Key result
Optimized fluorescence assays reveal myosin ATP binding follows 2 to 3 exponential processes.
Why the study?
Results from recent single-molecule studies of fluorescent ATP turnover by myosin have been difficult to reconcile with ensemble studies.
Optimizing single-molecule TIRF assays by eliminating dye photophysics and surface contaminants resolves discrepancies with ensemble studies and reveals a non-specific ATP binding process on myosin.
Reconciles single-molecule and ensemble myosin kinetics; leaves open in vivo cardiac translation.
Benefits of single molecule studies of biomolecules include the need for minimal amounts of material and the potential to reveal phenomena hidden in ensembles. However, results from recent single molecule studies of fluorescent ATP turnover by myosin are difficult to reconcile with ensemble studies. We found that key reasons are complexities due to dye photophysics and fluorescent contaminants. After eliminating these, through surface cleaning and use of triple state quenchers and redox agents, the distributions of ATP binding dwell times on myosin are best described by 2 to 3 exponential processes, with and without actin, and with and without the inhibitor para-aminoblebbistatin. Two processes are attributable to ATP turnover by myosin and actomyosin respectively, whereas the remaining process (rate constant 0.2–0.5 s −1 ) is consistent with non-specific ATP binding to myosin, possibly accelerating ATP transport to the active site. Finally, our study of actin-activated myosin ATP turnover without sliding between actin and myosin reveals heterogeneity in the ATP turnover kinetics consistent with models of isometric contraction.
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Ušaj et al. (2021) studied this question. Optimized single-molecule assay conditions (surface cleaning, triple state quenchers, redox agents) vs. Standard in vitro motility assay conditions was evaluated on ATP binding dwell times on myosin. Optimized single-molecule fluorescence assays eliminated photophysical artifacts and revealed that ATP binding dwell times on myosin are best described by 2 to 3 exponential processes.
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