Structural alterations of thin actin filaments in muscle contraction by synchrotron X-ray fiber diffraction.
Strong evidence has been accumulated that the conformational changes of the thin actin filaments are occurring and playing an important role in the entire process of muscle contraction. The conformational changes and the mechanical properties of the thin actin filaments we have found by X-ray fiber diffraction on skeletal muscle contraction are explored. Recent studies on the conformational changes of regulatory proteins bound to actin filaments upon activation and in the force generation process are also described. Finally, the roles of structural alterations and dynamics of the actin filaments are discussed in conjunction with the regulation mechanism and the force generation mechanism.
Wakabayashi
Katsuzo
K
Division of Biophysical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan.
Sugimoto
Yasunobu
Y
Takezawa
Yasunori
Y
Ueno
Yutaka
Y
Minakata
Shiho
S
Oshima
Kanji
K
Matsuo
Tatsuhito
T
Kobayashi
Takakazu
T
D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D000199:Actins