Single myosin molecule mechanics: piconewton forces and nanometre steps
- 1 March 1994
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Nature
- Vol. 368 (6467), 113-119
- https://doi.org/10.1038/368113a0
Abstract
A new in vitro assay using a feedback enhanced laser trap system allows direct measurement of force and displacement that results from the interaction of a single myosin molecule with a single suspended actin filament. Discrete stepwise movements averaging 11 nm were seen under conditions of low load, and single force transients averaging 3-4 pN were measured under isometric conditions. The magnitudes of the single forces and displacements are consistent with predictions of the conventional swinging-crossbridge model of muscle contraction.Keywords
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