Effects of mitoquinone on various patterns of postmortem apoptosis and beef tenderization

Abstract

Apoptosis encompasses various patterns such as death receptor pathway. However, the specific mechanisms by which these apoptotic patterns contribute to beef tenderization have not been clarified. In this study, changes in various apoptotic patterns of beef were determined and mitoquinone was selected for validation of postmortem apoptosis. Consequently, CYCS, BAX and APAF1 genes and proteins in mitochondrial apoptosis declined with postmortem time. AIFM1 genes and proteins in mitochondrial-DNA cross-linking also exhibit weaker expression. Similarly, FAS proteins in death receptor pathway, and CASP12 proteins in endoplasmic reticulum pathway showed a decreasing trend with postmortem time. These results indicate that numerous apoptotic patterns have a higher potential during early postmortem. Furthermore, mitoquinone decreased the expression of AIFM1, CYCS, BAX, BAK1, APAF1, CASP9, FAS, and CASP12 proteins, suggesting the inhibition of various apoptotic patterns. Mitoquinone also improved mitochondrial structure and restrained caspase-3 activity. Ultimately, mitoquinone reduced MFI and affected the integrity of sarcomere and Z-line. Thus, the increase in the levels of mitochondrial apoptosis, mitochondrial-DNA cross-linking, death receptor and endoplasmic reticulum pathway may promote the destruction of myofibrillar structure, suggesting a positive correlation between these apoptotic patterns and beef tenderization.