Diminished content of plasma membrane-associated myosin in transformed fibroblasts.
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abstract
MYOSIN, a major contractile element of muscle, has been found in a variety of non-muscle cells such as platelets1,2, fibroblasts3,4, brain tissue5, amoebae6 and slime mould7. It is localised in the plasma membrane8 as well as in the cytosol 4 of cultured fibroblasts. Although no definite function has been established for non-muscle myosins, they may participate in cellular movement, mitosis, changes in cell shape and related functions. We have examined the protein subunit composition of plasma membranes from normal and transformed fibroblasts with a particular emphasis on determining the content of plasma membrane-associated myosin. We present here evidence that the content of plasma membrane-associated myosin is diminished in transformed fibroblasts. This decrease may in part account for the abnormal shape and loss of contact inhibition of movement of transformed cells9. 1976 Nature Publishing Group.