• Measurement of calcium-activated myosin ATPase activity when bound to thin filaments (TF)
• Identification of drugs targeting myosin/skeletal muscle TF complexes

The skeletal muscle TF complex has been assembled from purified skeletal muscle F-actin Cat. # AKL99 and Tropomyosin / Troponin protein Cat # TT05. The TF complex is composed of six proteins: Actin, Tropomyosin alpha, Tropomyosin, beta, Troponin C, Troponin I, and Troponin T, in a stoichiometric ratio of 7:1:1:1:1:1. The complex is supplied as a white lyophilized powder

Protein purity is determined by scanning densitometry of Coomassie Blue-stained protein on a 4-20% gradient polyacrylamide gel. The purity of the TF complex is >95%.

The biological activity of the skeletal muscle TF is determined from its ability to regulate myosin S1 ATPase activity. The TF re-creates coated filaments, which are analogous to the thin filaments of muscle fibers. Myosin is added in sub-stoichiometric amounts, and the reaction is initiated with ATP and calcium. Stringent quality control ensures that in the absence of exogenous calcium, the TF complex completely inhibits myosin S1 ATPase. Upon addition of 20 M calcium, myosin ATPase is restored. Calcium binds to Troponin C, which dissociates from F-actin, allowing myosin S1 to bind. A high-quality S1 myosin preparation is essential to obtain the best performance from the skeletal muscle TF complex.