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A Beetle Flight Muscle Displays Leg Muscle Microstructure
Toshiki Shimomura1, Hiroyuki Iwamoto2, Tat Thang Vo Doan3
1Department of Physics, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
Biophysical Journal
|September 23, 2016
Summary
The Mecynorrhina torquata beetle
Area of Science:
- Insect flight mechanics
- Muscle physiology
- Biomechanical engineering
Background:
- The third axillary (3Ax) muscle in Mecynorrhina torquata is a minor flight muscle.
- It performs a powerful mechanical function disproportionate to its small size.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microstructural basis for the high power output of the 3Ax muscle.
- To understand how this small muscle generates significant force for flight control.
Main Methods:
- Synchrotron x-ray diffraction
- Optical microscopy
- Immunoblotting analysis
Main Results:
- The 3Ax muscle exhibits long myofilaments (∼5 μm) and a high thick-to-thin filament ratio (1:5 or 1:6).
- These structural features differ from major flight muscles and resemble those of leg muscles.
- The flight-muscle-specific troponin H (TnH) isoform is not expressed in the 3Ax muscle.
Conclusions:
- The unique microstructure of the 3Ax muscle, characterized by long myofilaments and a specific filament ratio, enables it to generate high tension.
- This specialized structure allows the small 3Ax muscle to powerfully control wing stroke amplitude for turning or flight cessation.
