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Inhibition of myosin ATPase by beryllium fluoride

B Phan1, E Reisler

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.

Biochemistry
|May 26, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Beryllium fluoride inhibits myosin ATPase by binding to the M.ADP state, forming a stable complex through a multi-step process. This inhibition mechanism is similar to that observed with vanadate.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology
  • Muscle Physiology

Background:

  • Myosin subfragment 1 (S-1) is a key motor protein involved in muscle contraction.
  • Understanding the regulation of myosin ATPase activity is crucial for elucidating muscle function.
  • Beryllium fluoride (BeF3-) is known to mimic phosphate transition states in enzyme inhibition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism by which beryllium fluoride inhibits myosin S-1 ATPase activity.
  • To determine the binding state and kinetic pathway of beryllium fluoride inhibition.
  • To compare the inhibitory effects of beryllium fluoride with vanadate.

Main Methods:

  • Studying the inhibition of myosin S-1 ATPase activity in the presence of MgATP and MgADP.
  • Analyzing the kinetics of inhibition, including rates and dependence on BeF3- concentration.
  • Utilizing tryptophan fluorescence and epsilon ADP chase experiments to characterize the inhibited complex.

Main Results:

  • Beryllium fluoride inhibits myosin ATPase slowly, with rates analogous to vanadate inhibition.
  • Inhibition kinetics suggest BeF3- binds to the M.ADP state of myosin.
  • A multi-step inhibition process was identified, involving rapid binding, slow isomerization, and irreversible complex formation.
  • The M++.ADP.BeF3- complex exhibits altered fluorescence properties and reduced epsilon ADP quenching.

Conclusions:

  • Beryllium fluoride acts as an inhibitor of myosin S-1 ATPase by binding to the M.ADP state.
  • The inhibition pathway involves a stable M++.ADP.BeF3- complex, analogous to M++.ADP.Vi and M**.ADP.Pi states.
  • These findings provide insights into the transition state analog inhibition of myosin ATPase.

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