Polarity and length of actin filaments at the fascia adherens of the cardiac intercalated disk

Abstract

Digestion of canine and bovine intercalated disks with a calcium-activated protease (CAF) removes the electron-dense material similar to that found at the Z-line and presumably consisting primarily of α-actinin. The major filaments exposed by CAF are actin, andthe polarity is away from the intercalated disk, as was confirmed by decoration with heavy meromyosin. The length of actin filaments associated with the fascia adherens region at the concave region is 1.2- to 2.2-fold that of actin filaments (I-filaments) in the sarcomere and varies depending on the interdigitation of the membrane at the cell junction. Actin filaments at the intercalated disk seem to be attached (or very close) to the membrane in a direct, rather than looping, manner.