ARS | Publication request: IDENTIFICATION OF A NOVEL GILL SPECIFIC CALPAIN FROM THE RAINBOW TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS)

Submitted to: Fish Physiology and Biochemistry Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 28, 2005
Publication Date: September 6, 2006
Citation: Salem, S., Rexroad Iii, C.E., Yao, J. 2006. Identification of a novel gill specific calpain from the rainbow trout (oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish Physiology and Biochemistry Journal. 32:1-6.

Interpretive Summary: The genetic improvement of species for production efficiency is facilitated by identification of genes controlling traits of interest. Calpains are intracellular proteins involved in many important cellular functions and have been identified as candidate genes potentially affecting carcass quality traits. We report the identification of a rainbow trout cDNA sequence which codes for a novel calpain catalytic subunit, predominantly expressed in gills. Identification of this novel calpain subunit will help in understanding the calpain system in non-mammals, and may assist in improving product quality of this species as calpains play an important role in ante-mortem muscle growth and post-mortem meat quality characteristics. This information will aid scientists in our understating of protein catabolism in fishes at the molecular level.

Technical Abstract: Calpains are calcium-dependent neutral proteases responsible for many cellular functions. Many mammalian calpains are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. We report here the identification of a rainbow trout cDNA coding for a novel calpain catalytic subunit, predominantly expressed in gills. The predicted protein of 676 amino acids contains the characteristic domains of calpains. Comparison of the fish gill specific calpain subunits with the ubiquitously expressed calpain subunits as well as other tissue specific subunits revealed that the fish gill specific calpain is an orthologue of the mammalian digestive tract specific calpain.