μ-Calpain is involved in the postmortem proteolysis of gizzard smooth muscle

Postmortem changes in proteins that have been implicated in affecting muscle integrity were examined in goose (GG) and duck (DG) gizzard smooth muscle stored at 5 °C. GG and DG smooth muscles were sampled at 0, 1, 3 and 7 day of storage. The pH was approximately 7 in both GG and DG samples during postmortem storage. Casein zymograms showed that 0-day μ-calpain activity was higher (p < 0.05) in GG than in DG samples. As postmortem time progressed, μ-calpain was activated and autolyzed more extensively in GG than in DG samples. However, μ/m-calpain remained relatively stable in both samples. Western blots indicated that postmortem desmin degradation was more rapid in GG than in DG samples. In contrast, α-actinin remained nearly unchanged in both samples. Therefore, our results suggest that μ-calpain has an important role in the postmortem proteolysis of gizzard smooth muscle.