Direct observation of a central bare zone in a native thick filament isolated from the anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilus edulis using fluorescent ATP analogue

Journal of Biochemistry
Kazuhiro OiwaA Yamada

Abstract

To investigate the existence of a central bare zone in native thick filaments isolated from the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), the filaments were observed by fluorescence and dark-field microscopy after being incubated in the presence of Ca2+ with the fluorescent ATP analogue, Cy3-EDA-ATP. Filaments appeared under dark-field illumination as thin rods with tapered ends of length 5-30 microm. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that Cy3-EDA-ATP was bound to these filaments, except near their center. Although the boundary between this central non-fluorescent zone and fluorescent regions was not clearly defined, there was a trend for the width of the central non-fluorescent zone to increase with thick filament length (correlation coefficient = 0.45; n = 142). When Cy3-EDA-nucleotides bound to thick filaments were displaced by excess ATP, fluorescent images disappeared with a rate constant of 0. 024 s-1, close to the turnover rate of Cy3-EDA-ATP by myosin on the native thick filaments. These results indicate that each native thick filament isolated from the ABRM has a central bare zone, but its boundary was not sharply resolved.

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.