Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Myosin-Specific Adaptations of In vitro Fluorescence Microscopy-Based Motility Assays
Published on: February 4, 2021
Identification of the essential light chains of myosin
Abstract:
The molecular weights of light chains associated with adult and embryonic chick myosin have been determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate. Adult muscle myosin contains three light chains with molecular weights averaging 27,700, 21,000, and 16,500, while the embryonic form contains only the two largest of these three. Recombination and hybridization experiments have been performed with these samples. The data clearly demonstrate that only two light chains are required for the expression of the full ATPase activity of myosin. The third light chain consistently is associated with adult myosin, but definitive evidence for its role is lacking.
Related Concept Videos
Cytoskeletal Accessory Proteins
Introduction to Actin
Overview of Myosin Structure and Function
Actin and Myosin in Muscle Contraction
Role of Myosin in Cell Migration
Myosin II is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...
The Sarcomere
Each myosin...

