Contribution of nitric oxide and protein S-nitrosylation to variation in fresh meat quality

Abstract

As a primary source of reactive nitrogen species, nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule playing multiple roles in physiological processes. NO exerts these pleiotropic effects mainly through the covalent attachment to the sulfhydryl group of protein cysteines to form S-nitrosothiol (protein S-nitrosylation). It has been two decades since NO was first investigated for its role in meat tenderization. Progress has been made, including studies by manipulating the NO levels in muscle cells, suggesting possible effects in the pre-slaughter and post-slaughter environment. NO has potential effects on the meat quality of beef, lamb, chicken and pork muscles. However, it has been difficult to determine the exact mechanism(s) of NO action as it has variable effects on meat quality including tenderness, water holding capacity and color. It is speculated that NO and protein S-nitrosylation may be involved in muscle to meat conversion through the regulation of postmortem biochemical pathways including glycolysis, Ca²⁺ release, proteolysis and apoptosis.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Ca(2+) release; Glycolysis; Meat quality; Nitric oxide synthase; μ-calpain.