Claflin DR, Roche SM, Gumucio JP, Mendias CL, Brooks SV. Assessment of the Contractile Properties of Permeabilized Skeletal Muscle Fibers.
Methods Mol Biol 2016;
1460:321-36. [PMID:
27492182 DOI:
10.1007/978-1-4939-3810-0_22]
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Abstract
Permeabilized individual skeletal muscle fibers offer the opportunity to evaluate contractile behavior in a system that is greatly simplified, yet physiologically relevant. Here we describe the steps required to prepare, permeabilize and preserve small samples of skeletal muscle. We then detail the procedures used to isolate individual fiber segments and attach them to an experimental apparatus for the purpose of controlling activation and measuring force generation. We also describe our technique for estimating the cross-sectional area of fiber segments. The area measurement is necessary for normalizing the absolute force to obtain specific force, a measure of the intrinsic force-generating capability of the contractile system.
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