L Michel Espinoza-Fonseca, PhD

 L Michel M Espinoza-Fonseca
Associate Professor
Email:
[email protected]
Available to mentor
L Michel Espinoza-Fonseca, PhD
L Michel M Espinoza-Fonseca
Associate Professor
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  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications

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    • About

    The goal of the Espinoza-Fonseca group is to understand the fundamental molecular motions and interactions that are responsible for regulating calcium transport in muscle cells, and to design effective molecular therapies to treat human diseases associated with dysregulation of calcium transport in heart failure. We approach these multidisciplinary problems with a combination of computational methods and experimental techniques.

    Center Memberships
    • Center Member
      Samuel and Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center
    • Center Member
      Frankel Institute for Heart and Brain Health

    Research Overview

    - Mechanisms and therapeutic modulation of calcium transport proteins
    - SERCA regulation in cardiovascular and metabolic disease
    - Structure-guided discovery of heart failure therapeutics
    - Structural dynamics and allosteric regulation of membrane proteins
    - Multi-scale cardiovascular biophysics: molecules to cells and disease models

    Recent Publications

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    • Journal Article
      Distinct Inhibitory Effects of Statin Lactones on Ca2+- and Na+/K+-ATPases.
      Cruz-Cortés C, Šeflová J, Espinoza-Fonseca LM. Molecules, 2026 Sep 26; 31 (19): DOI:10.3390/molecules31193423
      PMID: PMC13665960
    • Journal Article
      Discovery of Ro 41‐0960, a Non‐Steroidal Inhibitor of the Na <sup>+</sup> /K <sup>+</sup> ‐ATPase
      Cruz‐Cortés C, Šeflová J, Guerrero‐Serna G, Jimenez‐Vazquez EN, Anumonwo J, Espinoza‐Fonseca LM. ChemMedChem, 2026 Sep 30; 21 (17): DOI:10.1002/cmdc.70442
    • Patent
      SERCA ACTIVATORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF DISEASE
      Espinoza-Fonseca LM, Cruz-Cortes C, Ard A, Clasby M. 2026 Apr 28;
    • Preprint
      Supercharging the calcium pump: Identification of an activation hotspot on SERCA by cryo-EM.
      Nguyen VH, Cruz-Cortés C, Primeau JO, Lemieux MJ, Espinoza-Fonseca LM, Young HS. 2026 Feb 6; DOI:10.64898/2026.02.05.703879
      PMID: 41676622
    • Journal Article
      Small-Molecule Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase Activators Reverse Methylglyoxal-Induced Inhibition through Nonantioxidant Mechanisms
      Cruz-Cortés C, Micháliková S, Rezbáriková P, Espinoza-Fonseca LM, Viskupičová J. Chemmedchem, 2026 Jan 1; 21 (1): DOI:10.1002/cmdc.202500968
      PMID: 41319342
    • Journal Article
      Dual Modulation of Cardiac Ion Pumps: A Small-Molecule SERCA2a SUMOylation Enhancer Also Inhibits the Na+/K+-ATPase
      Cruz-Cortés C, Šeflová J, Espinoza-Fonseca LM. Biomedicines, 2025 Dec 1; 13 (12): DOI:10.3390/biomedicines13123036
    • Journal Article
      MYBPC3 N-terminal missense mutations linked to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy strengthen actin binding and enhance residue mobility
      Kanassatega RS, Bunch TA, Wong FL, Espinoza-Fonseca LM, Colson BA. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2025 Dec 1; 301 (12): DOI:10.1016/j.jbc.2025.110855
      PMID: 41135679
    • Journal Article
      Allosteric Modulation of SERCA Pumps in Health and Disease: Structural Dynamics, Posttranslational Modifications, and Therapeutic Potential
      Viskupicova J, Espinoza-Fonseca LM. Journal of Molecular Biology, 2025 Oct 15; 437 (20): DOI:10.1016/j.jmb.2025.169200
      PMID: 40349954