Filament Organization in Vertebrate Smooth Muscle

Thin (actin), thick (myosin) and intermediate filaments are described in vertebrate smooth muscle. The thick filaments are present in relaxed, contracted, stretched and unstretched vertebrate smooth muscle and bear lateral projections suggestive of cross-bridges. The relatively regular thick filamen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Vol. 265; no. 867; pp. 223 - 229
Main Authors:	Somlyo, A. P., Devine, C. E., Somlyo, Avril V., Rice, R. V.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	London The Royal Society 15-03-1973
Subjects:	Acetylcholine - pharmacology Actins Animals Anura Electron microscopy Intermediate filaments Mesenteric veins Mesenteric Veins - cytology Mesenteric Veins - drug effects Mice Microfilaments Microscopy, Electron Muscle Contraction Muscle, Smooth - cytology Muscle, Smooth - drug effects Muscles Myofibrils Myosins Osmium Rabbits Smooth muscle The Mechanism of Contraction Vertebrates
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Summary:	Thin (actin), thick (myosin) and intermediate filaments are described in vertebrate smooth muscle. The thick filaments are present in relaxed, contracted, stretched and unstretched vertebrate smooth muscle and bear lateral projections suggestive of cross-bridges. The relatively regular thick filament lattice of the rabbit portal-anterior mesenteric vein can be aggregated by hypertonic solutions and excessive stretch. The intermediate filaments are morphologically distinct and clearly not breakdown products of thick filaments.
ISSN:	0080-4622 0962-8436 2054-0280
DOI:	10.1098/rstb.1973.0027