Force enhancement by PEG during ramp stretches of skeletal muscle

We have investigated the effects of a stronger actomyosin bond on force (Ps) during rapid stretch of active permeabilized rabbit psoas muscle fibers as a function of temperature from 5 to 30°C. The strength of the actomyosin bond is enhanced by addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG), especially in pre-powerstroke states [Chinn et al. (2000) Biophys J49: 437–451]. We have hypothesized that such states produce much of the force when activated muscles are stretched [Getz et al. (1998) Biophys J75: 2971–2983]. Addition of PEG to activated fibers produced a small increase in isometric tension, Po (50–90 kN/m2), which was approximately independent of temperature. In contrast PEG produced a dramatic increase in Ps at low temperatures (200–300 kN/m2), but a modest increase at higher temperatures (70–90 kN/m2). We also measured Ps and Po in solutions containing the phosphate analog aluminum fluoride (AlF4) with and without PEG. In the absence of PEG, AlF4 reduced Po much more than Ps. Addition of PEG did not enhance Po, but enhanced Ps significantly. The contrasting effects of PEG on Ps and Po, and the effect of temperature can be explained by a model in which stretch force is produced by pre-powerstroke cross-bridges whose maximum distension is increased by PEG, and isometric force is produced by strongly bound cross-bridges whose bond strength is also enhanced by PEG, but to a lesser extent.