Early differential gene expression in beef Longissimus thoracis muscles from carcasses with normal (<5.8) and high (>5.9) ultimate pH

Meat Sci. 2019 Jul:153:117-125. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2019.03.013. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate early postmortem (0.5 h) gene expression in beef Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscles from carcasses with NORMAL (<5.8) and HIGH (>5.9) ultimate pH (pHu). A total of 53 transcripts were differentially expressed (P-value <.05): 40 showed up-regulation and 13 showed down-regulation in HIGH pHu carcasses. Four up-regulated (PDK4, GADD45B, MAOA, METTL21C) genes were confirmed (P < .05) by q-PCR. HIGH pHu samples resulted with lower values in glycolytic potential and AMP-activated protein kinase activity compared to NORMAL at 0.5 and 24 h postmortem (P < .05). Functional pathway analysis showed that calcium transport and GADD45 signaling pathways are associated with the development of HIGH pH meat. Genes involved in stress-related signaling, such as GADD45B, METTL21C and MAOA were overexpressed. These genes are involved in stress signaling that might be affecting Ca2+ transport and oxidative metabolism pathways in HIGH pH muscles.

Keywords: Beef; Dark cutting; Glycolytic potential; High pH; Microarray.

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cattle / genetics
  • Cattle / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Glycolysis*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Red Meat / analysis*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Calcium