Muscle assembly: a titanic achievement?

Curr Opin Cell Biol. 1999 Feb;11(1):18-25. doi: 10.1016/s0955-0674(99)80003-9.

Abstract

The formation of perfectly aligned myofibrils in striated muscle represents a dramatic example of supramolecular assembly in eukaryotic cells. Recently, considerable progress has been made in deciphering the roles that titin, the third most abundant protein in muscle, has in this process. An increasing number of sarcomeric proteins (ligands) are being identified that bind to specific titin domains. Titin may serve as a molecular blueprint for sarcomere assembly and turnover by specifying the precise position of its ligands within each half-sarcomere in addition to functioning as a molecular spring that maintains the structural integrity of the contracting myofibrils.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Connectin
  • Ligands
  • Models, Biological
  • Morphogenesis
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism
  • Muscle Proteins / physiology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Myofibrils / chemistry
  • Myofibrils / physiology*
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Kinases / physiology*
  • Sarcomeres / metabolism

Substances

  • Connectin
  • Ligands
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • nebulin
  • Protein Kinases