A newly uncovered gene switch rewires infant heart cells and opens a treatment path for a deadly disease

Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC have made an important advance toward understanding—and potentially treating—a rare cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) that is present from birth. The condition, known as AARS2-related cardiomyopathy, is caused by inherited mutations in the alanyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetase 2 (AARS2) gene and is often fatal within the first year of life. Currently, no treatment or cure exists.