Expression of heat shock protein 70 in transport-stressed broiler pectoralis major muscle and its relationship with meat quality

Abstract

Omics research has indicated that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a potential biomarker of meat quality. However, the specific changes and the potential role of HSP70 in postmortem meat quality development need to be further defined. In this study, Arbor Acres broiler chickens (n = 126) were randomly categorized into three treatment groups of unstressed control (C), 0.5-h transport (T) and subsequent water shower spray following transport (T/W). Each treatment consisted of six replicates with seven birds each. The birds were transported according to a designed protocol. The pectoralis major (PM) muscles of the transport-stressed broilers were categorized as normal and pale, soft and exudative (PSE)-like muscle samples according to L* and pH 24 h values to test the expression and location of HSP70. Results revealed that the activities of plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase increased significantly ( P < 0.05) in normal and PSE-like muscle samples after transportation. The mRNA expression of HSP70 in normal muscle samples increased significantly ( P < 0.05) compared with that in the controls after stress. The protein expression of HSP70 increased significantly in normal muscle samples and decreased significantly ( P < 0.05) in PSE-like muscles. Immuno-fluorescence showed that HSP70 was present in the cytoplasm and on surface membranes of PM muscle cells in the normal samples following stress. Meanwhile, HSP70 was present on the surface membranes and extracellular matrix but was barely visible in the cytoplasm of the PSE-like samples. Principal component analysis showed high correlations between HSP70 and meat quality and stress indicators. In conclusion, this research suggests that the variation in HSP70 expression may provide a novel insight into the pathways underlying meat quality development.

Stress Associated with Simulated Transport, Changes Serum Biochemistry, Postmortem Muscle Metabolism, and Meat Quality of Broilers

“…HSP70 mRNA concentrations in pig muscle increased following transport for 2 h, but appeared to recover after 4 h, but was increased by extending the time to 6 h [ 42 ]. Moreover, other reports in broilers show that transport up-regulated mRNA expression of HSP70 in both pectoralis major [ 43 ] and tibialis anterior muscles [ 44 ]. However, in our study, transportation did not influence the transcription level of HSP70 mRNA in the liver of broilers.…”

Effect of Glutamine on Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Peroxidation in the Breast Muscle of Heat-stressed Broilers via Antioxidant Genes and HSP70 Pathway

“…HSP70 is distributed in various cell types, and its expression increases significantly under stress conditions [14,39]. It can enhance the tolerance of cells to stimulants, protect tissues, and reduce lipid peroxidation and DNA breakage induced by reactive oxygen species, thereby making the body adapt to heat and improve body tolerance [40].…”

Search for proteomic biomarkers related to bovine pre-slaughter stress using liquid isoelectric focusing (OFFGEL) and mass spectrometry

“…Moreover, Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) normally involved in defence mechanisms, have been also studied in relation to stress. It should be emphasized that HSPs play a major role as essential molecular chaperones under environmental and physiological stress conditions [12,13].…”