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Isometric tension exerted by a myofibril of the frog at 0°C: Geometrical considerations

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Summary

For a number of years, the isometric force per myosin head has been taken as 1 pN by the authors who studied in vitro movement. This value was deduced from the value of the isometric tension exerted by a living or a skinned fibre at ≈0°C and for the frog (1–3 kg cm-2). Starting from an isometric tension exerted by a single unit cell of ≈10 kg cm-2, it has been shown that the isometric force per myosin head is (8±1)pN. The value of ≈ 10 kg cm-2 was deduced from theoretical and semi-empirical reasonings independent of the mechanical roles of the crossbridges. Here, we discuss this latest value by using simple geometrical considerations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Biologie, Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, Grande Voie des Vignes, 92295, Châtenay-Malabry Cédex, France

    Zalika Merah

  2. Departement de Biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Service de Biophysique des Protéines et des Membranes, CEN-Saclay, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette Cédex, France

    Jean-Emile Morel

Authors
  1. Zalika Merah
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  2. Jean-Emile Morel
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Merah, Z., Morel, JE. Isometric tension exerted by a myofibril of the frog at 0°C: Geometrical considerations. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 14, 552–553 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141550

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141550

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