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Calcium-activated and stretch-induced force responses in two biochemically defined muscle fibre types of the Norway lobster

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Summary

Mechanical properties of thin (<80 μm) myofibrillar bundles from single rehydrated freeze-dried fibres of the superficial abdominal flexor muscle of the lobster Nephrops norvegicus have been measured, and subsequently the protein content of these fibres has been analysed by SDS-PAGE. Two slow fibre phenotypes can be distinguished on the basis of their myofibrillar assemblages and sarcomere length (type S1: 6.0–7.5 μm, type S2: 8.0–10.9 μm). Differences (means ± sd, average of seven fibres of each type) were observed in the kinetics for Ca2+ activation (half time of force development (ms); S1: 416±174; S2: 762±199 plus a delay of 280±130) and relaxation (half time of force decay (ms); S1: 162±75, S2: 257±53), for Ca2+ sensitivity of force generation (-log [Ca2+] for half maximal activation; S1: 5.40±0.12; S2: 5.55±0.08), and of the kinetics of stretch activation (delay of the peak of stretch-induced force increase (ms); S1: 91±30; S2: 493±436). From these results and partly also in combination with previously obtained mechanical data on intact fibres it can be concluded (1) that S2 fibres are specialized for long-lasting force maintenance whereas S1 fibres are adapted for slow movements; (2) intrinsic myofibrillar kinetics is not the main time-limiting factor for either activation or relaxation of intact fibres under physiological conditions; (3) processes which precede crossbridge cycling seem to be the main time-limiting factors for the Ca2+ activation of the myofibrils.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoologisches Institut, Universität Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria

    Stefan Galler

  2. Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

    Douglas M. Neil

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  1. Stefan Galler
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  2. Douglas M. Neil
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Galler, S., Neil, D.M. Calcium-activated and stretch-induced force responses in two biochemically defined muscle fibre types of the Norway lobster. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 15, 390–399 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00122113

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