Kinetic equilibrium of forces and molecular events in muscle contraction

In biomolecular systems, the mechanical transfer of free energy occurs with both high efficiency and high speed, It is shown here that such a transfer can be achieved only if the participating free-energy-storing elements exh ibit opposing relationships between their content of free energy and the fo rce they exert in the transfer direction, A kinetic equilibrium of forces ( KEF) results, in which the transfer of free energy is mediated essentially by thermal molecular motion, On the basis of present evidence, KEF is used as a guiding principle in developing a mechanical model of the crossbridge cycle in muscle contraction. The model allows the basic features of molecul ar events to be visualized in terms of plausible structures, Real understan ding of the process will require identification of the elements that perfor m the functions described here. Besides chemomechanical energy transduction , KEF may have a role in other biomolecular processes in which free energy is transferred mechanically over large distances.