Super helix formation of actin filaments in an in vitro motile system. |
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| Authors: | Y Tanaka A Ishijima S Ishiwata |
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| Institution: | Wako Research Center, Honda R&D Co., Ltd., Saitama, Japan. |
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| Abstract: | Muscle contraction results from relative sliding of actin and myosin filaments. However, the possibility that actin filaments twist or rotate during sliding has not yet been experimentally investigated. We found that a super helix of an actin filament is formed in an in vitro motile system. This fact suggests that an actin filament twists and rotates due to a torque component of a sliding force generated at cross-bridges. |
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