Diffraction ellipsometry studies of osmotically compressed muscle fibers

Microstructural features of relaxed, skinned muscle fibers compressed with polyvinylpyrrolidone were examined by optical diffraction ellipsometry. This technique is sensitive to the optical anisotropy within the muscle, including that due to intrinsic properties of the protein molecules as well as t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pflügers Archiv 1990-08, Vol.416 (6), p.679-688
Main Authors: KERR, W. L, BASKIN, R. J, YEH, Y
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Birefringence
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Muscles - cytology
Muscles - physiology
Muscles - ultrastructure
Myosin Subfragments - chemistry
Myosin Subfragments - physiology
Optical Rotation
Osmotic Pressure
Rana pipiens
Sarcomeres - physiology
Sarcomeres - ultrastructure
Striated muscle. Tendons
Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
X-Ray Diffraction
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Summary:Microstructural features of relaxed, skinned muscle fibers compressed with polyvinylpyrrolidone were examined by optical diffraction ellipsometry. This technique is sensitive to the optical anisotropy within the muscle, including that due to intrinsic properties of the protein molecules as well as that due to the regular arrangement of proteins in the surrounding medium. The change in polarization state of light after interacting with the muscle is described by the differential field ratio (DFR) and birefringence (delta n). Compression of single fibers (sarcomere length = 2.6 microns) with 0%-21% polyvinylpyrrolidone caused an increase of up to 23% and 31% for DFR and delta n, respectively. The largest increase in both parameters occurred at intermediate sarcomere lengths. Theoretical modelling of the results suggest that the average S-1 tilt angle may be reduced upon compression of the filament lattice. This is supported by experiments in which S-1 was enzymatically cleaved with alpha-chymotrypsin. Separate experiments comparing fibers with intact membranes and skinned fibers compressed to an equivalent lattice spacing showed little difference in DFR or delta n.
ISSN:0031-6768
1432-2013
DOI:10.1007/BF00370615