Molecular changes in myosin caused by methylmercuric hydrome

Comparative studies on myosin ATPase of a flying and nonflying bird

Myosin was purified from the flight muscles of a flying (pigeon) and a nonflying (fowl) bird. Ki (ADP) of myosin ATPase of pigeon is higher, but the Km (ATP) is lower than that of fowl. The specific activity (mumole of Pi liberated/min/mg protein) is higher for the fowl. A0.5 (CaCl2) of myosin of both pigeon and fowl is similar. However, the two proteins differ in their interactions with ADP, ATP and p-chloromercuribenzoate. The two proteins have the same tyrosine, tryptophan and sulfhydryl contents. The electrophoretic patterns of the two myosins on SDS-polyacrylamide gels are different. These studies show significant molecular differences in the myosin derived from the flight muscles of a flying (pigeon) and a nonflying (fowl) bird.

Mercurial-induced transformation of myosin prevented by adenosine triphosphate and pyrophosphate

Adenosine triphosphate and pyrophosphate prevent the loss of Ca(//)-activated adenosine triphosphatase activity caused by high concentrations of mercurial sulfhydryl reagent. They concomitantly prevent the transformation of myosin into faster-sedimenting products. This is adduced as support for the hypothesis that the strategic sulfhydryl group is not binding adenosine triphosphate at the active site, but is initiating a conformational change upon its reaction with the mercurial reagent.