Crystal Protein Store: Actomyosin

The structure of actomyosin, produced as a 3D etching inside a a block of clear glass 150 x 75 x 75mm (6" long).

This crystal ships with clear rubber feet to avoid scratches. Without a stand, it works best against a dark background.

This piece ships on a 1-week turnaround, by Federal Express in the United States, or by Air Mail to other countries.

This design, commissioned by Clive Bagshaw, is based on Ken Holmes et al.'s modelling of myosin II into the decorated filament structure (Holmes et al., Phil Tran R Soc B (2004) 359, 1819-1828) in the "pre-" and "post-power stroke" conformations. With the help of Dr. Peter Moody at Leicester University, one of the myosins was relocated to the opposite strand of the actin helix, so as to make best use of the glass.

Although we may argue there is more to muscle contraction than these two states, the model is useful to visualise the contact areas between actin and myosin, and the nature of the putative lever arm swing.

Part of the price goes to Dr. Bagshaw for use of the design, to be used towards future molecule models.

Actomyosin top

White light stand - $27

The white LED stand fits the actomyosin crystal in horizontal orientation.
(The stand that ships with actomyosin is longer than the stand pictured here.)

Myosin is here.