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Age-Related Decline in Actomyosin Structure and Function

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Sarcopenia – Age-Related Muscle Wasting and Weakness

Abstract

Aging is associated with a progressive decline of muscle mass, strength, and quality, a condition described as sarcopenia of aging. Despite the significance of skeletal muscle atrophy, the mechanisms responsible for the deterioration of muscle performance are only partially understood. The purpose of this chapter is to highlight cellular, molecular, and biochemical changes that contribute to age-related muscle dysfunction, particularly the molecular basis of contraction, changes in muscle protein structure assessed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species, and post-translational modifications in key contractile proteins. Age-related changes in the interaction between the contractile proteins, actin and myosin, provide insights into potential molecular mechanisms responsible for changes in muscle contractility with advancing age.

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  1. Medical School Program in Physical Therapy, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St, SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    LaDora V. Thompson

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Correspondence to LaDora V. Thompson .

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  1. , Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3100, Victoria, Australia

    Gordon S. Lynch

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Thompson, L.V. (2011). Age-Related Decline in Actomyosin Structure and Function. In: Lynch, G. (eds) Sarcopenia – Age-Related Muscle Wasting and Weakness. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9713-2_5

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