Junctin (JCN) and triadin (TRD) share similar structures and they both function to anchor calsequestrin (CSQ) to the ryanodine receptor (RyR) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) quaternary Ca-release complex. In failing human hearts, JCN and TRD protein levels are markedly decreased, implicating alterations in SR Ca-cycling and contractility. To address the role of combined JCN and TRD down-regulation in cardiac function, we generated and characterized a murine model deficient in both JCN and TRD. The double-knockout (DKO) mice presented lower body weight, poor fertility, and an apparent cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, deficiency of both JCN/TRD was associated with decreased peak Ca transient amplitude (34%), prolonged transient decay time (48%) and reduced caffeine-induced SR Ca-release. This depressed contractility was also confirmed at the intact organ (Langendorff perfusion) and whole animal (by echocardiography and catheterization) levels. Furthermore, examination of the properties of Ca sparks, which are informative of ryanodine receptor (RyR) gating , revealed increased frequency in the DKO myocytes, which indicated a larger opening probability of RyR. These findings suggest that the combined JCN/TRD-deficiency is associated with leaky RyR and depressed cardiac Ca-cycling, which may contribute to the progression of heart failure. This research has received full or partial funding support from the American Heart Association, AHA National Center. Table 1. Hemodynamic parameters from echocardiography and catheterization