Cross-linking of native myosin forms oligomers of myosin heavy chain dimers.

Chemical cross-linking of native myosin in 0.6 M NaCl with p-phenylene bis maleimide or glutaraldehyde resulted in rapid formation of myosin heavy chain dimers and their oligomers. Monomers and odd-number oligomers disappeared after the prolonged treatment with these reagents. When denatured myosin was cross-linking, myosin heavy chain monomers and odd-number oligomers remained after the prolonged treatment, although dimers and their even-number oligomers were abundant. For high molecular weight markers, myosin heavy chain oligomers formed from denatured myosin with glutaraldehyde or p-phenylene bis maleimide are recommended.