Step-size of net filament sliding of muscle contraction

Int J Biol Macromol. 2005 Jul;36(1-2):128-30. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2005.03.015.

Abstract

The step-size defined as the movement between actin and myosin filaments per ATP split is an important issue in the research of muscle contraction. According to the conventional swinging-cross-bridge theory by Huxley, the step-size in this sense should be within 40 nm, a maximum possible stroke size of a myosin head, 20 nm, swing through an arc of 180 degrees . Since 1996, the estimated value over 40 nm has not been reported. Recently, however, there have been several discussions based on the one of the smallest values of step-size, 1.7 nm. We carefully re-evaluated the estimation process for the step-size, concluding that the values are still limited within 10-20 nm of conventional swinging-cross-bridge theory: 12.6 nm at no load for frog muscle.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / chemistry*
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • Hot Temperature
  • Hydrolysis
  • Models, Statistical
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Movement
  • Muscle Contraction*
  • Myosins / chemistry*
  • Ranidae
  • Sarcomeres / metabolism
  • Temperature
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Actins
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Myosins