# X-RAY DIFFRACTION STUDIES ON MYOSIN SUBFRAGMENT-1

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 1989 · $131,945

## Abstract

The objective    of   this research   is   to   improve    our
understanding of the molecular basis of muscle contraction by
determining   the three-dimensional  structure  of  myosin
subfragment-l using single-crystal X-ray diffraction.  Myosin is
the major protein in muscle, in which it plays both a structural
and enzymatic role.  The myosin rod forms the backbone of the
thick  filament,  whereas  the  myosin  head  (subfragment-l)  is
responsible for the generation of movement through the hydrolysis
of ATP and its interaction with actin.

Crystals of pectoralis myosin subfragment-l which diffract to at
least 3 angstrom resolution have been grown reproducibly.  The
subfragment which was  crystallized  contains  both  the essential
and  regulatory  classes  of  light  chains. The determination of
the structure of these crystals is in progress.  In the next grant
period it is planned to complete the data collection  for  the
native  crystals  and  four  heavy  atom derivatives using
synchrotron radiation and then to solve the structure using a
combination of multiple isomorphous replacement and solvent
flattening methods.  At an early stage this study should reveal the
domain structure of the head and localize the position of the light
chains.

The  second part  of the study will  be directed towards
understanding  the  functional  aspects  of  the  molecule  by
determining the structure of the myosin head in the presence of
nucleotide analogues.  This will yield the location of the active
site  and  should  suggest  how  the  energy  derived  from  the
hydrolysis of ATP is transferred into mechanical force.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157089
- **Project number:** 5R01AR035186-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LCLSJAGTNZQ7
- **Principal Investigator:** IVAN RAYMENT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $131,945
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-08-01 → 1993-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157089

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157089, X-RAY DIFFRACTION STUDIES ON MYOSIN SUBFRAGMENT-1 (5R01AR035186-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157089. Licensed CC0.

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