Links in the chain: the contribution of kettin to the elasticity of insect muscles

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2000:481:207-18; discussion 219-20. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4615-4267-4_12.

Abstract

Asynchronous flight muscle fibers are activated by periodic stretches and need to be stiff for strain to be transmitted to the contractile system. Kettin associated with thin filaments and projectin with thick filaments contribute to fiber stiffness. Kettin extends along thin filaments with the N-terminus in the Z-disc and the C-terminus outside. C filaments connecting thick filaments to the Z-disc contain projectin but not kettin. Insect flight myofibrils have a titin PEVK epitope which is only exposed on stretch, suggesting it is short and inaccessible. It is concluded that kettin stiffens thin filaments near the Z-disc and projectin and titin provide elasticity to C filaments.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Connectin
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Elasticity
  • Flight, Animal
  • Insect Proteins / chemistry
  • Insect Proteins / physiology*
  • Insecta
  • Muscle Proteins / chemistry
  • Muscle Proteins / physiology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Protein Kinases / chemistry
  • Protein Kinases / physiology

Substances

  • Connectin
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • sls protein, Drosophila
  • Protein Kinases