Effect of stretching muscle fibers on the conformation of F-actin
Borovikov, I.S.; Chernogriadskaia, N.A.; Kirillina, V.P.
Biofizika 26(5): 912-914
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0006-3029 PMID: 7317482 Document Number: 171180
By means of polarized UV fluorescent microscopy the conformational changes of F-actin of "ghost" glycerinated muscle fibers during the stretching 30 per cent of the resting length was found. It was observed that F-actin of the stretched fibre responds by more marked changes in their structure to ATP, glutaraldehyde and glycerin as compared to F-actin of the unstretched fibre. It was assumed that the fibre stretching changes the spatial characteristics of actin helix and increases the rigidity of thin filaments. The changes of F-actin conformation seems to play an important role in the regulation of tension level which is developed by each cross-bridge.