The titin-telethonin complex is a directed, superstable molecular bond in the muscle Z-disk.

ABSTRACT: Mechanical stability of bonds and protein interactions has recently become accessible through single molecule mechanical experiments. So far, mechanical information about molecular bond mechanics has been largely limited to a single direction of force application. However, mechanical force acts as a vector in space and hence mechanical stability should depend on the direction of force application. In skeletal muscle, the giant protein titin is anchored in the Z-disk by telethonin. Much of the structural integrity of the Z-disk hinges upon the titin-telethonin bond. In this paper we show that the complex between the muscle proteins titin and telethonin forms a highly directed molecular bond. It is designed to resist ultra-high forces if they are applied in the direction along which it is lo

SUBMITTER: Bertz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2726412 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature