ISSN:
1573-2657
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary When a small bundle of glycerol-extracted fibres from either frog, tortoise or rabbit skeletal muscle was first exposed to high MgATP (5mm) in the absence of Ca2+ (〈1nm) and at low ionic strength (〈0.11) at 20° C, it produced a single sharp transient contraction followed by a lower maintained isometric tension. The maintained tension was investigated further in rabbit psoas fibres. Ca2+-free tension was dependent on the ionic strength in the range 0.04–0.10, on the temperature in the range 6–20° C and the free Mg2+ in the range 0–6mm. It was promoted by low ionic strength, low Mg2+ and high temperature, and was unaffected by varying the MgATP2− in the range 0.4–4mm and by adding ATP regenerating components. A separate regime of tension generation was detected at MgATP2− concentrations of less than 0.1mm, in which MgATP2− concentration was critical. The results are interpreted on the assumption that binding of Mg2+ to some component of the regulatory system is necessary to maintain its inhibitory effect in the absence of Ca2+. Ionic strength and temperature, on the other hand, may affect actomyosin directly.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00712114
