Phosphate and vanadate reduce the efficiency of the chemo-mechanical energy transformation in cardiac muscle.

Abstract

Trabecular preparations from the hog heart right ventricle were "skinned" by treatment with Lubrol WX and glycerol. Ca++ activated isometric contractions were gradedly relaxed by inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the millimolar range or vanadate (Vi) in the micromolar range while tension cost (ATP split/force generated) was increased by a factor of 1.75. From measurements of force, ATPase activity, immediate stiffness and stretch activation, evidence is provided that the mechanical deactivation and the increase in tension cost may result from an acceleration of the myosin cross-bridge cycle, due to a direct interference of Pi and Vi with the chemomechanical energy transformation at the contractile proteins. The possible significance of such a mechanism in cardiac failure or muscle fatigue is discussed.