Mercurial-Induced Transformation of Myosin Prevented by Adenosine Triphosphate and Pyrophosphate

Abstract

Adenosine triphosphate and pyrophosphate prevent the loss of Ca^÷÷-activated adenosine triphosphatase activity caused by high concentrations of mercurial sulfhydryl reagent. They concomitantly prevent the transformation of myosin into faster-sedimenting products. This is adduced as support for the hypothesis that the strategic sulfhydryl group is not binding adenosine triphosphate at the active site, but is initiating a conformational change upon its reaction with the mercurial reagent.