An improved myosin affinity technique for the rapid extraction of actin and associated proteins from cell homogenates

A batch procedure for isolating actin and actin-associated proteins is presented. The method utilizes native, insoluble myosin thick filaments to extract actin from clarified cell homogenate. An ATP release step allows separation of actin from the myosin and offers improved resolution of the minor associated proteins. The activation of myosin ATPase and the identification of tropomyosin in the ATP release supernatants are discussed in terms of potential microfilament extraction.