A sarcomere is defined as the segment between two neighbouring Z-lines (or Z-discs). In electron micrographs of cross-striated muscle, the Z-line (from the German "zwischen" meaning between ) appears in between the I-bands as a dark line that anchors the actin myofilaments.

The Z-disc, appearing as a fine dense line forming sarcomere boundaries in striated muscles, when studied in detail reveals crosslinked filament arrays that transmit tension and house myriads of proteins with diverse functions.

Jun 17, 2022 · The Z disc is where the actin filaments attach to and thereby serves as the anchoring point of actin filaments in a sarcomere. Synonym(s): intermediate disk (disc)

Z-discs (Z-disk, Z-line, Z-band) delineate the lateral borders of sarcomeres and are the smallest functional units in striated muscle. The core of a Z-disc consists of actin filaments coming from adjacent sarcomeres which are crosslinked by α actinin molecules .

Oct 26, 2024 · The Z-line, also known as the Z-disc, serves as a boundary within the sarcomere, marking the ends of each unit. This structure is primarily composed of a network of proteins that anchor the actin filaments, providing structural integrity and alignment.

Jan 8, 2015 · The Z disk (or Z line) defines the boundaries of a muscle sarcomere. Two adjacent Z disks along the myofibril mark the boundaries of a single sarcomere. The Z disks are the attachment sites for the thin filaments. Therefore, from each Z disk, thin filaments extend to two neighboring sarcomeres.

Mar 17, 2021 · This review will focus on six key Z-disc proteins: α-actinin 2, filamin C, myopalladin, myotilin, telethonin and Z-disc alternatively spliced PDZ-motif (ZASP), which have all been linked to myopathies and cardiomyopathies.

Oct 15, 2009 · Comprehensive reviews on the roles of the numerous proteins located at the Z-disc in signalling and disease have been published; the aim here is different, namely to review the advances in structural aspects of the Z-disc.

Mar 2, 2023 · This review discusses the various Z-disk proteins (alpha-actinin, filamin C, titin, muscle LIM protein, telethonin, myopalladin, nebulette, and nexilin) and Z-disk-associated proteins (desmin, and obscurin) and their role in cardiac structural stability and …

Jan 17, 2006 · In this review, we provide a systematic view on the currently known Z-disc components and the functional significance of the Z-disc as an interface between biomechanical sensing and signalling in cardiac and skeletal muscle functions and diseases.