Total RNA isolated from Pectoralis major muscle from PSE (L*24h>53.0, pH<5.8) and non-PSE (44<"L*24h>"53) meats of two phenotypically distinct chicken lines, broiler and layer, was used to investigate the α-ryr and β-ryr gene expression by real-time RT-PCR approach. Mean relative quantification (RQ) values were lower (p<0.05) for β-ryr in PSE chickens from both lines when compared to non-PSE chickens, while there was no difference (p>0.05) in α-ryr gene expression regardless of line studied. The β-ryr RQ results suggested that in PSE samples an alteration might occur in the regular ratio (1:1) of α-RyR/β-RyR normally found in avian muscles. These results provided the first evidence of PSE meat occurrence as a result of the differential expression of ryanodine receptor genes which might lead to an increased in Ca2+ availability at the cell milieu.
malignant hyperthermia; poultry; gene expression; real time PCR
