Propagation of a signal coordinating force generation along an actin filament in actomyosin complexes

Force generation due to ATP hydrolysis by myosin molecules contacting an actin filament was found to be coordinated along the filament. We marked several points along the actin filament with the aid of a fluorescent material, and measured the temporal development of the acceleration of each marked point in the stationary coordinate space. Variations in the acceleration of the sliding movement of the actin filament propagated backward along the filament. Variations in the acceleration propagating in the direction, opposite to the direction of the sliding movement show that force generation at each active site of an actomyosin complex could be regulated in a communicative manner along the actin filament. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.