The action of motor proteins
There exist special protein molecules, called motor proteins. They perform mechanical
work in the cell. The motor protein (myosin) typically "walks" on a
specific substratum like the actine filament. The energy comes from the adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) molecules. The undesired activity of the myosin is prevented
by covering the active sites of the actine filament with the inhibitory protein
complexes (tropomyosine and troponine). The calcium ions interact with the troponine
and afterwards the coat deforms exposing the active sites where walks the myosin.
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