Nanometer-scale structure differences in the myofilament lattice spacing of two cockroach leg muscles correspond to their different functions.

ABSTRACT: Muscle is highly organized across multiple length scales. Consequently, small changes in the arrangement of myofilaments can influence macroscopic mechanical function. Two leg muscles of a cockroach have identical innervation, mass, twitch responses, length-tension curves and force-velocity relationships. However, during running, one muscle is dissipative (a 'brake'), while the other dissipates and produces significant positive mechanical work (bifunctional). Using time-resolved X-ray diffraction in intact, contracting muscle, we simultaneously measured the myofilament lattice spacing, packing structure and macroscopic force production of these muscles to test whether structural differences in the myofilament lattice might correspond to the muscles' different mechanical functions. While th

SUBMITTER: Tune TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7225125 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature