Role of Ca2+ in the allosteric regulation of platelet actomyosin

The role of Ca²⁺ in regulation of platelet actomyosin ATPase activity has been investigated. The results suggest that Ca²⁺ has at least two roles in the reaction mechanism; (a) it forms a complex with ATP to form the substrate, CaATP and (b) it forms a complex with the protein to activate the enzyme. Both the substrate and free Ca²⁺ bind cooperatively to the protein. The binding of free Ca²⁺ stimulates the enzymic activity and causes a change in the apparent K_m value. The apparent K_m value for CaATP is 0.15mM in the absence of free Ca²⁺ and 0.07mM in the presence of 2.5mM Ca²⁺. Thus Ca²⁺ appears to act as a positive allosteric effector.