Chemicals and Drugs

Myosins

A diverse superfamily of proteins that function as translocating proteins. They share the common characteristics of being able to bind ACTINS and hydrolyze MgATP. Myosins generally consist of heavy chains which are involved in locomotion, and light chains which are involved in regulation. Within the structure of myosin heavy chain are three domains: the head, the neck and the tail. The head region of the heavy chain contains the actin binding domain and MgATPase domain which provides energy for locomotion. The neck region is involved in binding the light-chains. The tail region provides the anchoring point that maintains the position of the heavy chain. The superfamily of myosins is organized into structural classes based upon the type and arrangement of the subunits they contain.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A diverse superfamily of proteins that function as translocating proteins. They share the common characteristics of being able to bind ACTINS and hydrolyze MgATP. Myosins generally consist of heavy chains which are involved in locomotion, and light chains which are involved in regulation. Within the structure of myosin heavy chain are three domains: the head, the neck and the tail. The head region of the heavy chain contains the actin binding domain and MgATPase domain which provides energy for locomotion. The neck region is involved in binding the light-chains. The tail region provides the anchoring point that maintains the position of the heavy chain. The superfamily of myosins is organized into structural classes based upon the type and arrangement of the subunits they contain.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

15 entry terms
  • ATPase, Actin-Activated
  • ATPase, Myosin
  • Actin-Activated ATPase
  • Adenosine Triphosphatase, Myosin
  • Adenosinetriphosphatase, Myosin
  • Myosin
  • Myosin ATPase
  • Myosin Adenosinetriphosphatase
  • ATPase, Actin Activated
  • Actin Activated ATPase
  • Myosin Adenosine Triphosphatase
  • ATPase, Actomyosin
  • Actomyosin ATPase
  • Actomyosin Adenosinetriphosphatase
  • Adenosinetriphosphatase, Actomyosin

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

29 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

general or unspecified; prefer specifics

MeSH Record

History Note

2002(1971); use ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATASE 1963-1968; for MYOSIN ATPASE use ADENOSINETRIPHOSPHATASE 1984-1988; for ACTOMYOSIN ATPASE use ADENOSINETRIPHOSPHATASE 1985-1988

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Adenosine Triphosphatase (1966-1968)
  • Muscle Proteins (1966-1970)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D05.750w.078w.730.475w
  2. D08.811w.277w.040w.025w.193w.750w
  3. D12.776w.210.500.600w
  4. D12.776w.220.525.475w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Myosins. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D009218. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D009218
  2. Myosins. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myosin
  3. Myosins. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q271727