ROLE OF CONNECTIN IN THE LENGTH-TENSION RELATION OF SKELETAL AND CARDIAC MUSCLES

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Abstract
Resting length-tension relation was studied in glycerinated preparations of frog semitendinosus and atrial muscles. The sarcomere length was measured by using either the light diffraction method or photomicrographs. When the glycerinated preparation was treated with 1 N NaOH solution and subsequently with 2% SDS [sodium dodecyl sulfate] solution, the resting tension decreased. In glycerinated semitendinosus muscle the resting tension decreased to below 20% of the value before treatment. The glycerinated atrial muscle retained more than 50% of its resting tension in spite of such biochemical treatment. Since connectin survived the biochemical treatment (either NaOH or SDS), the fraction of resting tension, which remained in spite of the biochemical treatments, may be due to the connectin.