A Supramolecular Polymerization Approach to the Growth of the Myofibril

Frontiers in Chemistry
Alberto Ciferri, Alvin L Crumbliss

Abstract

Extended linear structures self-assemble by the multi-stage-open-association mechanism of supramolecular polymerization (MSOA). Application of the model requires the identification of a repeating unit, the main-chain supramolecular bond, and the binding constant. The strength of the bond and the degree of polymerization become extremely large when multiple sites for non-covalent interactions occur. These expectations had been previously verified in the case of the neuronal axon, for which the above parameters were assessed from its known molecular structure. The more complex case of the myofibril is analyzed here. The specific interactions that connect neighboring sarcomers have been a matter of debate. Recent work has focused on the bond between titin and α-actinin localized at the terminal Z-zones of each sarcomer. Elaboration of literature data suggests that titin-α-actinin interactions do bridge neighboring sarcomers, promoting the polymerization of myofibrils that attain macroscopic dimensions consistently with the MSOA predictions. The rationale for the complex structuration of single sarcomers is discussed.

References

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Dec 18, 2018·Frontiers in Chemistry·Alberto Ciferri, Alvin L Crumbliss

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Citations

Feb 23, 2020·Molecules : a Journal of Synthetic Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry·Alberto Ciferri, Alvin L Crumbliss

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
fluorescence imaging
optical tweezers

Software Mentioned

ALC

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