Localization of binding sites of F-protein (phosphofructokinase) on the myosin molecule

To determine the location of F-protein binding sites on myosin, the interaction of F-protein with myosin and its proteolytic fragments in 0.1 M KCl, 10 mM potassium phosphate, pH 6.5, has been investigated using sedimentation, electron microscopy and optical diffraction methods. Sedimentation experiments show that F-protein can bind to myosin and myosin rod rather than to light meromyosin or subfragment-1. The F-protein binding to myosin and rod is of a similar character. The calculated values of the constants of F-protein binding to myosin and rod are 2.6 X 10(5) M-1 and 2.1 X 10(5) M-1, respectively. The binding sites are probably located on the subfragment-2 portion of the myosin molecule. The number of the F-protein binding sites calculated per chain weight of 80,000 is 5 +/- 1. Electron microscopic observations confirm the sedimentation results. F-protein does not bind to light meromyosin paracrystals, but decorates myosin and rod filaments with the interval of 14.3 nm regardless of whether F-protein is added prior to or after filamentogenesis. The comparison of optical diffraction patterns obtained from myosin and rod filaments with those from decorated ones reveals the marked enhancement of meridional reflection at (14.3 nm)-1 in the latter case. Neither the increase in ionic strength from 0.1 to 0.15 and pH from 6.5 to 7.3 nor substitution of potassium phosphate buffer by imidazole-HCl buffer, or Tris-HCl influences F-protein binding to myosin and rod filaments as visualized by electron microscopy. The possible significance of F-protein location in the thick filament structure is discussed.