Functional Role of an Unusual Transmembrane Acidic Residue in the Calcium Pump Regulator Myoregulin.

Myoregulin (MLN) is a member of the regulin family, a group of homologous membrane proteins that bind to and regulate the activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA). MLN, which is expressed in skeletal muscle, contains an acidic residue in its transmembrane domain. The location of this residue, Asp35, is unusual because the relative occurrence of aspartate is very rare (<0.2%) within the transmembrane helix regions. Therefore, we used atomistic simulations and ATPase activity assays of protein co-reconstitutions to probe the functional role of MLN residue Asp35. These structural and functional studies showed Asp35 has no effects on SERCA's affinity for Ca2+ or the structural integrity of MLN in the lipid bilayer. Instead, Asp35 controls SERCA inhibition by populating a bound-like orientation of MLN. We propose Asp35 provides a functional advantage over other members of the regulin family by populating preexisting MLN conformations required for MLN-specific regulation of SERCA. Overall, this study provides new clues about the evolution and functional divergence of the regulin family and offers novel insights into the functional role of acidic residues in transmembrane protein domains.

High-resolution structure of the membrane-embedded skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor.

The type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR)/calcium release channel on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is required for skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling and is the largest known ion channel, composed of four 565-kDa protomers. Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies of the RyR have primarily used detergent to solubilize the channel; in the present study, we have used cryo-EM to solve high-resolution structures of the channel in liposomes using a gel-filtration approach with on-column detergent removal to form liposomes and incorporate the channel simultaneously. This allowed us to resolve the structure of the channel in the primed and open states at 3.4 and 4.0 Å, respectively, with a single dataset. This method offers validation for detergent-based structures of the RyR and offers a starting point for utilizing a chemical gradient mimicking the SR, where Ca2+ concentrations are millimolar in the lumen and nanomolar in the cytosol.

Effect of sarcoplasmic proteins oxidation on the gel properties of myofibrillar proteins from pork muscles.

This study investigated the influence of sarcoplasmic proteins (SPs) treated by the oxidation system (0.1 mmol/L FeCl3 , 0.1 mmol/L ascorbic acid, and 0, 1, 5, 10 mmol/L H2 O2 ) on the properties of pork myofibrillar proteins (MPs) gel. After oxidation treatment, the SPs showed an increased in carbonyl content and a decreased in total sulfhydryl content, coupled with the cross-linking of protein components by disulfide bonds and covalent bonds. The MPs gel with SPs oxidized at 1 mmol/L H2 O2 exhibited the maximal strength while the minimal water holding capacity (WHC). The WHC of MPs gel was significantly decreased with increasing SPs oxidation, leading to the increase of free water and the decrease of immobilized water in the gel system. The microstructures of MPs gels with moderately (1 mmol/L H2 O2 ) oxidized SPs showed a more compact and smaller pore gel network than MPs alone, suggesting adding oxidized SPs can expel water trapped in the gel. Furthermore, the environmental polarity of aliphatic C-H groups increased with SPs oxidation.

Pathological conformations of disease mutant Ryanodine Receptors revealed by cryo-EM.

Ryanodine Receptors (RyRs) are massive channels that release Ca2+ from the endoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticulum. Hundreds of mutations are linked to malignant hyperthermia (MH), myopathies, and arrhythmias. Here, we explore the first MH mutation identified in humans by providing cryo-EM snapshots of the pig homolog, R615C, showing that it affects an interface between three solenoid regions. We also show the impact of apo-calmodulin (apoCaM) and how it can induce opening by bending of the bridging solenoid, mediated by its N-terminal lobe. For R615C RyR1, apoCaM binding abolishes a pathological 'intermediate' conformation, distributing the population to a mixture of open and closed channels, both different from the structure without apoCaM. Comparisons show that the mutation primarily affects the closed state, inducing partial movements linked to channel activation. This shows that disease mutations can cause distinct pathological conformations of the RyR and facilitate channel opening by disrupting interactions between different solenoid regions.

Peptide mimetic compounds can activate or inhibit cardiac and skeletal ryanodine receptors.

AIMS: Our aim was to characterise the actions of novel BIT compounds with structures based on peptides and toxins that bind to significant regulatory sites on ryanodine receptor (RyR) Ca2+ release channels. RyRs, located in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ store membranes of striated muscle, are essential for muscle contraction. Although severe sometimes-deadly myopathies occur when the channels become hyperactive following genetic or acquired changes, specific inhibitors of RyRs are rare. MAIN METHODS: The effect of BIT compounds was determined by spectrophotometric analysis of Ca2+ release from isolated SR vesicles, analysis of single RyR channel activity in artificial lipid bilayers and contraction of intact and skinned skeletal muscle fibres. KEY FINDINGS: The inhibitory compounds reduced: (a) Ca2+ release from SR vesicles with IC50s of 1.1-2.5 µM, competing with activation by parent peptides and toxins; (b) single RyR ion channel activity with IC50s of 0.5-1.5 µM; (c) skinned fibre contraction. In contrast, activating BIT compounds increased Ca2+ release with an IC50 of 5.0 µM and channel activity with AC50s of 2 to 12 nM and enhanced skinned fibre contraction. Sub-conductance activity dominated channel activity with both inhibitors and activators. Effects of all compounds on skeletal and cardiac RyRs were similar and reversible. Competition experiments suggest that the BIT compounds bind to the regulatory helical domains of the RyRs that impact on channel gating mechanisms through long-range allosteric interactions. SIGNIFICANCE: The BIT compounds are strong modulators of RyR activity and provide structural templates for novel research tools and drugs to combat muscle disease.

ANS Interacts with the Ca2+-ATPase Nucleotide Binding Site.

The binding of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) to the nucleotide binding domain (N-domain) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) was studied. Molecular docking predicted two ANS binding modes (BMI and BMII) in the nucleotide binding site. The molecular interaction was confirmed as the fluorescence intensity of ANS was dramatically increased when in the presence of an engineered recombinant N-domain. Molecular dynamics simulation showed BMI (which occupies the ATP binding site) as the mode that is stable in solution. The above was confirmed by the absence of ANS fluorescence in the presence of a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled N-domain. Further, the labeling of the N-domain with FITC was hindered by the presence of ANS, i.e., ANS was bound to the ATP binding site. Importantly, ANS displayed a higher affinity than ATP. In addition, ANS binding led to quenching the N-domain intrinsic fluorescence displaying a FRET pattern, which suggested the existence of a Trp-ANS FRET couple. Nonetheless, the chemical modification of the sole Trp residue with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) discarded the existence of FRET and instead indicated structural rearrangements in the nucleotide binding site during ANS binding. Finally, Ca2+-ATPase kinetics in the presence of ANS showed a partial mixed-type inhibition. The Dixon plot showed the ANS-Ca2+-ATPase complex as catalytically active, hence supporting the existence of a functional dimeric Ca2+-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. ANS may be used as a molecular platform for the development of more effective inhibitors of Ca2+-ATPase and appears to be a new fluorescent probe for the nucleotide binding site. Graphical Abstract Molecular docking of ANS to the nucleotide binding site of Ca2+-ATPase. ANS fluorescence increase reveals molecular interaction.

Important Role of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Release via Ryanodine Receptor-2 Channel in Hypoxia-Induced Rieske Iron-Sulfur Protein-Mediated Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Generation in Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells.

Aims: It is known that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation ([ROS]m) causes the release of Ca2+via ryanodine receptor-2 (RyR2) on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), playing an essential role in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). In this study, we sought to determine whether hypoxia-induced RyR2-mediated Ca2+ release may in turn promote [ROS]m in PASMCs and the underlying signaling mechanism. Results: Our data reveal that application of caffeine or norepinephrine to induce Ca2+ release increased [ROS]m in PASMCs. Likewise, exogenous Ca2+ augmented ROS generation in isolated mitochondria and at complex III from PASMCs. Inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) with Ru360 attenuated agonist-induced [ROS]m. Ru360 produced a similar inhibitory effect on hypoxia-induced [ROS]m. Rieske iron-sulfur protein (RISP) gene knockdown inhibited Ca2+- and caffeine-induced [ROS]m. Inhibition of RyR2 by tetracaine or RyR2 gene knockout suppressed hypoxia-induced [ROS]m as well. Innovation: In this article, we present convincing evidence that Ca2+ release following hypoxia or RyR simulation causes a significant increase in MCU, and the increased MCU subsequently RISP-dependent [ROS]m, which provides a positive feedback mechanism to enhance hypoxia-initiated [ROS]m in PASMCs. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that hypoxia-induced mitochondrial ROS-dependent SR RyR2-mediated Ca2+ release increases MCU and then RISP-dependent [ROS]m in PASMCs, which may make significant contributions to HPV and associated pulmonary hypertension.

A secretory pathway kinase regulates sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ homeostasis and protects against heart failure.

Ca2+ signaling is important for many cellular and physiological processes, including cardiac function. Although sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) proteins involved in Ca2+ signaling have been shown to be phosphorylated, the biochemical and physiological roles of protein phosphorylation within the lumen of the SR remain essentially uncharacterized. Our laboratory recently identified an atypical protein kinase, Fam20C, which is uniquely localized to the secretory pathway lumen. Here, we show that Fam20C phosphorylates several SR proteins involved in Ca2+ signaling, including calsequestrin2 and Stim1, whose biochemical activities are dramatically regulated by Fam20C mediated phosphorylation. Notably, phosphorylation of Stim1 by Fam20C enhances Stim1 activation and store-operated Ca2+ entry. Physiologically, mice with Fam20c ablated in cardiomyocytes develop heart failure following either aging or induced pressure overload. We extended these observations to show that non-muscle cells lacking Fam20C display altered ER Ca2+ signaling. Overall, we show that Fam20C plays an overarching role in ER/SR Ca2+ homeostasis and cardiac pathophysiology.

Mechanism of the E2 to E1 transition in Ca2+ pump revealed by crystal structures of gating residue mutants.

Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA1a) pumps two Ca2+ per ATP hydrolyzed from the cytoplasm and two or three protons in the opposite direction. In the E2 state, after transferring Ca2+ into the lumen of sarcoplasmic reticulum, all of the acidic residues that coordinate Ca2+ are thought to be protonated, including the gating residue Glu309. Therefore a Glu309Gln substitution is not expected to significantly perturb the structure. Here we report crystal structures of the Glu309Gln and Glu309Ala mutants of SERCA1a under E2 conditions. The Glu309Gln mutant exhibits, unexpectedly, large structural rearrangements in both the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains, apparently uncoupling them. However, the structure definitely represents E2 and, together with the help of quantum chemical calculations, allows us to postulate a mechanism for the E2 → E1 transition triggered by deprotonation of Glu309.

Effects of High-Pressure Treatment on the Muscle Proteome of Hake by Bottom-Up Proteomics.

A bottom-up proteomics approach was applied for the study of the effects of high-pressure (HP) treatment on the muscle proteome of fish. The performance of the approach was established for a previous HP treatment (150-450 MPa for 2 min) on frozen (up to 5 months at -10 °C) European hake ( Merluccius merluccius). Concerning possible protein biomarkers of quality changes, a significant degradation after applying a pressure ≥430 MPa could be observed for phosphoglycerate mutase-1, enolase, creatine kinase, fructose bisphosphate aldolase, triosephosphate isomerase, and nucleoside diphosphate kinase; contrary, electrophoretic bands assigned to tropomyosin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and beta parvalbumin increased their intensity after applying a pressure ≥430 MPa. This repository of potential protein biomarkers may be very useful for further HP investigations related to fish quality.

Fish sarcoplasmic proteins as a high value marine material for wound dressing applications.

Fish sarcoplasmic proteins (FSP) constitute around 25-30% of the total fish muscle protein. As the FSP are water soluble, FSP were isolated from fresh cod (Gadus morhua) by centrifugation. By SDS-PAGE, it was possible to determine the composition of FSP extracts (FSP-E). The FSP-E undergo denaturation at 44.12 ±â€¯2.34°â€¯C, as characterized by differential scanning calorimetry thermograms (DSC). The secondary structure of FSP-E is mainly composed by α-helix structure, as determined by circular dichroism. The cytocompatibility of FSP-E, at concentrations ranging from 5 to 20 mg/mL, was investigated. Concentrations lower than 10 mg/mL have no cytotoxicity cultures of fibroblasts over 72 h. Further on, FSP membranes (FSP-M) were produced by spin coating to evaluate its properties. FSP-M shown having uniform surface as analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The relative amount of α-helix structures is higher when compared with the FSP-E. The FSP-M have higher temperature stability than the FSP-E, since they presented a denaturation temperature of 58.88 ±â€¯3.36°â€¯C, according to the DSC analysis. FSP-M shown distinctive mechanical properties, with a stiffness of 16.57 ±â€¯3.95 MPa and a yield strength of 23.85 ±â€¯5.97 MPa. Human lung fibroblasts cell lines (MRC-5) were cultured in direct contact with FSP-M, demonstrating its cytocompatibility for 48 h. Based on these results, FSP can be considered a potential biomaterial recovered from nature, for wound dressing applications.

Nanodisc-based kinetic assays reveal distinct effects of phospholipid headgroups on the phosphoenzyme transition of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase.

Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase catalyzes ATP-driven Ca2+ transport from the cytoplasm to the lumen and is critical for a range of cell functions, including muscle relaxation. Here, we investigated the effects of the headgroups of the 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl glycerophospholipids phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase embedded into a nanodisc, a lipid-bilayer construct harboring the specific lipid. We found that Ca2+-ATPase activity in a PC bilayer is comparable with that of SR vesicles and is suppressed in the other phospholipids, especially in PS. Ca2+ affinity at the high-affinity transport sites in PC was similar to that of SR vesicles, but 2-3-fold reduced in PE and PS. Ca2+ on- and off-rates in the non-phosphorylated ATPase were markedly reduced in PS. Rate-limiting phosphoenzyme (EP) conformational transition in 0.1 m KCl was as rapid in PC as in SR vesicles, but slowed in other phospholipids, especially in PS. Using kinetic plots of the logarithm of rate versus the square of mean activity coefficient of solutes in 0.1-1 m KCl, we noted that PC is optimal for the EP transition, but PG and especially PS had markedly unfavorable electrostatic effects, and PE exhibited a strong non-electrostatic restriction. Thus, the major SR membrane lipid PC is optimal for all steps and, unlike the other headgroups, contributes favorable electrostatics and non-electrostatic elements during the EP transition. Our analyses further revealed that the surface charge of the lipid bilayer directly modulates the transition rate.

Mass spectrometric identification of dystrophin, the protein product of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene, in distinct muscle surface membranes.

Supramolecular membrane complexes of low abundance are difficult to study by routine bioanalytical techniques. The plasmalemmal complex consisting of sarcoglycans, dystroglycans, dystrobrevins and syntrophins, which is closely associated with the membrane cytoskeletal protein dystrophin, represents such a high­molecular­mass protein assembly in skeletal muscles. The almost complete loss of the dystrophin isoform Dp427­M and concomitant reduction in the dystrophin­associated glycoprotein complex is the underlying cause of the highly progressive neuromuscular disorder named Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This gives the detailed characterization of the dystrophin complex considerable pathophysiological importance. In order to carry out a comprehensive mass spectrometric identification of the dystrophin­glycoprotein complex, in this study, we used extensive subcellular fractionation and enrichment procedures prior to subproteomic analysis. Mass spectrometry identified high levels of full­length dystrophin isoform Dp427­M, α/ß­dystroglycans, α/ß/γ/δ­sarcoglycans, α1/ß1/ß2­syntrophins and α/ß­dystrobrevins in highly purified sarcolemma vesicles. By contrast, lower levels were detected in transverse tubules and no components of the dystrophin complex were identified in triads. For comparative purposes, the presence of organellar marker proteins was studied in crude surface membrane preparations vs. enriched fractions from the sarcolemma, transverse tubules and triad junctions using gradient gel electrophoresis and on­membrane digestion. This involved the subproteomic assessment of various ion­regulatory proteins and excitation­contraction coupling components. The comparative profiling of skeletal muscle fractions established a relatively restricted subcellular localization of the dystrophin­glycoprotein complex in the muscle fibre periphery by proteomic means and clearly demonstrated the absence of dystrophin from triad junctions by sensitive mass spectrometric analysis.

Effects of Fullerene Derivatives on Activity of Ca2+-ATPase of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum and cGMP Phosphodiesterase.

We studied the effects of new water-soluble polysubstituted fullerene C60 (PFD) derivatives on activity of Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and cGMP phosphodiesterase. All examined fullerene derivatives inhibited activity of both enzymes. For instance, PFD-I, PFD-II, PFD-III, PFD-V, PFD-IX, PFD-X, and PFD-XI in a concentration of 5×10-5 M completely inhibited hydrolytic and transport functions of Ca2+-ATPase. These compounds in a concentration of 5×10-6 suppressed active transport of calcium ions by 51±5, 77±8, 52±5, 52±5, 100±10, 80±8, and 100±10%, respectively, and inhibited ATP hydrolysis by 31±3, 78±8, 18±2, 29±3, 78±8, 63±7, and 73±9%, respectively, uncoupling the hydrolytic and transport functions of the enzyme. PFD-I noncompetitive and reversibly reduced activity of Ca2+-ATPase (Ki=2.3×10-6 M). All the studied fullerene derivatives (except for PFD-VII) inhibited cGMP phosphodiesterase by more than 80% in concentration of 10-4 M and higher and by more than 50% in concentration of 10-5 M. PFD-I is a non-competitive reversible inhibitor of cGMP phosphodiesterase (Ki=7×10-6 M). These results allow us to expect antimetastatic, antiaggregatory, antihypertensive and vasodilative activity of the studied compounds.

Cloning, Expression, and the Effects of Processing on Sarcoplasmic-Calcium-Binding Protein: An Important Allergen in Mud Crab.

Shellfish allergy is a prevalent, long-lasting disorder usually persisting throughout life. However, the allergen information is incomprehensive in crab. This study aimed to identify a novel allergen in crab, show its potential in diagnosis and reduce the allergenicity by food processing. A 21-kDa protein was purified from Scylla paramamosain and confirmed as sarcoplasmic calcium binding protein (SCP) by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS). Total RNA was isolated from crab muscle, and a rapid amplification of cDNA was performed to obtain an ORF of 579 bp that coded for 193 amino acid residues. According to the results of circular dichroism analysis and ELISA assay, the recombinant SCP (rSCP) expressed in Escherichia coli showed similar physicochemical and immunoreactive properties to native SCP (nSCP). Additionally, the extensive cross reactivity of SCP among different species and the bidirectional IgE cross-reactivity between nSCP and rSCP were detected by iELISA. The allergenicity of rSCP was reduced via Maillard reaction or enzymatic cross-linking reaction, which was confirmed by the results of scanning electron microscopy, dot blot, and digestion assay. A straightforward and reproducible way was developed to obtain high yields of rSCP that maintains structural integrity and full IgE reactivity, which could compensate the low specific IgE-titers of most patient sera for future diagnosis. Furthermore, the Maillard reaction and enzymatic cross-linking reaction were effective approaches for the production of hypoallergenic seafood.

Effects of Nitrosyl Iron Complexes with Thiocarbamide and Its Aliphatic Derivatives on Activities of Ca2+-ATPase of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum and cGMP Phosphodiesterase.

We studied the effects of water-soluble cationic dinitrosyl iron complexes with thiocarbamide and its aliphatic derivatives, new synthetic analogs of natural NO donors, active centers of nitrosyl [1Fe-2S]proteins, on activities of Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum and cGMP phosphodiesterase. Nitrosyl iron complexes [Fe(C3N2H8S)Cl(NO)2]0[Fe(NO)2(C3N2H8S)2]+Cl- (I), [Fe(SC(N(CH3)2)2(NO)2]Cl (II), [Fe(SC(NH2)2)2(NO)2Cl×H2O (III), and [Fe(SC(NH2)2)2(NO)2]2SO4×H2O (IV) in a concentration of 10-4 M completely inhibited the transporting and hydrolytic functions of Ca2+-ATPase. In a concentration of 10-5 M, they inhibited active Ca2+ transport by 57±6, 75±8, 80±8, and 85±9% and ATP hydrolysis by 0, 40±4, 48±5, and 38±4%, respectively. Complex II reversibly and noncompetitively inhibited the hydrolytic function of Ca2+-ATPase (Ki=1.7×10-6 M). All the studied iron-sulphur complexes in a concentration of 10-4 M inhibited cGMP phosphodiesterase function. These data suggest that the studied complexes can exhibit antimetastatic, antiaggregation, vasodilatatory, and antihypertensive activities.

Lanthanides Report Calcium Sensor in the Vestibule of Ryanodine Receptor.

Ca2+ regulates ryanodine receptor's (RyR) activity through an activating and an inhibiting Ca2+-binding site located on the cytoplasmic side of the RyR channel. Their altered sensitivity plays an important role in the pathology of malignant hyperthermia and heart failure. We used lanthanide ions (Ln3+) as probes to investigate the Ca2+ sensors of RyR, because they specifically bind to Ca2+-binding proteins and they are impermeable to the channel. Eu3+'s and Sm3+'s action was tested on single RyR1 channels reconstituted into planar lipid bilayers. When the activating binding site was saturated by 50 µM Ca2+, Ln3+ potently inhibited RyR's open probability (Kd Eu3+ = 167 ± 5 nM and Kd Sm3+ = 63 ± 3 nM), but in nominally 0 [Ca2+], low [Eu3+] activated the channel. These results suggest that Ln3+ acts as an agonist of both Ca2+-binding sites. More importantly, the voltage-dependent characteristics of Ln3+'s action led to the conclusion that the activating Ca2+ binding site is located within the electrical field of the channel (in the vestibule). This idea was tested by applying the pore blocker toxin maurocalcine on the cytoplasmic side of RyR. These experiments showed that RyR lost reactivity to changing cytosolic [Ca2+] from 50 µM to 100 nM when the toxin occupied the vestibule. These results suggest that maurocalcine mechanically prevented Ca2+ from dissociating from its binding site and support our vestibular Ca2+ sensor-model further.

Proteomic investigation of protein profile changes and amino acid residue-level modification in cooked lamb longissimus thoracis et lumborum: The effect of roasting.

Protein modifications of meat cooked by typical dry-heat methods (e.g., roasting) are currently not well understood. The present study utilised a shotgun proteomic approach to examine the molecular-level effect of roasting on thin lamb longissimus thoracis et lumborum patties, in terms of changes to both the protein profile and amino acid residue side-chain modifications. Cooking caused aggregation of actin, myosin heavy chains and sarcoplasmic proteins. Longer roasting time resulted in significantly reduced protein extractability as well as protein truncation involving particularly a number of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins, e.g., 6-phosphofructokinase, beta-enolase, l-lactate dehydrogenase A chain, alpha-actinin-3, actin and possibly myosin heavy chains. Modifications that have potential influence on nutritional properties, including carboxyethyllysine and a potentially glucose-derived N-terminal Amadori compound, were observed in actin and myoglobin after roasting. This study provided new insights into molecular changes resulting from the dry-heat treatment of meat, such as commonly used in food preparation.

On the water-holding of myofibrils: Effect of sarcoplasmic protein denaturation.

The role of heat-denatured sarcoplasmic proteins in water-holding is not well understood. Here we propose a new hypothesis that in PSE-like conditions denatured sarcoplasmic proteins aggregate within and outside myofilaments, improving the water-holding of denatured myofibrils. The process is compartmentalized: 1) within the filaments the denatured sarcoplasmic proteins shrink the lattice space and water is expelled; and 2) between the myofibrils and in the extracellular space, the coagulated sarcoplasmic proteins trap the expelled water from interfilamental space. The effect of sarcoplasmic proteins on the water-holding of myofibrils following incubation for 1h at 21 to 44°C was investigated. Our results were consistent with the new hypothesis. Myofibrils without sarcoplasm had the poorest water-holding. With increasing amount of denatured sarcoplasmic proteins, the water-holding of heat-denatured myofibrils improved proportionally. X-ray diffraction was used to measure the lattice space between the filaments. Precipitated sarcoplasmic proteins shrank (P<0.001) the lattice spacing by 6.3% at 44°C.

The use of label-free mass spectrometry for relative quantification of sarcoplasmic proteins during the processing of dry-cured ham.

The aim of this work was to quantify changes in the abundance of the major sarcoplasmic proteins throughout the ham dry-curing process by using a label-free mass spectrometry methodology based on the measurement of mass spectral peak intensities obtained from the extracted ion chromatogram. For this purpose, extraction of sarcoplasmic proteins was followed by trypsin digestion and analysis by nanoliquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (Q/TOF) for the identification and relative quantification of sarcoplasmic proteins through individual quantification of trypsinised peptides. In total, 20 proteins, including 12 glycolytic enzymes, were identified and quantified. The accuracy of the protocol was based on MS/MS replicates, and beta-lactoglobulin protein was used to normalise data and correct possible variations during sample preparation or LC-MS/MS analysis. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics provides precise identification and quantification of proteins in comparison with traditional methodologies based on gel electrophoresis, especially in the case of overlapping proteins. Moreover, the label-free approach used in this study proved to be a simple, fast, reliable method for evaluating proteolytic degradation of sarcoplasmic proteins during the processing of dry-cured ham.