Paramyosin and the catch mechanism

1. Catch is a mechanism found in many molluscan smooth muscles in which tension is maintained at relatively low energy cost. 2. Paramyosin forms the core of thick filaments. In catch muscle paramyosin concentrations are high and the thick filaments are relatively long. 3. The mechanism of catch is not understood, but the consensus is that tension during catch is borne by slowly-cycling cross-bridge attachments to actin. 4. Stimulation by acetylcholine increases intracellular Ca2+ and initiates a contraction characterized by a relatively rapid cross-bridge cycling. Reduction of Ca2+ can lead to relaxation or catch. Relaxation occurs only when a second neurotransmitter, serotonin, is present. 5. The catch state is released by serotonin, via activation of adenylate cyclase, increased levels of cAMP and phosphorylation of one or more contractile proteins, possibly paramyosin. Other targets for phosphorylation are discussed. 6. The contractile cycle of catch muscles, therefore, is controlled by both Ca2+ and cAMP.