myosin

myosin

myosin , one of the two major protein constituents responsible for contraction of muscle. In muscle cells myosin is arranged in long filaments called thick filaments that lie parallel to the microfilaments of actin . In muscle contraction, filaments of actin alternately chemically link and unlink with those of myosin in a creeping or sliding action. The energy for this reaction is supplied by adenosine triphosphate . Myosin and actin also function in the motility of diverse non-muscle cells. In slime molds , for example, although present in much smaller quantities and forming shorter filaments, the interaction of the two proteins is employed to change cell shape and permit some movements.

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"myosin." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"myosin." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-myosin.html

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myosin

myosin A contractile protein that interacts with actin to bring about contraction of muscle or cell movement. The type of myosin molecule found in muscle fibres consists of a tail, by which it aggregates with other myosin molecules to form so-called `thick filaments'; and a globular head, which has sites for the attachment of actin and ATP molecules. See sarcomere; sliding filament theory.

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"myosin." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"myosin." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-myosin.html

"myosin." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-myosin.html

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myosin

myosin (my-oh-sin) n. the most abundant protein in muscle fibrils, having the important properties of elasticity and contractility. See striated muscle.

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"myosin." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"myosin." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-myosin.html

"myosin." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-myosin.html

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myosin

myosin The predominant protein of the myofibrils of muscle cells. It has an unusual shape for a protein, having a globular head and a rod-like tail.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "myosin." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "myosin." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-myosin.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "myosin." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-myosin.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Kinaris Targeting Myosins with Allosteric Inhibitors.
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Magazine article from: The Biological Bulletin; 10/1/2003

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