Investigation of Myosin Heavy Chain-Degrading Proteinase in Decapoda Muscle

Abstract

The profiles of the proteolytic activity in autolysis of the Decapoda mantle muscle were studied by SDS-PAGE.
The experimental materials used for this study were five kinds of squid and two kinds of cuttlefish.
Degradations of myosin heavy chain of squid except for bigfin reef squid were observed in autolysis of extract from the mantle muscle at pH 7.0 and 4°C for 5h. This myosin-degrading activity was strongly inhibited by metallo proteinase inhibitors such as EDTA and 1, 10-phe-nanthroline.
On the other hand, no myosin heavy chain degrading activity was observed in cuttlefish mantle muscle.