title: Phospholipase A(2) activity, calmodulin, Ca(2+) and meat quality in young and adult halothane-sensitive and halothane-insensitive British Landrace pigs.
abstract: PSE (pale, soft and exudative) meat is the result of a developmental disorder and is not produced in meat from young (3-11 weeks) halothane-sensitive British Landrace pigs. Formation of the PSE condition is closely associated with the muscle mitochondrial phospholipase A(2) activity, which increases significantly from 12 weeks of age. The increase in phospholipase A(2) activity shows good correlation (r = 0·87) with the increase in post-mortem sarcoplasmic Ca(2+). In halothane-insensitive British Landrace both the phospholipase A(2) activity and sarcoplasmic Ca(2+) level remain constant throughout growth. Significant increases in the levels of endogenous mitochondrial calmodulin, fatty acids and phospholipase A(2) activity, and Ca(2+) (mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic) are observed in the M. longissimus dorsi of adult halothane-sensitive pigs when compared with either young halothane-sensitive or young and adult halothane-insensitive pigs. The enhanced mitochondrial phospholipase A(2) activity is calmodulin-dependent and the increase in activity is postulated to be due to increased endogenous calmodulin.
authors: Agricultural and Food Research Council, Food Research Institute-Bristol, Langford, Bristol, BS18 7DY, Great Britain.
authors: K S
authors: KS
authors: Cheah
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Cheah
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: Waring