[Analysis and interaction of myosin active centers during a mechanochemical cycle]

A model of myosin complex with two active sites is considered. Each of the sites is supposed to pass through four states during a cycle of ATP hydrolysis. The model describes the distribution of the complex between states and the ATP hydrolysis rate as dependent on ATP concentration and reaction constants. Some of the constants were determined experimentally [6], but these values reproduce experimental curves [5] only with the assumption of cooperativity. If the first site is bind to actin, the rate of binding for the second one is shown to increase tenfold. If one of the sites is bind to actin by a "pulling" bridge, and the second site is in "rigor" state, then the ATP binding for the second site is about ten times faster. The transition into the rigor state proceeds much faster if both sites form pulling bridges. The rate of binding to actin is the same for one and for two sites.