Coupling between phosphate release and force generation in muscle actomyosin

Phosphate rebinding induces force reversal via slow backward cycling of cross-bridges

Objective

Previous studies on muscle fibers, myofibrils, and myosin revealed that the release of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and the force-generating step(s) are reversible, with cross-bridges also cycling backward through these steps by reversing force-generating steps and rebinding Pi. The aim was to explore the significance of force redevelopment kinetics (rate constant k TR) in cardiac myofibrils for the coupling between the Pi binding induced force reversal and the rate-limiting transition f - for backward cycling of cross-bridges from force-generating to non-force-generating states.

Methods

k TR and force generation of cardiac myofibrils from guinea pigs were investigated at 0.015-20 mM Pi. The observed force-[Pi], force-log [Pi], k TR-[Pi], and k TR-force relations were assessed with various single-pathway models of the cross-bridge cycle that differed in sequence and kinetics of reversible Pi release, reversible force-generating step and reversible rate-limiting transition. Based on the interpretation that k TR reflects the sum of rate-limiting transitions in the cross-bridge cycle, an indicator, the coupling strength, was defined to quantify the contribution of Pi binding induced force reversal to the rate-limiting transition f - from the [Pi]-modulated k TR-force relation.

Results

Increasing [Pi] decreased force by a bi-linear force-log [Pi] relation, increased k TR in a slightly downward curved dependence with [Pi], and altered k TR almost reciprocally to force reflected by the k TR-force relation. Force-[Pi] and force-log [Pi] relations provided less selectivity for the exclusion of models than the k TR-[Pi] and k TR-force relations. The k TR-force relation observed in experiments with cardiac myofibrils yielded the coupling strength +0.84 ± 0.08 close to 1, the maximum coupling strength expected for the reciprocal k TR-force relationship. Single pathway models consisting of fast reversible force generation before or after rapid reversible Pi release failed to describe the observed k TR-force relation. Single pathway models consistent with the observed k TR-force relation had either slow Pi binding or slow force reversal, i.e., in the consistent single pathway models, f - was assigned to the rate of either Pi binding or force reversal.

Conclusion

Backward flux of cross-bridges from force-generating to non-force-generating states is limited by the rates of Pi binding or force reversal ruling out other rate-limiting steps uncoupled from Pi binding induced force reversal.

New insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle fatigue: the Marion J. Siegman Award Lectureships

Skeletal muscle fibers need to have mechanisms to decrease energy consumption during intense physical exercise to avoid devastatingly low ATP levels, with the formation of rigor cross bridges and defective ion pumping. These protective mechanisms inevitably lead to declining contractile function in response to intense exercise, characterizing fatigue. Through our work, we have gained insights into cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the decline in contractile function during acute fatigue. Key mechanistic insights have been gained from studies performed on intact and skinned single muscle fibers and more recently from studies performed and single myosin molecules. Studies on intact single fibers revealed several mechanisms of impaired sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and experiments on single myosin molecules provide direct evidence of how putative agents of fatigue impact myosin's ability to generate force and motion. We conclude that changes in metabolites due to an increased dependency on anaerobic metabolism (e.g., accumulation of inorganic phosphate ions and H+) act to directly and indirectly (via decreased Ca2+ activation) inhibit myosin's force and motion-generating capacity. These insights into the acute mechanisms of fatigue may help improve endurance training strategies and reveal potential targets for therapies to attenuate fatigue in chronic diseases.

Switch-2 determines Mg2+ADP-release kinetics and fine-tunes the duty ratio of Dictyostelium class-1 myosins

Though myosins share a structurally conserved motor domain, single amino acid variations of active site elements, including the P-loop, switch-1 and switch-2, which act as nucleotide sensors, can substantially determine the kinetic signature of a myosin, i.e., to either perform fast movement or enable long-range transport and tension generation. Switch-2 essentially contributes to the ATP hydrolysis reaction and determines product release. With few exceptions, class-1 myosin harbor a tyrosine in the switch-2 consensus sequence DIYGFE, at a position where class-2 myosins and a selection of myosins from other classes have a substitution. Here, we addressed the role of the tyrosine in switch-2 of class-1 myosins as potential determinant of the duty ratio. We generated constitutively active motor domain constructs of two class-1 myosins from the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, namely, Myo1E, a high duty ratio myosin and Myo1B, a low duty ratio myosin. In Myo1E we introduced mutation Y388F and in Myo1B mutation F387Y. The detailed functional characterization by steady-state and transient kinetic experiments, combined with in vitro motility and landing assays revealed an almost reciprocal relationship of a number of critical kinetic parameters and equilibrium constants between wild-type and mutants that dictate the lifetime of the strongly actin-attached states of myosin. The Y-to-F mutation increased the duty ratio of Moy1B by almost one order of magnitude, while the introduction of the phenylalanine in switch-2 of Myo1E transformed the myosin into a low duty ratio motor. These data together with structural considerations propose a role of switch-2 in fine-tuning ADP release through a mechanism, where the class-specific tyrosine together with surrounding residues contributes to the coordination of Mg2+ and ADP. Our results highlight the importance of conserved switch-2 residues in class-1 myosins for efficient chemo-mechanical coupling, revealing that switch-2 is important to adjust the duty ratio of the amoeboid class-1 myosins for performing movement, transport or gating functions.

Creatine Kinase Equilibration and ΔGATP over an Extended Range of Physiological Conditions: Implications for Cellular Energetics, Signaling, and Muscle Performance

In this report, we establish a straightforward method for estimating the equilibrium constant for the creatine kinase reaction (CK Keq″) over wide but physiologically and experimentally relevant ranges of pH, Mg2+ and temperature. Our empirical formula for CK Keq″ is based on experimental measurements. It can be used to estimate [ADP] when [ADP] is below the resolution of experimental measurements, a typical situation because [ADP] is on the order of micromolar concentrations in living cells and may be much lower in many in vitro experiments. Accurate prediction of [ADP] is essential for in vivo studies of cellular energetics and metabolism and for in vitro studies of ATP-dependent enzyme function under near-physiological conditions. With [ADP], we were able to obtain improved estimates of ΔGATP, necessitating the reinvestigation of previously reported ADP- and ΔGATP-dependent processes. Application to actomyosin force generation in muscle provides support for the hypothesis that, when [Pi] varies and pH is not altered, the maximum Ca2+-activated isometric force depends on ΔGATP in both living and permeabilized muscle preparations. Further analysis of the pH studies introduces a novel hypothesis around the role of submicromolar ADP in force generation.

A mutation in switch I alters the load-dependent kinetics of myosin Va

Myosin Va is the molecular motor that drives intracellular vesicular transport, powered by the transduction of chemical energy from ATP into mechanical work. The coupling of the powerstroke and phosphate (Pi) release is key to understanding the transduction process, and crucial details of this process remain unclear. Therefore, we determined the effect of elevated Pi on the force-generating capacity of a mini-ensemble of myosin Va S1 (WT) in a laser trap assay. By increasing the stiffness of the laser trap we determined the effect of increasing resistive loads on the rate of Pi-induced detachment from actin, and quantified this effect using the Bell approximation. We observed that WT myosin generated higher forces and larger displacements at the higher laser trap stiffnesses in the presence of 30 mM Pi, but binding event lifetimes decreased dramatically, which is most consistent with the powerstroke preceding the release of Pi from the active site. Repeating these experiments using a construct with a mutation in switch I of the active site (S217A) caused a seven-fold increase in the load-dependence of the Pi-induced detachment rate, suggesting that the S217A region of switch I may help mediate the load-dependence of Pi-rebinding.

Myosin's powerstroke occurs prior to the release of phosphate from the active site

Myosins are a family of motor proteins responsible for various forms of cellular motility, including muscle contraction and vesicular transport. The most fundamental aspect of myosin is its ability to transduce the chemical energy from the hydrolysis of ATP into mechanical work, in the form of force and/or motion. A key unanswered question of the transduction process is the timing of the force-generating powerstroke relative to the release of phosphate (P_i ) from the active site. We examined the ability of single-headed myosin Va to generate a powerstroke in a single molecule laser trap assay while maintaining P_i in its active site, by either elevating P_i in solution or by introducing a mutation in myosin's active site (S217A) to slow P_i -release from the active site. Upon binding to the actin filament, WT myosin generated a powerstoke rapidly (≥500 s^-1 ) and without a detectable delay, both in the absence and presence of 30 mM P_i . The elevated levels of P_i did, however, affect event lifetime, eliminating the longest 25% of binding events, confirming that P_i rebound to myosin's active site and accelerated detachment. The S217A construct also generated a powerstroke similar in size and rate upon binding to actin despite the slower P_i release rate. These findings provide direct evidence that myosin Va generates a powerstroke with P_i still in its active site. Therefore, the findings are most consistent with a model in which the powerstroke occurs prior to the release of P_i from the active site.

Cardiomyopathy mutations impact the actin-activated power stroke of human cardiac myosin

Cardiac muscle contraction is driven by the molecular motor myosin, which uses the energy from ATP hydrolysis to generate a power stroke when interacting with actin filaments, although it is unclear how this mechanism is impaired by mutations in myosin that can lead to heart failure. We have applied a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) strategy to investigate structural changes in the lever arm domain of human β-cardiac myosin subfragment 1 (M2β-S1). We exchanged the human ventricular regulatory light chain labeled at a single cysteine (V105C) with Alexa 488 onto M2β-S1, which served as a donor for Cy3ATP bound to the active site. We monitored the FRET signal during the actin-activated product release steps using transient kinetic measurements. We propose that the fast phase measured with our FRET probes represents the macroscopic rate constant associated with actin-activated rotation of the lever arm during the power stroke in M2β-S1. Our results demonstrated M2β-S1 has a slower actin-activated power stroke compared with fast skeletal muscle myosin and myosin V. Measurements at different temperatures comparing the rate constants of the actin-activated power stroke and phosphate release are consistent with a model in which the power stroke occurs before phosphate release and the two steps are tightly coupled. We suggest that the actin-activated power stroke is highly reversible but followed by a highly irreversible phosphate release step in the absence of load and free phosphate. We demonstrated that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (R723G)- and dilated cardiomyopathy (F764L)-associated mutations both reduced actin activation of the power stroke in M2β-S1. We also demonstrate that both mutations alter in vitro actin gliding in the presence and absence of load. Thus, examining the structural kinetics of the power stroke in M2β-S1 has revealed critical mutation-associated defects in the myosin ATPase pathway, suggesting these measurements will be extremely important for establishing structure-based mechanisms of contractile dysfunction.

Phosphate has dual roles in cross-bridge kinetics in rabbit psoas single myofibrils

In this study, we aimed to study the role of inorganic phosphate (P_i) in the production of oscillatory work and cross-bridge (CB) kinetics of striated muscle. We applied small-amplitude sinusoidal length oscillations to rabbit psoas single myofibrils and muscle fibers, and the resulting force responses were analyzed during maximal Ca²⁺ activation (pCa 4.65) at 15°C. Three exponential processes, A, B, and C, were identified from the tension transients, which were studied as functions of P_i concentration ([P_i]). In myofibrils, we found that process C, corresponding to phase 2 of step analysis during isometric contraction, is almost a perfect single exponential function compared with skinned fibers, which exhibit distributed rate constants, as described previously. The [P_i] dependence of the apparent rate constants 2πb and 2πc, and that of isometric tension, was studied to characterize the force generation and P_i release steps in the CB cycle, as well as the inhibitory effect of P_i. In contrast to skinned fibers, P_i does not accumulate in the core of myofibrils, allowing sinusoidal analysis to be performed nearly at [P_i] = 0. Process B disappeared as [P_i] approached 0 mM in myofibrils, indicating the significance of the role of P_i rebinding to CBs in the production of oscillatory work (process B). Our results also suggest that P_i competitively inhibits ATP binding to CBs, with an inhibitory dissociation constant of ∼2.6 mM. Finally, we found that the sinusoidal waveform of tension is mostly distorted by second harmonics and that this distortion is closely correlated with production of oscillatory work, indicating that the mechanism of generating force is intrinsically nonlinear. A nonlinear force generation mechanism suggests that the length-dependent intrinsic rate constant is asymmetric upon stretch and release and that there may be a ratchet mechanism involved in the CB cycle.

Exhaustion of Skeletal Muscle Fibers Within Seconds: Incorporating Phosphate Kinetics Into a Hill-Type Model

Initiated by neural impulses and subsequent calcium release, skeletal muscle fibers contract (actively generate force) as a result of repetitive power strokes of acto-myosin cross-bridges. The energy required for performing these cross-bridge cycles is provided by the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The reaction products, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate (P i ), are then used-among other reactants, such as creatine phosphate-to refuel the ATP energy storage. However, similar to yeasts that perish at the hands of their own waste, the hydrolysis reaction products diminish the chemical potential of ATP and thus inhibit the muscle's force generation as their concentration rises. We suggest to use the term "exhaustion" for force reduction (fatigue) that is caused by combined P i and ADP accumulation along with a possible reduction in ATP concentration. On the basis of bio-chemical kinetics, we present a model of muscle fiber exhaustion based on hydrolytic ATP-ADP-P i dynamics, which are assumed to be length- and calcium activity-dependent. Written in terms of differential-algebraic equations, the new sub-model allows to enhance existing Hill-type excitation-contraction models in a straightforward way. Measured time courses of force decay during isometric contractions of rabbit M. gastrocnemius and M. plantaris were employed for model verification, with the finding that our suggested model enhancement proved eminently promising. We discuss implications of our model approach for enhancing muscle models in general, as well as a few aspects regarding the significance of phosphate kinetics as one contributor to muscle fatigue.

Force Generation by Myosin Motors: A Structural Perspective

Generating force and movement is essential for the functions of cells and organisms. A variety of molecular motors that can move on tracks within cells have evolved to serve this role. How these motors interact with their tracks and how that, in turn, leads to the generation of force and movement is key to understanding the cellular roles that these motor-track systems serve. This review is focused on the best understood of these systems, which is the molecular motor myosin that moves on tracks of filamentous (F-) actin. The review highlights both the progress and the limits of our current understanding of how force generation can be controlled by F-actin-myosin interactions. What has emerged are insights they may serve as a framework for understanding the design principles of a number of types of molecular motors and their interactions with their tracks.

A myosin-based mechanism for stretch activation and its possible role revealed by varying phosphate concentration in fast and slow mouse skeletal muscle fibers

Stretch activation (SA) is a delayed increase in force following a rapid muscle length increase. SA is best known for its role in asynchronous insect flight muscle, where it has replaced calcium's typical role of modulating muscle force levels during a contraction cycle. SA also occurs in mammalian skeletal muscle but has previously been thought to be too low in magnitude, relative to calcium-activated (CA) force, to be a significant contributor to force generation during locomotion. To test this supposition, we compared SA and CA force at different P_i concentrations (0-16 mM) in skinned mouse soleus (slow-twitch) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL; fast-twitch) muscle fibers. CA isometric force decreased similarly in both muscles with increasing P_i, as expected. SA force decreased with P_i in EDL (40%), leaving the SA to CA force ratio relatively constant across P_i concentrations (17-25%). In contrast, SA force increased in soleus (42%), causing a quadrupling of the SA to CA force ratio, from 11% at 0 mM P_i to 43% at 16 mM P_i, showing that SA is a significant force modulator in slow-twitch mammalian fibers. This modulation would be most prominent during prolonged muscle use, which increases P_i concentration and impairs calcium cycling. Based upon our previous Drosophila myosin isoform studies and this work, we propose that in slow-twitch fibers a rapid stretch in the presence of P_i reverses myosin's power stroke, enabling quick rebinding to actin and enhanced force production, while in fast-twitch fibers, stretch and P_i cause myosin to detach from actin.

Acidosis and Phosphate Directly Reduce Myosin's Force-Generating Capacity Through Distinct Molecular Mechanisms

Elevated levels of the metabolic by-products, including acidosis (i.e., high [H⁺]) and phosphate (P_i) are putative agents of muscle fatigue; however, the mechanism through which they affect myosin’s function remain unclear. To elucidate these mechanisms, we directly examined the effect of acidosis (pH 6.5 vs. 7.4), alone and in combination with elevated levels of P_i on the force-generating capacity of a mini-ensemble of myosin using a laser trap assay. Acidosis decreased myosin’s average force-generating capacity by 20% (p < 0.05). The reduction was due to both a decrease in the force generated during each actomyosin interaction, as well as an increase in the number of binding events generating negative forces. Adding P_i to the acidic condition resulted in a quantitatively similar decrease in force but was solely due to an elimination of all high force-generating events (>2 pN), resulting from an acceleration of the myosin’s rate of detachment from actin. Acidosis and P_i also had distinct effects on myosin’s steady state ATPase rate with acidosis slowing it by ∼90% (p > 0.05), while the addition of P_i under acidic conditions caused a significant recovery in the ATPase rate. These data suggest that these two fatigue agents have distinct effects on myosin’s cross-bridge cycle that may underlie the synergistic effect that they have muscle force. Thus these data provide novel molecular insight into the mechanisms underlying the depressive effects of P_i and H⁺ on muscle contraction during fatigue.

Exploring the Link between Serum Phosphate Levels and Low Muscle Strength, Dynapenia, and Sarcopenia

Emerging evidences addressed an association between phosphate and muscle function. Because little attention was focused on this issue, the objective of our study was to explore the relationship of phosphate with muscle strength, dynapenia, and sarcopenia. From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 7421 participants aged 20 years or older were included in our study with comprehensive examinations included anthropometric parameters, strength of the quadriceps muscle, and appendicular lean masses. Within the normal range of serum phosphate, we used quartile-based analyses to determine the potential relationships of serum phosphate with dynapenia, and sarcopenia through multivariate regression models. After adjusting for the pertinent variables, an inverse association between the serum phosphate quartiles and muscle strength was observed and the linear association was stronger than other anthropometric parameters. Notably, the significant association between phosphate and muscle strength was existed in >65 years old age group, not in 20-65 years old. The higher quartiles of phosphate had higher likelihood for predicting the presence of dynapenia rather than sarcopenia in entire population. Our study highlighted that higher quartiles of phosphate had significant association with lower muscle strength and higher risks for predicting the presence of dynapenia.

Physical driving force of actomyosin motility based on the hydration effect

We propose a driving force hypothesis based on previous thermodynamics, kinetics and structural data as well as additional experiments and calculations presented here on water-related phenomena in the actomyosin systems. Although Szent-Györgyi pointed out the importance of water in muscle contraction in 1951, few studies have focused on the water science of muscle because of the difficulty of analyzing hydration properties of the muscle proteins, actin, and myosin. The thermodynamics and energetics of muscle contraction are linked to the water-mediated regulation of protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions along with structural changes in protein molecules. In this study, we assume the following two points: (1) the periodic electric field distribution along an actin filament (F-actin) is unidirectionally modified upon binding of myosin subfragment 1 (M or myosin S1) with ADP and inorganic phosphate Pi (M.ADP.Pi complex) and (2) the solvation free energy of myosin S1 depends on the external electric field strength and the solvation free energy of myosin S1 in close proximity to F-actin can become the potential force to drive myosin S1 along F-actin. The first assumption is supported by integration of experimental reports. The second assumption is supported by model calculations utilizing molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to determine solvation free energies of a small organic molecule and two small proteins. MD simulations utilize the energy representation method (ER) and the roughly proportional relationship between the solvation free energy and the solvent-accessible surface area (SASA) of the protein. The estimated driving force acting on myosin S1 is as high as several piconewtons (pN), which is consistent with the experimentally observed force.

The effects of pH and Pi on tension and Ca2+ sensitivity of ventricular myofilaments from the anoxia-tolerant painted turtle

We aimed to determine how increases in intracellular H⁺ and inorganic phosphate (P_i) to levels observed during anoxic submergence affect contractility in ventricular muscle of the anoxia-tolerant Western painted turtle, Chrysemys picta bellii Skinned multicellular preparations were exposed to six treatments with physiologically relevant levels of pH (7.4, 7.0, 6.6) and P_i (3 and 8 mmol l^-1). Each preparation was tested in a range of calcium concentrations (pCa 9.0-4.5) to determine the pCa-tension relationship for each treatment. Acidosis significantly decreased contractility by decreasing Ca²⁺ sensitivity (pCa₅₀) and tension development (P<0.001). Increasing [P_i] also decreased contractility by decreasing tension development at every pH level (P<0.001) but, alone, did not affect Ca²⁺ sensitivity (P=0.689). Simultaneous increases in [H⁺] and [P_i] interacted to attenuate the decreased tension development and Ca²⁺ sensitivity (P<0.001), possibly reflecting a decreased sensitivity to P_i when it is present as the dihydrogen phosphate form, which increases as pH decreases. Compared with that of mammals, the ventricle of turtles exhibits higher Ca²⁺ sensitivity, which is consistent with previous studies of ectothermic vertebrates.

Kinetic coupling of phosphate release, force generation and rate-limiting steps in the cross-bridge cycle

A basic goal in muscle research is to understand how the cyclic ATPase activity of cross-bridges is converted into mechanical force. A direct approach to study the chemo-mechanical coupling between P_i release and the force-generating step is provided by the kinetics of force response induced by a rapid change in [P_i]. Classical studies on fibres using caged-P_i discovered that rapid increases in [P_i] induce fast force decays dependent on final [P_i] whose kinetics were interpreted to probe a fast force-generating step prior to P_i release. However, this hypothesis was called into question by studies on skeletal and cardiac myofibrils subjected to P_i jumps in both directions (increases and decreases in [P_i]) which revealed that rapid decreases in [P_i] trigger force rises with slow kinetics, similar to those of calcium-induced force development and mechanically-induced force redevelopment at the same [P_i]. A possible explanation for this discrepancy came from imaging of individual sarcomeres in cardiac myofibrils, showing that the fast force decay upon increase in [P_i] results from so-called sarcomere 'give'. The slow force rise upon decrease in [P_i] was found to better reflect overall sarcomeres cross-bridge kinetics and its [P_i] dependence, suggesting that the force generation coupled to P_i release cannot be separated from the rate-limiting transition. The reasons for the different conclusions achieved in fibre and myofibril studies are re-examined as the recent findings on cardiac myofibrils have fundamental consequences for the coupling between P_i release, rate-limiting steps and force generation. The implications from P_i-induced force kinetics of myofibrils are discussed in combination with historical and recent models of the cross-bridge cycle.

Contraction-induced enhancement of relaxation during high force contractions of mouse lumbrical muscle at 37°C

Repeated stimulation of unfatigued rodent fast-twitch skeletal muscle accelerates the kinetics of tension relaxation through an unknown mechanism. This effect varies with muscle type and stimulation parameters, and has been observed at physiological temperatures for submaximal but not maximal contractions. The purpose of this study was to compare relaxation kinetics of C57BL/6 mouse lumbrical muscles ex vivo from maximal isometric force (500 Hz for 20 ms) when evoked before (pre) and after (post) an intervening tetanic contraction at 37°C. During post contractions, we noted significant increases in the rate of tension decline during both the slow linear phase and the fast exponential phase of relaxation, as well as a reduced duration of the slow phase of relaxation compared with pre contractions (all P<0.05). This is the first demonstration of enhanced slow and fast relaxation phases from maximal isometric tension induced by prior stimulation in intact muscle at a physiological temperature.

Acceleration of the sliding movement of actin filaments with the use of a non-motile mutant myosin in in vitro motility assays driven by skeletal muscle heavy meromyosin

We examined the movement of an actin filament sliding on a mixture of normal and genetically modified myosin molecules that were attached to a glass surface. For this purpose, we used a Dictyostelium G680V mutant myosin II whose release rates of Pi and ADP were highly suppressed relative to normal myosin, leading to a significantly extended life-time of the strongly bound state with actin and virtually no motility. When the mixing ratio of G680V mutant myosin II to skeletal muscle HMM (heavy myosin) was 0.01%, the actin filaments moved intermittently. When they moved, their sliding velocities were about two-fold faster than the velocity of skeletal HMM alone. Furthermore, sliding movements were also faster when the actin filaments were allowed to slide on skeletal muscle HMM-coated glass surfaces in the motility buffer solution containing G680V HMM. In this case no intermittent movement was observed. When the actin filaments used were copolymerized with a fusion protein consisting of Dictyostelium actin and Dictyostelium G680V myosin II motor domain, similar faster sliding movements were observed on skeletal muscle HMM-coated surfaces. The filament sliding velocities were about two-fold greater than the velocities of normal actin filaments. We found that the velocity of actin filaments sliding on skeletal muscle myosin molecules increased in the presence of a non-motile G680V mutant myosin motor.

Phosphate increase during fatigue affects crossbridge kinetics in intact mouse muscle at physiological temperature

KEY POINTS

Actomyosin ATP hydrolysis occurring during muscle contraction releases inorganic phosphate [P_i ] in the myoplasm. High [P_i ] reduces force and affects force kinetics in skinned muscle fibres at low temperature. These effects decrease at high temperature, raising the question of their importance under physiological conditions. This study provides the first analysis of the effects of P_i on muscle performance in intact mammalian fibres at physiological temperature. Myoplasmic [P_i ] was raised by fatiguing the fibres with a series of tetanic contractions. [P_i ] increase reduces muscular force mainly by decreasing the force of the single molecular motor, the crossbridge, and alters the crossbridge response to fast length perturbation indicating faster kinetics. These results are in agreement with schemes of actomyosin ATPase and the crossbridge cycle including a low- or no-force state and show that fibre length changes perturb the P_i -sensitive force generation of the crossbridge cycle.

ABSTRACT

Actomyosin ATP hydrolysis during muscle contraction releases inorganic phosphate, increasing [P_i ] in the myoplasm. Experiments in skinned fibres at low temperature (10-12°C) have shown that [P_i ] increase depresses isometric force and alters the kinetics of actomyosin interaction. However, the effects of P_i decrease with temperature and this raises the question of the role of P_i under physiological conditions. The present experiments were performed to investigate this point. Intact fibre bundles isolated from the flexor digitorum brevis of C57BL/6 mice were stimulated with a series of tetanic contractions at 1.5 s intervals at 33°C. As show previously the most significant change induced by a bout of contractile activity similar to the initial 10 tetani of the series was an increase of [P_i ] without significant Ca²⁺ or pH changes. Measurements of force, stiffness and responses to fast stretches and releases were therefore made on the 10th tetanus of the series and compared with control. We found that (i) tetanic force at the 10th tetanus was ∼20% smaller than control without a significant decrease of crossbridge stiffness; and (ii) the force recovery following quick stretches and releases was faster than in control. These results indicate that at physiological temperature the increase of [P_i ] occurring during early fatigue reduces tetanic force mainly by depressing the individual crossbridge force and accelerating crossbridge kinetics.

Measuring the Kinetic and Mechanical Properties of Non-processive Myosins Using Optical Tweezers

The myosin superfamily of molecular motors utilizes energy from ATP hydrolysis to generate force and motility along actin filaments in a diverse array of cellular processes. These motors are structurally, kinetically, and mechanically tuned to their specific molecular roles in the cell. Optical trapping techniques have played a central role in elucidating the mechanisms by which myosins generate force and in exposing the remarkable diversity of myosin functions. Here, we present thorough methods for measuring and analyzing interactions between actin and non-processive myosins using optical trapping techniques.

A Perspective on the Role of Myosins as Mechanosensors

Cells are dynamic systems that generate and respond to forces over a range of spatial and temporal scales, spanning from single molecules to tissues. Substantial progress has been made in recent years in identifying the molecules and pathways responsible for sensing and transducing mechanical signals to short-term cellular responses and longer-term changes in gene expression, cell identity, and tissue development. In this perspective article, we focus on myosin motors, as they not only function as the primary force generators in well-studied mechanobiological processes, but also act as key mechanosensors in diverse functions including intracellular transport, signaling, cell migration, muscle contraction, and sensory perception. We discuss how the biochemical and mechanical properties of different myosin isoforms are tuned to fulfill these roles in an array of cellular processes, and we highlight the underappreciated diversity of mechanosensing properties within the myosin superfamily. In particular, we use modeling and simulations to make predictions regarding how diversity in force sensing affects the lifetime of the actomyosin bond, the myosin power output, and the ability of myosin to respond to a perturbation in force for several nonprocessive myosin isoforms.

Direct measurements of the coordination of lever arm swing and the catalytic cycle in myosin V

Myosins use a conserved structural mechanism to convert the energy from ATP hydrolysis into a large swing of the force-generating lever arm. The precise timing of the lever arm movement with respect to the steps in the actomyosin ATPase cycle has not been determined. We have developed a FRET system in myosin V that uses three donor-acceptor pairs to examine the kinetics of lever arm swing during the recovery and power stroke phases of the ATPase cycle. During the recovery stroke the lever arm swing is tightly coupled to priming the active site for ATP hydrolysis. The lever arm swing during the power stroke occurs in two steps, a fast step that occurs before phosphate release and a slow step that occurs before ADP release. Time-resolved FRET demonstrates a 20-Å change in distance between the pre- and postpower stroke states and shows that the lever arm is more dynamic in the postpower stroke state. Our results suggest myosin binding to actin in the ADP.Pi complex triggers a rapid power stroke that gates the release of phosphate, whereas a second slower power stroke may be important for mediating strain sensitivity.

Mechanochemical tuning of myosin-I by the N-terminal region

Myosins are molecular motors that generate force to power a wide array of motile cellular functions. Myosins have the inherent ability to change their ATPase kinetics and force-generating properties when they encounter mechanical loads; however, little is known about the structural elements in myosin responsible for force sensing. Recent structural and biophysical studies have shown that myosin-I isoforms, Myosin-Ib (Myo1b) and Myosin-Ic (Myo1c), have similar unloaded kinetics and sequences but substantially different responses to forces that resist their working strokes. Myo1b has the properties of a tension-sensing anchor, slowing its actin-detachment kinetics by two orders of magnitude with just 1 pN of resisting force, whereas Myo1c has the properties of a slow transporter, generating power without slowing under 1-pN loads that would stall Myo1b. To examine the structural elements that lead to differences in force sensing, we used single-molecule and ensemble kinetic techniques to show that the myosin-I N-terminal region (NTR) plays a critical role in tuning myosin-I mechanochemistry. We found that replacing the Myo1c NTR with the Myo1b NTR changes the identity of the primary force-sensitive transition of Myo1c, resulting in sensitivity to forces of <2 pN. Additionally, we found that the NTR plays an important role in stabilizing the post-power-stroke conformation. These results identify the NTR as an important structural element in myosin force sensing and suggest a mechanism for generating diversity of function among myosin isoforms.

Poorly understood aspects of striated muscle contraction

Muscle contraction results from cyclic interactions between the contractile proteins myosin and actin, driven by the turnover of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Despite intense studies, several molecular events in the contraction process are poorly understood, including the relationship between force-generation and phosphate-release in the ATP-turnover. Different aspects of the force-generating transition are reflected in the changes in tension development by muscle cells, myofibrils and single molecules upon changes in temperature, altered phosphate concentration, or length perturbations. It has been notoriously difficult to explain all these events within a given theoretical framework and to unequivocally correlate observed events with the atomic structures of the myosin motor. Other incompletely understood issues include the role of the two heads of myosin II and structural changes in the actin filaments as well as the importance of the three-dimensional order. We here review these issues in relation to controversies regarding basic physiological properties of striated muscle. We also briefly consider actomyosin mutation effects in cardiac and skeletal muscle function and the possibility to treat these defects by drugs.

A new mechanokinetic model for muscle contraction, where force and movement are triggered by phosphate release

The atomic structure of myosin-S1 suggests that its working stroke, which generates tension and shortening in muscle, is triggered by the release of inorganic phosphate from the active site. This mechanism is the basis of a new mechanokinetic model for contractility, using the biochemical actomyosin ATPase cycle, strain-dependent kinetics and dimeric myosins on buckling rods. In this model, phosphate-dependent aspects of contractility arise from a rapid reversible release of phosphate from the initial bound state (A.M.ADP.Pi), which triggers the stroke. Added phosphate drives bound myosin towards this initial state, and the transient tension response to a phosphate jump reflects the rate at which it detaches from actin. Predictions for the tensile and energetic properties of striated muscle as a function of phosphate level, including the tension responses to length steps and Pi-jumps, are compared with experimental data from rabbit psoas fibres at 10 °C. The phosphate sensitivity of isometric tension is maximal when the actin affinity of M.ADP.Pi is near unity. Hence variations in actin affinity modulate the phosphate dependence of isometric tension, and may explain why phosphate sensitivity is temperature-dependent or absent in different muscles.

Direct observation of phosphate inhibiting the force-generating capacity of a miniensemble of Myosin molecules

Elevated levels of phosphate (Pi) reduce isometric force, providing support for the notion that the release of Pi from myosin is closely associated with the generation of muscular force. Pi is thought to rebind to actomyosin in an ADP-bound state and reverse the force-generating steps, including the rotation of the lever arm (i.e., the powerstroke). Despite extensive study, this mechanism remains controversial, in part because it fails to explain the effects of Pi on isometric ATPase and unloaded shortening velocity. To gain new insight into this process, we determined the effect of Pi on the force-generating capacity of a small ensemble of myosin (∼12 myosin heads) using a three-bead laser trap assay. In the absence of Pi, myosin pulled the actin filament out of the laser trap an average distance of 54 ± 4 nm, translating into an average peak force of 1.2 pN. By contrast, in the presence of 30 mM Pi, myosin generated only enough force to displace the actin filament by 13 ± 1 nm, generating just 0.2 pN of force. The elevated Pi also caused a >65% reduction in binding-event lifetime, suggesting that Pi induces premature detachment from a strongly bound state. Definitive evidence of a Pi-induced powerstroke reversal was not observed, therefore we determined if a branched kinetic model in which Pi induces detachment from a strongly bound, postpowerstroke state could explain these observations. The model was able to accurately reproduce not only the data presented here, but also the effects of Pi on both isometric ATPase in muscle fibers and actin filament velocity in a motility assay. The ability of the model to capture the findings presented here as well as previous findings suggests that Pi-induced inhibition of force may proceed along a kinetic pathway different from that of force generation.

Ca++-sensitizing mutations in troponin, P(i), and 2-deoxyATP alter the depressive effect of acidosis on regulated thin-filament velocity

Repeated, intense contractile activity compromises the ability of skeletal muscle to generate force and velocity, resulting in fatigue. The decrease in velocity is thought to be due, in part, to the intracellular build-up of acidosis inhibiting the function of the contractile proteins myosin and troponin; however, the underlying molecular basis of this process remains poorly understood. We sought to gain novel insight into the decrease in velocity by determining whether the depressive effect of acidosis could be altered by 1) introducing Ca(++)-sensitizing mutations into troponin (Tn) or 2) by agents that directly affect myosin function, including inorganic phosphate (Pi) and 2-deoxy-ATP (dATP) in an in vitro motility assay. Acidosis reduced regulated thin-filament velocity (VRTF) at both maximal and submaximal Ca(++) levels in a pH-dependent manner. A truncated construct of the inhibitory subunit of Tn (TnI) and a Ca(++)-sensitizing mutation in the Ca(++)-binding subunit of Tn (TnC) increased VRTF at submaximal Ca(++) under acidic conditions but had no effect on VRTF at maximal Ca(++) levels. In contrast, both Pi and replacement of ATP with dATP reversed much of the acidosis-induced depression of VRTF at saturating Ca(++). Interestingly, despite producing similar magnitude increases in VRTF, the combined effects of Pi and dATP were additive, suggesting different underlying mechanisms of action. These findings suggest that acidosis depresses velocity by slowing the detachment rate from actin but also by possibly slowing the attachment rate.

Effect of temperature on crossbridge force changes during fatigue and recovery in intact mouse muscle fibers

Repetitive or prolonged muscle contractions induce muscular fatigue, defined as the inability of the muscle to maintain the initial tension or power output. In the present experiments, made on intact fiber bundles from FDB mouse, fatigue and recovery from fatigue were investigated at 24°C and 35°C. Force and stiffness were measured during tetani elicited every 90 s during the pre-fatigue control phase and recovery and every 1.5 s during the fatiguing phase made of 105 consecutive tetani. The results showed that force decline could be split in an initial phase followed by a later one. Loss of force during the first phase was smaller and slower at 35°C than at 24°C, whereas force decline during the later phase was greater at 35°C so that total force depression at the end of fatigue was the same at both temperatures. The initial force decline occurred without great reduction of fiber stiffness and was attributed to a decrease of the average force per attached crossbridge. Force decline during the later phase was accompanied by a proportional stiffness decrease and was attributed to a decrease of the number of attached crossbridge. Similarly to fatigue, at both 24 and 35°C, force recovery occurred in two phases: the first associated with the recovery of the average force per attached crossbridge and the second due to the recovery of the pre-fatigue attached crossbridge number. These changes, symmetrical to those occurring during fatigue, are consistent with the idea that, i) initial phase is due to the direct fast inhibitory effect of [Pi]i increase during fatigue on crossbridge force; ii) the second phase is due to the delayed reduction of Ca(2+) release and /or reduction of the Ca(2+) sensitivity of the myofibrils due to high [Pi]i.

Nonlinear cross-bridge elasticity and post-power-stroke events in fast skeletal muscle actomyosin

Generation of force and movement by actomyosin cross-bridges is the molecular basis of muscle contraction, but generally accepted ideas about cross-bridge properties have recently been questioned. Of the utmost significance, evidence for nonlinear cross-bridge elasticity has been presented. We here investigate how this and other newly discovered or postulated phenomena would modify cross-bridge operation, with focus on post-power-stroke events. First, as an experimental basis, we present evidence for a hyperbolic [MgATP]-velocity relationship of heavy-meromyosin-propelled actin filaments in the in vitro motility assay using fast rabbit skeletal muscle myosin (28-29°C). As the hyperbolic [MgATP]-velocity relationship was not consistent with interhead cooperativity, we developed a cross-bridge model with independent myosin heads and strain-dependent interstate transition rates. The model, implemented with inclusion of MgATP-independent detachment from the rigor state, as suggested by previous single-molecule mechanics experiments, accounts well for the [MgATP]-velocity relationship if nonlinear cross-bridge elasticity is assumed, but not if linear cross-bridge elasticity is assumed. In addition, a better fit is obtained with load-independent than with load-dependent MgATP-induced detachment rate. We discuss our results in relation to previous data showing a nonhyperbolic [MgATP]-velocity relationship when actin filaments are propelled by myosin subfragment 1 or full-length myosin. We also consider the implications of our results for characterization of the cross-bridge elasticity in the filament lattice of muscle.

A cross-bridge cycle with two tension-generating steps simulates skeletal muscle mechanics

We examined whether cross-bridge cycle models with one or two tension-generating steps can account for the force-velocity relation of and tension response to length steps of frog skeletal muscle. Transition-state theory defined the strain dependence of the rate constants. The filament stiffness was non-Hookean. Models were refined against experimental data by simulated annealing and downhill simplex runs. Models with one tension-generating step were rejected, as they had a low efficiency and fitted the experimental data relatively poorly. The best model with two tension-generating steps (stroke distances 5.6 and 4.6 nm) and a cross-bridge stiffness of 1.7 pN/nm gave a good account of the experimental data. The two tensing steps allow an efficiency of up to 38% during shortening. In an isometric contraction, 54.7% of the attached heads were in a pre-tension-generating state, 44.5% of the attached heads had undergone the first tension-generating step, and only 0.8% had undergone both tension-generating steps; they bore 34%, 64%, and 2%, respectively, of the isometric tension. During slow shortening, the second tensing step made a greater contribution. During lengthening, up to 93% of the attached heads were in a pre-tension-generating state yet bore elevated tension by being dragged to high strains before detaching.

Recent insights into the molecular basis of muscular fatigue

The cause of muscle fatigue has been studied for more than 100 yr, yet its molecular basis remains poorly understood. Prevailing theories suggest that much of the fatigue-induced loss in force and velocity can be attributed to the inhibitory action of metabolites, principally phosphate (Pi) and hydrogen ions (H, i.e., acidosis), on the contractile proteins, but the precise detail of how this inhibition occurs has been difficult to visualize at the molecular level. However, recent technological developments in the areas of biophysics, molecular biology, and structural biology are enabling researchers to directly observe the function and dysfunction of muscle contractile proteins at the level of a single molecule. In fact, the first direct evidence that high levels of H and Pi inhibit the function of muscle's molecular motor, myosin, has recently been observed in a single molecule laser trap assay. Likewise, advances in structural biology are taking our understanding further, providing detail at the atomic level of how some metabolites might alter the internal motions of myosin and thereby inhibit its ability to generate force and motion. Finally, new insights are also being gained into the indirect role that muscle regulatory proteins troponin (Tn) and tropomyosin (Tn) play in the fatigue process. In vitro studies, incorporating TnTm, suggest that a significant portion of the decreased force and motion during fatigue may be mediated through a disruption of the molecular motions of specific regions within Tn and Tm. These recent advances are providing unprecedented molecular insight into the structure and function of the contractile proteins and, in the process, are reshaping our understanding of the process of fatigue.

Global fit analysis of myosin-5b motility reveals thermodynamics of Mg2+-sensitive acto-myosin-ADP states

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of the mechanochemical cycle of myosin motors are essential for understanding the mechanism of energy conversion. Here, we report our investigation of temperature and free Mg²⁺-ion dependencies of sliding velocities of a high duty ratio class-5 myosin motor, myosin-5b from D. discoideum using in vitro motility assays. Previous studies have shown that the sliding velocity of class-5 myosins obeys modulation by free Mg²⁺-ions. Free Mg²⁺-ions affect ADP release kinetics and the dwell time of actin-attached states. The latter determines the maximal velocity of actin translocation in the sliding filament assay. We measured the temperature dependence of sliding velocity in the range from 5 to 55°C at two limiting free Mg²⁺-ion concentrations. Arrhenius plots demonstrated non-linear behavior. Based on this observation we propose a kinetic model, which explains both sensitivity towards free Mg²⁺-ions and non-linearity of the temperature dependence of sliding velocity. According to this model, velocity is represented as a simple analytical function of temperature and free Mg²⁺-ion concentrations. This function has been applied to global non-linear fit analysis of three data sets including temperature and magnesium (at 20°C) dependence of sliding velocity. As a result we obtain thermodynamic parameters (ΔH_Mg and ΔS_Mg) of a fast equilibrium between magnesium free (AM·D) and magnesium bound acto-myosin-ADP (AM· Mg²⁺D) states and the corresponding enthalpic barriers associated with ADP release (ΔH₁^‡ and ΔH₂^‡). The herein presented integrative approach of data analysis based on global fitting can be applied to the remaining steps of the acto-myosin ATPase cycle facilitating the determination of energetic parameters and thermodynamics of acto-myosin interactions.

Myosin heavy chain-like localizes at cell contact sites during Drosophila myoblast fusion and interacts in vitro with Rolling pebbles 7

Besides representing the sarcomeric thick filaments, myosins are involved in many cellular transport and motility processes. Myosin heavy chains are grouped into 18 classes. Here we show that in Drosophila, the unconventional group XVIII myosin heavy chain-like (Mhcl) is transcribed in the mesoderm of embryos, most prominently in founder cells (FCs). An ectopically expressed GFP-tagged Mhcl localizes in the growing muscle at cell-cell contacts towards the attached fusion competent myoblast (FCM). We further show that Mhcl interacts in vitro with the essential fusion protein Rolling pebbles 7 (Rols7), which is part of a protein complex established at cell contact sites (Fusion-restricted Myogenic-Adhesive Structure or FuRMAS). Here, branched F-actin is likely needed to widen the fusion pore and to integrate the myoblast into the growing muscle. We show that the localization of Mhcl is dependent on the presence of Rols7, and we postulate that Mhcl acts at the FuRMAS as an actin motor protein. We further show that Mhcl deficient embryos develop a wild-type musculature. We thus propose that Mhcl functions redundantly to other myosin heavy chains in myoblasts. Lastly, we found that the protein is detectable adjacent to the sarcomeric Z-discs, suggesting an additional function in mature muscles.

The multiple roles of phosphate in muscle fatigue

Muscle fatigue is the decline in performance of muscles observed during periods of intense activity. ATP consumption exceeds production during intense activity and there are multiple changes in intracellular metabolites which may contribute to the changes in crossbridge activity. It is also well-established that a reduction in activation, either through action potential changes or reduction in Ca(2+) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), makes an additional contribution to fatigue. In this review we focus on the role of intracellular inorganic phosphate (P(i)) whose concentration can increase rapidly from around 5-30 mM during intense fatigue. Studies from skinned muscle fibers show that these changes substantially impair myofibrillar performance although the effects are strongly temperature dependent. Increased P(i) can also cause reduced Ca(2+) release from the SR and may therefore contribute to the reduced activation. In a recent study, we have measured both P(i) and Ca(2+) release in a blood-perfused mammalian preparation and the results from this preparation allows us to test the extent to which the combined effects of P(i) and Ca(2+) changes may contribute to fatigue.

The effects of phosphate and acidosis on regulated thin-filament velocity in an in vitro motility assay

Muscle fatigue from intense contractile activity is thought to result, in large part, from the accumulation of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and hydrogen ions (H+) acting to directly inhibit the function of the contractile proteins; however, the molecular basis of this process remain unclear. We used an in vitro motility assay and determined the effects of elevated H+ and Pi on the ability of myosin to bind to and translocate regulated actin filaments (RTF) to gain novel insights into the molecular basis of fatigue. At saturating Ca++, acidosis depressed regulated filament velocity ( VRTF) by ∼90% (6.2 ± 0.3 vs. 0.5 ± 0.2 μm/s at pH 7.4 and 6.5, respectively). However, the addition of 30 mM Pi caused VRTF to increase fivefold, from 0.5 ± 0.2 to 2.6 ± 0.3 μm/s at pH 6.5. Similarly, at all subsaturating Ca++ levels, acidosis slowed VRTF, but the addition of Pi significantly attenuated this effect. We also manipulated the [ADP] in addition to the [Pi] to probe which specific step(s) of cross-bridge cycle of myosin is affected by elevated H+. The findings are consistent with acidosis slowing the isomerization step between two actomyosin ADP-bound states. Because the state before this isomerization is most vulnerable to Pi rebinding, and the associated detachment from actin, this finding may also explain the Pi-induced enhancement of VRTF at low pH. These results therefore may provide a molecular basis for a significant portion of the loss of shortening velocity and possibly muscular power during fatigue.

Single molecule detection approach to muscle study: kinetics of a single cross-bridge during contraction of muscle

D166V point mutation in the ventricular myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) is one of the causes of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). We show here that the rates of cross-bridge attachment and dissociation are significantly different in isometrically contracting cardiac myofibrils from right ventricle of WT and Tg-D166V mice. To avoid averaging over ensembles of molecules composing muscle fibers, the data was collected from a single molecule. Kinetics were derived by tracking the orientation of a single actin molecule by fluorescence anisotropy. Orientation oscillated between two states, corresponding to the actin-bound and actin-free states of the myosin cross-bridge. The cross-bridge in a wild-type (healthy) heart stayed attached and detached from thin filament on average for 0.7 and 2.7 s, respectively. In FHC heart, these numbers increased to 2.5 and 5.8 s, respectively. These findings suggest that alterations in myosin cross-bridge kinetics associated with D166V mutation of RLC ultimately affect the ability of a heart to efficiently pump the blood.

Myosin IC generates power over a range of loads via a new tension-sensing mechanism

Myosin IC (myo1c), a widely expressed motor protein that links the actin cytoskeleton to cell membranes, has been associated with numerous cellular processes, including insulin-stimulated transport of GLUT4, mechanosensation in sensory hair cells, endocytosis, transcription of DNA in the nucleus, exocytosis, and membrane trafficking. The molecular role of myo1c in these processes has not been defined, so to better understand myo1c function, we utilized ensemble kinetic and single-molecule techniques to probe myo1c's biochemical and mechanical properties. Utilizing a myo1c construct containing the motor and regulatory domains, we found the force dependence of the actin-attachment lifetime to have two distinct regimes: a force-independent regime at forces < 1 pN, and a highly force-dependent regime at higher loads. In this force-dependent regime, forces that resist the working stroke increase the actin-attachment lifetime. Unexpectedly, the primary force-sensitive transition is the isomerization that follows ATP binding, not ADP release as in other slow myosins. This force-sensing behavior is unique amongst characterized myosins and clearly demonstrates mechanochemical diversity within the myosin family. Based on these results, we propose that myo1c functions as a slow transporter rather than a tension-sensitive anchor.

Recent insights into muscle fatigue at the cross-bridge level

The depression in force and/or velocity associated with muscular fatigue can be the result of a failure at any level, from the initial events in the motor cortex of the brain to the formation of an actomyosin cross-bridge in the muscle cell. Since all the force and motion generated by muscle ultimately derives from the cyclical interaction of actin and myosin, researchers have focused heavily on the impact of the accumulation of intracellular metabolites [e.g., P(i), H(+) and adenosine diphoshphate (ADP)] on the function these contractile proteins. At saturating Ca(++) levels, elevated P(i) appears to be the primary cause for the loss in maximal isometric force, while increased [H(+)] and possibly ADP act to slow unloaded shortening velocity in single muscle fibers, suggesting a causative role in muscular fatigue. However the precise mechanisms through which these metabolites might affect the individual function of the contractile proteins remain unclear because intact muscle is a highly complex structure. To simplify problem isolated actin and myosin have been studied in the in vitro motility assay and more recently the single molecule laser trap assay with the findings showing that both P(i) and H(+) alter single actomyosin function in unique ways. In addition to these new insights, we are also gaining important information about the roles played by the muscle regulatory proteins troponin (Tn) and tropomyosin (Tm) in the fatigue process. In vitro studies, suggest that both the acidosis and elevated levels of P(i) can inhibit velocity and force at sub-saturating levels of Ca(++) in the presence of Tn and Tm and that this inhibition can be greater than that observed in the absence of regulation. To understand the molecular basis of the role of regulatory proteins in the fatigue process researchers are taking advantage of modern molecular biological techniques to manipulate the structure and function of Tn/Tm. These efforts are beginning to reveal the relevant structures and how their functions might be altered during fatigue. Thus, it is a very exciting time to study muscle fatigue because the technological advances occurring in the fields of biophysics and molecular biology are providing researchers with the ability to directly test long held hypotheses and consequently reshaping our understanding of this age-old question.

Three distinct actin-attached structural states of myosin in muscle fibers

We have used thiol cross-linking and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to resolve structural transitions of myosin's light chain domain (LCD) and catalytic domain (CD) that are associated with force generation. Spin labels were incorporated into the LCD of muscle fibers by exchanging spin-labeled regulatory light chain for endogenous regulatory light chain, with full retention of function. To trap myosin in a structural state analogous to the elusive posthydrolysis ternary complex A.M'.D.P, we used pPDM to cross-link SH1 (Cys(707)) to SH2 (Cys(697)) on the CD. LCD orientation and dynamics were measured in three biochemical states: relaxation (A.M.T), SH1-SH2 cross-linked (A.M'.D.P analog), and rigor (A.M.D). EPR showed that the LCD of cross-linked fibers has an orientational distribution intermediate between relaxation and rigor, and saturation transfer EPR revealed slow rotational dynamics indistinguishable from that of rigor. Similar results were obtained for the CD using a bifunctional spin label to cross-link SH1-SH2, but the CD was more disordered than the LCD. We conclude that SH1-SH2 cross-linking traps a state in which both the CD and LCD are intermediate between relaxation (highly disordered and microsecond dynamics) and rigor (highly ordered and rigid), supporting the hypothesis that the cross-linked state is an A.M'D.P analog on the force generation pathway.

How myosin motors power cellular functions: an exciting journey from structure to function: based on a lecture delivered at the 34th FEBS Congress in Prague, Czech Republic, July 2009

Molecular motors such as myosins are allosteric enzymes that power essential motility functions in the cell. Structural biology is an important tool for deciphering how these motors work. Myosins produce force upon the actin-driven conformational changes controlling the sequential release of the hydrolysis products of ATP (Pi followed by ADP). These conformational changes are amplified by a 'lever arm', which includes the region of the motor known as the converter and the adjacent elongated light chain binding region. Analysis of four structural states of the motor provides a detailed understanding of the rearrangements and pathways of communication in the motor that are necessary for detachment from the actin track and repriming of the motor. However, the important part of the cycle in which force is produced remains enigmatic and awaits new high-resolution structures. The value of a structural approach is particularly evident from clues provided by the structural states of the reverse myosin VI motor. Crystallographic structures have revealed that rearrangements within the converter subdomain occur, which explains why this myosin can produce a large stroke in the opposite direction to all other myosins, despite a very short lever arm. By providing a detailed understanding of the motor rearrangements, structural biology will continue to reveal essential information and help solve current enigma, such as how actin promotes force production, how motors are tuned for specific cellular roles or how motor/cargo interactions regulate the function of myosin in the cell.

Force decline during fatigue is due to both a decrease in the force per individual cross-bridge and the number of cross-bridges

Fatigue occurring during exercise can be defined as the inability to maintain the initial force or power output. As fatigue becomes pronounced, force and maximum velocity of shortening are greatly reduced and force relaxation is prolonged. In principle, force loss during fatigue can result from a decrease in the number of cross-bridges generating force or a decrease of the individual cross-bridge force or to both mechanisms. The present experiments were made to investigate this point in single fibres or small fibre bundles isolated from flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) of C57BL/6 mice at 22-24◦C. During a series of 105 tetanic contractions, we measured force and fibre stiffness by applying small sinusoidal length oscillations at 2.5 or 4 kHz frequency to the activated preparation and measuring the resulting force changes. Stiffness data were corrected for the influence of compliance in series with the cross-bridge ensemble. The results show that the force decline during the first 20 tetani is due to the reduction of force developed by the individual cross-bridges and thereafter as fatigue becomes more severe, the number of cross-bridges decreases. In spite of the force reduction in the early phase of fatigue, there was an increased rate of tetanic force development and relaxation. In the latter stages of fatigue, the rate of force development and relaxation became slower. Thus, the start of fatigue is characterised by decreased cross-bridge force development and as fatigue becomes more marked, the number of cross-bridges decreases. These findings are discussed in the context of the current hypotheses about fatigue mechanisms.

Phosphate enhances myosin-powered actin filament velocity under acidic conditions in a motility assay

Elevated levels of inorganic phosphate (P(i)) are believed to inhibit muscular force by reversing myosin's force-generating step. These same levels of P(i) can also affect muscle velocity, but the molecular basis underlying these effects remains unclear. We directly examined the effect of P(i) (30 mM) on skeletal muscle myosin's ability to translocate actin (V(actin)) in an in vitro motility assay. Manipulation of the pH enabled us to probe rebinding of P(i) to myosin's ADP-bound state, while changing the ATP concentration probed rebinding to the rigor state. Surprisingly, the addition of P(i) significantly increased V(actin) at both pH 6.8 and 6.5, causing a doubling of V(actin) at pH 6.5. To probe the mechanisms underlying this increase in speed, we repeated these experiments while varying the ATP concentration. At pH 7.4, the effects of P(i) were highly ATP dependent, with P(i) slowing V(actin) at low ATP (<500 μM), but with a minor increase at 2 mM ATP. The P(i)-induced slowing of V(actin), evident at low ATP (pH 7.4), was minimized at pH 6.8 and completely reversed at pH 6.5. These data were accurately fit with a simple detachment-limited kinetic model of motility that incorporated a P(i)-induced prolongation of the rigor state, which accounted for the slowing of V(actin) at low ATP, and a P(i)-induced detachment from a strongly bound post-power-stroke state, which accounted for the increase in V(actin) at high ATP. These findings suggest that P(i) differentially affects myosin function: enhancing velocity, if it rebinds to the ADP-bound state, while slowing velocity, if it binds to the rigor state.

Axial and radial forces of cross-bridges depend on lattice spacing

Nearly all mechanochemical models of the cross-bridge treat myosin as a simple linear spring arranged parallel to the contractile filaments. These single-spring models cannot account for the radial force that muscle generates (orthogonal to the long axis of the myofilaments) or the effects of changes in filament lattice spacing. We describe a more complex myosin cross-bridge model that uses multiple springs to replicate myosin's force-generating power stroke and account for the effects of lattice spacing and radial force. The four springs which comprise this model (the 4sXB) correspond to the mechanically relevant portions of myosin's structure. As occurs in vivo, the 4sXB's state-transition kinetics and force-production dynamics vary with lattice spacing. Additionally, we describe a simpler two-spring cross-bridge (2sXB) model which produces results similar to those of the 4sXB model. Unlike the 4sXB model, the 2sXB model requires no iterative techniques, making it more computationally efficient. The rate at which both multi-spring cross-bridges bind and generate force decreases as lattice spacing grows. The axial force generated by each cross-bridge as it undergoes a power stroke increases as lattice spacing grows. The radial force that a cross-bridge produces as it undergoes a power stroke varies from expansive to compressive as lattice spacing increases. Importantly, these results mirror those for intact, contracting muscle force production.

Energy economy in the actomyosin interaction: lessons from simple models

The energy economy of the actomyosin interaction in skeletal muscle is both scientifically fascinating and practically important. This chapter demonstrates how simple cross-bridge models have guided research regarding the energy economy of skeletal muscle. Parameter variation on a very simple two-state strain-dependent model shows that early events in the actomyosin interaction strongly influence energy efficiency, and late events determine maximum shortening velocity. Addition of a weakly-bound state preceding force production allows weak coupling of cross-bridge mechanics and ATP turnover, so that a simple three-state model can simulate the velocity-dependence of ATP turnover. Consideration of the limitations of this model leads to a review of recent evidence regarding the relationship between ligand binding states, conformational states, and macromolecular structures of myosin cross-bridges. Investigation of the fine structure of the actomyosin interaction during the working stroke continues to inform fundamental research regarding the energy economy of striated muscle.

Force-generating capacity of human myosin isoforms extracted from single muscle fibre segments

Muscle, motor unit and muscle fibre type-specific differences in force-generating capacity have been investigated for many years, but there is still no consensus regarding specific differences between slow- and fast-twitch muscles, motor units or muscle fibres. This is probably related to a number of different confounding factors disguising the function of the molecular motor protein myosin. We have therefore studied the force-generating capacity of specific myosin isoforms or combination of isoforms extracted from short single human muscle fibre segments in a modified single fibre myosin in vitro motility assay, in which an internal load (actin-binding protein) was added in different concentrations to evaluate the force-generating capacity. The force indices were the x-axis intercept and the slope of the relationship between the fraction of moving filaments and the α-actinin concentration. The force-generating capacity of the β/slow myosin isoform (type I) was weaker (P < 0.05) than the fast myosin isoform (type II), but the force-generating capacity of the different human fast myosin isoforms types IIa and IIx or a combination of both (IIax) were indistinguishable. A single fibre in vitro motility assay for both speed and force of specific myosin isoforms is described and used to measure the difference in force-generating capacity between fast and slow human myosin isoforms. The assay is proposed as a useful tool for clinical studies on the effects on muscle function of specific mutations or post-translational modifications of myosin.

Predicting order of conformational changes during protein conformational transitions using an interpolated elastic network model

The decryption of sequence of structural events during protein conformational transitions is essential to a detailed understanding of molecular functions of various biological nanomachines. Coarse-grained models have proven useful by allowing highly efficient simulations of protein conformational dynamics. By combining two coarse-grained elastic network models constructed based on the beginning and end conformations of a transition, we have developed an interpolated elastic network model to generate a transition pathway between the two protein conformations. For validation, we have predicted the order of local and global conformational changes during key ATP-driven transitions in three important biological nanomachines (myosin, F(1) ATPase and chaperonin GroEL). We have found that the local conformational change associated with the closing of active site precedes the global conformational change leading to mechanical motions. Our finding is in good agreement with the distribution of intermediate experimental structures, and it supports the importance of local motions at active site to drive or gate various conformational transitions underlying the workings of a diverse range of biological nanomachines.