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. 1967 Sep 1;34(3):827–840. doi: 10.1083/jcb.34.3.827

MODELS OF MUSCLE Z-BAND FINE STRUCTURE BASED ON A LOOPING FILAMENT CONFIGURATION

Douglas E Kelly 1
PMCID: PMC2107182  PMID: 6050948

Abstract

The fine architecture of skeletal muscle Z bands is considered in view of stereo electron microscopical evidence and current biochemical and immunological concepts, and a new Z-band model is proposed. This model is based on a looping, interlinking configuration, within the Z band, of strands which emanate from I-band (actin) filaments of adjacent sarcomeres. Two versions of the model seem presently feasible: one in which the Z-band lattice is composed of actin loops; and another in which the same pattern is derived from tropomyosin. Either version satisfies actual electron micrograph images as well as or better than prior Z-band models. Moreover, the principle of looping linkage in filament-to-filament attachment can be related to similar filament patterns seen in several adhesion sites where intracellular filaments insert on cell membranes.

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Selected References

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