Muscle proteomics of the Indian major carp Catla (Catla catla, Hamilton)

Abstract

Background: Skeletal muscle proteomics aims at global identification, cataloging and biochemical characterization of the entire protein complement of voluntary contractile tissues. In the lower vertebrates like fish, skeletal muscle contributes 34-48% of the total body weight and the muscle composition contributes strongly to the quality. Characterization of the muscle proteome is a key to many aspects of aquaculture, encompassing physiology, growth, food safety, seafood authentication and quality, traceability and shelf-life. Catla catla is a commercially important carp species contributing a major share to be freshwater aquaculture production in the Indian subcontinent; however, little omics information is available on this species.

Methods: In the present study, protein spots excised from 2-D gels of catla muscle proteome were identified through MALDI-TOF-MS. Based on the muscle proteomic information, transcript information on the identified proteins was generated.

Results: A reference muscle proteome map for Catla catla was generated and 70 protein spots from 2-D gels, representing 22 proteins, have been identified by MALDI-TOF MS. We have also generated the partial gene sequence information on the identified proteins which have been submitted at GenBank.

Conclusion: This is the first study on the muscle proteogenomics of the commercially important carp Catla catla. Besides adding to the existing knowledgebase on comparative muscle proteomics, the information generated would also serve as the baseline proteogenomic information on this Indian major carp