Naturally generated small peptides derived from myofibrillar proteins in Serrano dry-cured ham

J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Apr 22;57(8):3228-34. doi: 10.1021/jf803480v.

Abstract

A proteomic approach has been carried out to investigate the extensive proteolysis occurring in the processing of Serrano ham. In this study, a total of 14 peptide fragments derived from myosin light chain I and titin have been identified for the first time. Nine of these peptides originated from myosin light chain I protein, with the loss of dipeptides at the N-terminal position observed in some of them. This suggests that dipeptidyl peptidases are involved in the generation of dipeptides, which contribute to the generation of the characteristic taste associated with Serrano ham. The other five peptides came from the PEVK region of the titin protein. This region is believed to confer elasticity to the sarcomere as well as the ability to bind calpains. The hypothetical action of mu-calpain and calpain 3 enzymes over this region would make these enzymes potentially responsible for protein breakdown during the early dry-curing stage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Calpain / metabolism
  • Connectin
  • Food Handling / methods*
  • Meat / analysis*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muscle Proteins / chemistry
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Myofibrils / chemistry*
  • Myosin Light Chains / chemistry
  • Myosin Light Chains / metabolism
  • Peptide Fragments / analysis*
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Protein Kinases / chemistry
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Spain
  • Swine

Substances

  • Connectin
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Myosin Light Chains
  • Peptide Fragments
  • myosin light chain I
  • Protein Kinases
  • Calpain