We plan to continue current physico-chemical studies on the molecular mechanism of force-generation in vertebrate skeletal muscle. In these studies, we hope to test the helix-coil model proposed for force-generation in muscle and compare the results with those expected according to the classical rotating cross- bridge mechanism. An infrared, iodine photodissociation laser will be used to heat fibers (approximately 5 degrees C) under 1 mu sec and the coupling between transient melting in (the S-2 region of) rigor cross-bridges and the development of tension will be investigated in detail. Experiments will be carried out under ionic conditions where the S-2 elements of rigor bridges are stabilized by association with the thick filament backbone and where they are released from the backbone at various temperatures and sarcomere lengths. The kinetic constants and amplitudes of the force transients will be compared to those of activated fibers under a variety of environmental conditions in these two states in an attempt to demonstrate the presence or absence of common features which could distinguish between the two mechanisms. We also plan to continue our investigations of cross-linking of the rod segments within the thick filament core of glycerinated rigor fibers in an attempt to decouple force generation in the S-2 and S-1 regions of the cross-bridges. The effect of polyclonal antibodies specific to the S-2 region of myosin on contractile force in glycerinated fibers is also under study. These experiments, like the cross-linking studies, are designed to determine whether modulation of S-2 binding of a cycling bridge to the thick filament surface has a direct effect on force-generation. The long range goal of these studies is to understand the process of muscle contraction at a fundamental level. An understanding of this process has wide-ranging medical implications.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37AR004349-32
Application #
3481359
Study Section
Biophysical Chemistry Study Section (BBCB)
Project Start
1977-09-01
Project End
1992-08-31
Budget Start
1991-09-01
Budget End
1992-08-31
Support Year
32
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
045911138
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Rapp, G J; Davis, J S (1996) X-ray diffraction studies on thermally induced tension generation in rigor muscle. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 17:617-29
Davis, J S; Rodgers, M E (1995) Indirect coupling of phosphate release to de novo tension generation during muscle contraction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 92:10482-6
Davis, J S; Rodgers, M E (1995) Force generation and temperature-jump and length-jump tension transients in muscle fibers. Biophys J 68:2032-40
Davis, J S; Harrington, W F (1993) A single order-disorder transition generates tension during the Huxley-Simmons phase 2 in muscle. Biophys J 65:1886-98
Harrington, W F; Karr, T; Busa, W B (1993) Effect of cross-linking on the contractile behavior of myofibrils. Adv Exp Med Biol 332:603-12;discussion 612-3
Davis, J S; Harrington, W F (1993) Kinetic and physical characterization of force generation in muscle: a laser temperature-jump and length-jump study on activated and contracting rigor fibers. Adv Exp Med Biol 332:513-24;discussion 525-6
Davis, J S (1993) Myosin thick filaments and subunit exchange: a stochastic simulation based on the kinetics of assembly. Biochemistry 32:4035-42
Sugi, H; Kobayashi, T; Gross, T et al. (1992) Contraction characteristics and ATPase activity of skeletal muscle fibers in the presence of antibody to myosin subfragment 2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 89:6134-7
Harrington, W F; Karr, T; Busa, W B et al. (1990) Contraction of myofibrils in the presence of antibodies to myosin subfragment 2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 87:7453-6
Lovell, S; Karr, T; Harrington, W F (1988) Suppression of contractile force in muscle fibers by antibody to myosin subfragment 2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 85:1849-53