Comparative force-velocity relation and analyses of myosin of dog atria and ventricles

The isolated muscle and purified myofibrillar proteins of canine atria and ventricles were compared relative to force-velocity relations and rate of adenosine 5'-triphosphatase (ATPase) activity as a function of calcium concentrations. The maximal stress development of isolated trabeculae of canine atria was similar to that of canine right ventricular papillary muscles when analyzed at saturating calcium concentrations (7.5 mM); however, stress was less in the atria when studied at normal calcium concentrations (2.5 mM). The maximal velocity of shortening of atrial trabeculae was about 2.3 times higher than that of ventricular muscle. Regulated actomyosin characterized from the myofibrillar proteins of the two tissues gave directionally similar calcium sensitivity. The maximum velocity of shortening for actin-activated atrial myosin of the dog was approximately 1.8 times higher when the latter was analyzed as a function of actin concentration. Both maximal tension of isolated muscle and regulated actomyosin ATPase activity were dependent on calcium concentration.