currently investigating how Zn²⁺shapes cellular Ca²⁺dynamics in the heart.

Lab Members

External Collaborations

Professor Hiroshi Takeshima – Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Kyoto University, Japan
Dr Richard Rainbow – Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester
Dr Colin Murdoch – School of Medicine, University of Dundee
Professor Antony Galione – Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford

Recent Grants

Our research is funded by the British Heart Foundation, BBSRC

Recent Publications

6 Does mitsugumin 23 play a role in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity
Abraham, K., Dorward, A. M., Hurst, Q. & Pitt, S. J., 22 Mar 2023, In: Heart. 109, 2
Research output: Contribution to journal › Abstract › peer-review

A rare missense variant in the ATP2C2 gene is associated with language impairment and related measures
Martinelli, A., Rice, M., Talcott, J. B., Diaz, R., Smith, S., Hashim Raza, M., Snowling, M. J., Hulme, C., Stein, J., Hayiou-Thomas, M. E., Hawi, Z., Kent, L., Pitt, S. J., Newbury, D. F. & Paracchini, S., 15 Jun 2021, In: Human Molecular Genetics. 30, 12, p. 1160–1171 12 p., ddab111.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Albumin-mediated alteration of plasma zinc speciation by fatty acids modulates blood clotting in type-2 diabetes
Sobczak, A. I. S., Katundu, K. G. H., Phoenix, F. A., Khazaipoul, S., Yu, R., Lampiao, F., Stefanowicz, F., Blindauer, C. A., Pitt, S. J., Smith, T. K., Ajjan, R. A. & Stewart, A. J., 21 Mar 2021, In: Chemical Science. 12, 11, p. 4079-4093 15 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Deep tissue contractility sensing with biointegrated microlasers
Schubert, M., Woolfson, L., Barnard, I. R. M., Dorward, A. M., Casement, B., Caixeiro, S., Morton, A., Robertson, G. B., Appleton, P. L., Miles, G. B., Tucker, C. S., Pitt, S. J. & Gather, M. C., 2021, Novel Techniques in Microscopy, NTM 2021. The Optical Society, NW3C.2. (Optics InfoBase Conference Papers).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Levothyroxine treatment and the risk of cardiac arrhythmias – focus on the patient submitted to thyroid surgery
Gluvic, Z., Obradovic, M., Stewart, A. J., Essack, M., Pitt, S. J., Samardzic, V., Soskic, S., Gojobori, T. & Isenovic, E. R., 4 Nov 2021, In: Frontiers in Endocrinology. 12, 12 p., 758043.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Lipidomic profiling of plasma free fatty acids in type-1 diabetes highlights specific changes in lipid metabolism
Sobczak, A. I. S., Pitt, S. J., Smith, T. K., Ajjan, R. A. & Stewart, A. J., Jan 2021, In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. 1866, 1, 9 p., 158823.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

A rare missense variant in the ATP2C2 gene is associated with developmental language disorder (DLD)
Martinelli, A., Rice, M., Smith, S., Talcott, J., Stein, J., Kent, L., Hayiou-Thomas, M., Newbury, D., Hulme, C., Pitt, S. & Paracchini, S., 1 Dec 2020, p. 396-397. 2 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review

Monitoring contractility in cardiac tissue with cellular resolution using biointegrated microlasers
Schubert, M., Woolfson, L., Barnard, I. R. M., Dorward, A., Casement, B., Morton, A., Robertson, G. B., Appleton, P. L., Miles, G. B., Tucker, C. S., Pitt, S. J. & Gather, M. C., Jul 2020, In: Nature Photonics. 14, 7, p. 452–458 12 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Plasma non-esterified fatty acids contribute to increased coagulability in type-2 diabetes through altered plasma zinc speciation
Sobczak, A. I. S., Katundu, K. G. H., Phoenix, F. A., Khazaipoul, S., Yu, R., Lampiao, F., Stefanowicz, F., Blindauer, C. A., Pitt, S. J., Smith, T. K., Ajjan, R. A. & Stewart, A. J., 27 Jul 2020, In: biorxiv. 2019, 38 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Reduced plasma magnesium levels in type-1 diabetes associate with prothrombotic changes in fibrin clotting and fibrinolysis
Sobczak, A. I. S., Phoenix, F. A., Pitt, S. J., Ajjan, R. A. & Stewart, A. J., Feb 2020, In: Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 120, 2, p. 243-252 10 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

A family of Type VI secretion system effector proteins that form ion-selective pores
Mariano, G., Trunk, K., Williams, D. J., Monlezun, L., Strah, H., Pitt, S. J. & Coulthurst, S. J., 2 Dec 2019, In: Nature Communications. 10, 15 p., 5484.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Allosteric activation of an ion channel triggered by modification of mechanosensitive nano-pockets
Kapsalis, C., Wang, B., El Mkami, H., Pitt, S. J., Schnell, J., Smith, T. K., Lippiat, J., Bode, B. E. & Pliotas, C., 10 Oct 2019, In: Nature Communications. 10, 14 p., 4619.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Functional characterization of ATP2C2, a risk factor for language disorders
Martinelli, A., Diaz, R., Feliciotti, I., Pitt, S. & Paracchini, S., 2019, In: European Neuropsychopharmacology. 29, p. 1194-1195 2 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Abstract › peer-review

Microlaser-based contractility sensing in single cardiomyocytes and whole hearts
Schubert, M., Woolfson, L., Barnard, I. R. M., Morton, A., Casement, B., Robertson, G. B., Miles, G. B., Pitt, S. J., Tucker, C. S. & Gather, M. C., 22 Jul 2019, Novel biophotonics techniques and applications V. Amelink, A. & Nadkarni, S. K. (eds.). SPIE, 3 p. 110750C. (Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE; vol. 11075).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Microlaser-based contractility sensing in single cardiomyocytes and whole hearts
Schubert, M., Woolfson, L., Barnard, I. R. M., Morton, A., Casement, B., Robertson, G. B., Miles, G. B., Pitt, S. J., Tucker, C. S. & Gather, M. C., 8 Apr 2019, Novel Techniques in Microscopy - Proceedings Biophotonics Congress: Optics in the Life Sciences Congress 2019 (BODA, BRAIN, NTM, OMA, OMP). Optical Society of American (OSA), NM4C.2. (Novel Techniques in Microscopy - Proceedings Biophotonics Congress: Optics in the Life Sciences Congress 2019 (BODA, BRAIN, NTM, OMA, OMP)).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Total plasma magnesium, zinc, copper and selenium concentrations in type-I and type-II diabetes
Sobczak, A. I. S., Stefanowicz, F., Pitt, S. J., Ajjan, R. A. & Stewart, A. J., Feb 2019, In: BioMetals. 32, 1, p. 123-138 16 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Glycosaminoglycan neutralization in coagulation control
Sobczak, A. I. S., Pitt, S. J. & Stewart, A. J., Jun 2018, In: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 38, 6, p. 1258-1270 14 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Influence of zinc on glycosaminoglycan neutralisation during coagulation
Sobczak, A. I. S., Pitt, S. J. & Stewart, A. J., Sep 2018, In: Metallomics. 10, 9, p. 1180-1190 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

17ß-Estradiol protects against the effects of a high fat diet on cardiac glucose, lipid and nitric oxide metabolism in rats
Zafirovic, S., Obradovic, M., Sudar-Milovanovic, E., Jovanovic, A., Stanimirovic, J., Stewart, A. J., Pitt, S. J. & Isenovic, E. R., 5 May 2017, In: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 446, p. 12-20 9 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Changes in cardiac Na+/K+-ATPase expression and activity in female rats fed a high fat diet
Jovanovic, A., Obradovic, M., Sudar-Milovanovic, E., Stewart, A. J., Pitt, S. J., Alvantic, D., Aleksic, E. & Isenovic, E. R., Dec 2017, In: Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 436, 1-2, p. 49-58 10 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Dysregulated Zn2+ homeostasis impairs cardiac type-2 ryanodine receptor and mitsugumin 23 functions, leading to sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ leakage
Reilly-O'Donnell, B., Robertson, G. B., Karumbi, A., McIntyre, C., Bal, W., Nishi, M., Takeshima, H., Stewart, A. J. & Pitt, S. J., 11 Aug 2017, In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 292, 32, p. 13361-13373 13 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Influence of a high-fat diet on cardiac iNOS in female rats
Jovanovic, A., Sudar-Milovanovic, E., Obradovic, M., Pitt, S. J., Stewart, A. J., Zafirovic, S., Stanimirovic, J., Radak, D. & Isenovic, E. R., 2017, In: Current Vascular Pharmacology. 15, 5, p. 491-500 10 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Modulation of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae drug efﬂux conduit MtrE
Tamburrino, G., Llabrés, S., Vickery, O., Pitt, S. J. & Zachariae, U., 6 Dec 2017, In: Scientific Reports. 7, 10 p., 17091.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

A high fat diet induces sex-specific differences in hepatic lipid metabolism and nitrite/nitrate in rats
Stanimirovic, J., Obradovic, M., Jovanovic, A., Sudar-Milovanovic, E., Zafirovic, S., Pitt, S. J., Stewart, A. J. & Isenovic, E. R., 1 Apr 2016, In: Nitric Oxide. 54, p. 51-59 9 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Exploring the biophysical evidence that mammalian two pore channels are NAADP-activated calcium-permeable channels
Pitt, S. J., Reilly O'Donnell, B. & Sitsapesan, R., 1 Aug 2016, In: The Journal of Physiology. 594, 15, p. 4171-4179 9 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Response to Qian and Colvin: zinc-mediated regulation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor occurs via multiple binding sites
Woodier, J., Rainbow, R. D., Stewart, A. J. & Pitt, S. J., 19 Feb 2016, In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 291, 8, p. 4267
Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review

Examining a new role for zinc in regulating calcium release in cardiac muscle
Pitt, S. J. & Stewart, A. J., 1 Jun 2015, In: Biochemical Society Transactions. 43, 3, p. 359-363
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Exploring a novel role for zinc in modulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release in skeletal muscle
Robertson, G., Reilly O'Donnell, B. & Pitt, S. J., 2015.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review

Intracellular zinc modulates cardiac ryanodine receptor-mediated calcium release
Woodier, J., Rainbow, R. D., Stewart, A. J. & Pitt, S. J., 10 Jul 2015, In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 290, 28, p. 17599-17610 12 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Zinc controls RyR2 activity during excitation-contraction coupling
Stewart, A. J. & Pitt, S. J., Sep 2015, In: Channels. 9, 5, p. 223-225
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

In vivo effects of 17β-estradiol on cardiac Na+/K+-ATPase expression and activity in rat heart
Obradovic, M., Stewart, A. J., Pitt, S. J., Labudovic-Borovic, M., Sudar, E., Petrovic, V., Zafirovic, S., Maravic-Stojkovic, V., Vasic, V. & Isenovic, E. R., 5 May 2014, In: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 388, 1-2, p. 58-68
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

FKBP12.6 activates RyR1: investigating the amino acid residues critical for channel modulation
Venturi, E., Galfre, E., O'Brien, F., Pitt, S. J., Bellamy, S., Sessions, R. B. & Sitsapesan, R., 18 Feb 2014, In: Biophysical Journal. 106, 4, p. 824-833 10 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Reconstituted human TPC1 is a proton-permeable ion channel and is activated by NAADP or Ca2+
Pitt, S. J., Lam, A. K. M., Rietdorf, K., Galione, A. & Sitsapesan, R., 20 May 2014, In: Science Signaling. 7, 326, ra46.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TPC1 is a proton permeable channel that can be independently activated by cytosolic calcium or NAADP
Pitt, S. J., Lam, A., Galione, A. & Sitsapesan, R., 28 Jan 2014, In: Biophysical Journal. 106, 2, p. 642A-642A 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Abstract › peer-review

TRIC-B channels display labile gating: evidence from the TRIC-A knockout mouse model
Venturi, E., Matyjaszkiewicz, A., Pitt, S. J., Tsaneva-Atanasova, K., Nishi, M., Yamazaki, D., Takeshima, H. & Sitsapesan, R., Aug 2013, In: Pflügers Archiv: European Journal of Physiology. 465, 8, p. 1135-1148
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review