Dimerization of the myosin heads in solution.

It is shown, by means of analytical ultracentrifugation, that skeletal myosin S-1 exists in the form of a monomer-dimer mixture, in rapid reversible equilibrium, sensitive to the hydrostatic pressure, the temperature, and the composition of the buffer (at least, pH, ionic strength, presence or absence of a Mg-(phosphate compound), and presence or absence of Mg2+). The dimer is predominant at high pH, at low ionic strength, in the presence of a Mg-(phosphate compound), at high pressure, and at low temperature. The monomer is predominant in the reverse conditions. At atmospheric pressure and at room temperature, in a buffer having a composition close to that of the physiological medium, but containing no Mg-(phosphate compound), the monomer is largely predominant (more than 90% at 1 mg/mL S-1). At atmospheric pressure and at room temperature, in a buffer containing a Mg-(phosphate compound) and having a composition close to that of the physiological medium, S-1 exists in the form of a monomer-dimer mixture, with a noticeable proportion of dimer (more than 25% at 1 mg/mL S-1 in the presence of 2 mM MgADP and 3 mM Mg2+). In such buffers, the monomer:dimer ratio is extremely sensitive to both the pH and the ionic strength. The sedimentation coefficients of the monomer and the dimer are respectively 5.05 +/- 0.05 S and 6.05 +/- 0.05 S. The two protomers making up the dimer are stuck together in an end-to-end arrangement. Both the monomer and the dimer are highly hydrated (about 0.9 g of water/g of protein for the monomer and probably more for the dimer).