Characterization of Hypercontracted Fibers in Skeletal Muscle of Domestic Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo)

Several different muscles from a population of thirty Large White male turkeys were studied by histological and histochemical methods, and a high incidence of hypercontracted fibers was noted . The fibers were characterized in cross-section by an apparent swelling, a rounded rather than polygonal shape and a homogenous appearance. They were eosinophilic, positive to Gomori-trichrome and appeared to have an elevated lipid content. An unusual histochemical profile was noted. It was postulated that the hypercontracted fibers were real , not artifnctual, and resulted from some change occurring in the muscle

Atomic details of near-transition state conformers for enzyme phosphoryl transfer revealed by MgF3- rather than by phosphoranes

Prior evidence supporting the direct observation of phosphorane intermediates in enzymatic phosphoryl transfer reactions was based on the interpretation of electron density corresponding to trigonal species bridging the donor and acceptor atoms. Close examination of the crystalline state of β-phosphoglucomutase, the archetypal phosphorane intermediate-containing enzyme, reveals that the trigonal species is not PO3-, but is MgF3- (trifluoromagnesate). Although MgF3- complexes are transition state analogues rather than phosphoryl group transfer reaction intermediates, the presence of fluorine nuclei in near-transition state conformations offers new opportunities to explore the nature of the interactions, in particular the independent measures of local electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding distributions using F19 NMR. Measurements on three β-PGM-MgF3--sugar phosphate complexes show a remarkable relationship between NMR chemical shifts, primary isotope shifts, NOEs, cross hydrogen bond F⋯H-N scalar couplings, and the atomic positions determined from the high-resolution crystal structure of the β-PGM-MgF3--G6P complex. The measurements provide independent validation of the structural and isoelectronic MgF3- model of near-transition state conformations