PRESENCE OF THREE ACTIN TYPES IN SKELETAL MUSCLE OF CHICK EMBRYOS

The types of actin present during development of skeletal muscle in chick embryos were investigated by various electrophoretic methods. The proportions of the actin types in the tissue were estimated by a novel method involving separation of actin bands by electrophoresis, staining of the bands with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250, extraction of dye and measurement of its absorbance. Results showed that α-, β- and γ-actins were all present in embryonic skeletal muscle and were assembled into myofibrils. However, β- and γ-actins disappeared from myofibrils as muscle development proceeded. In embryonic muscle, the proportions of the three actin types in the soluble and myofibril fractions were different: their amounts were in the order β>γ>α in the soluble fraction, and α>β>γ in the myofibril fraction.