Electrophoretic and electron microscopic examination of the adductor and diductor muscles of an articulate brachiopod, Terebratalia transversa

Abstract

The proteins of the striated adductor muscles, smooth adductor muscles, and diductor muscles of the articulate brachiopod Terebratalia transversa have been examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate – polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Electrophoretic patterns indicate the presence of paramyosin in all of these valve muscles. Tentative identification has also been made of the proteins responsible for actin and for myosin regulation of contraction (troponin–tropomyosin and myosin light chains, respectively). The myofilaments of the striated adductor cells, smooth adductor cells, and diductor cells have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The smooth adductor cells and the diductor cells exhibit very thick myofilaments which are fusiform in shape, exceptionally long, and axially banded. Morphological features of these thick myofilaments are consistent with those of paramyosin filaments found in other muscles and myoepithelia. Although the striated adductor cells contain paramyosin, it is not manifest in the thick myofilaments.