Comparative study on gelatinase expression in pigeon serum and breast muscles

Balamurugan, T.C., Prakash Krupakaran, R., Anandhi, G., Senthamil Pandian, C., Perumal, P. and Elango, A. 2024. Comparative study on gelatinase expression in pigeon serum and breast muscles. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 59(2): 205–210.

The present study was conducted to detect the gelatinase activity by assessing matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in serum and tissues with use of gelatin zymography in pigeon (Columba livia). Experimental birds were divided into two groups, first group (n-12) was subjected to blood collection. Another group (n-12) of twelve birds was subjected for tissue collection. Tissue samples were collected properly, homogenated, filtered and analysed using gelatin zymography. All the tissue samples exhibited proteolytic activity, as they completely degraded the gelatin. Gelatin zymogram clearly showed the presence of both the active 67 kDa form and the latent 72 kDa form of MMP-2 in the tissue samples. MMP-9 expression was detected only in the breast muscle, with bands corresponding to the 82 kDa active form and the 220 kDa latent form. MMP-2 intensity was 3–5 times higher in the tissue samples compared to serum samples. It was concluded that both the active 67 kDa MMP-2 and latent 72 kDa forms of MMP-2 were present in pigeon serum and tissue samples, with higher expression levels in tissue, possibly due to the activity of intracellular MMP-2 in skeletal muscle fibers during normal homeostasis and physical activity. Although the MMP-9 gene was present in the blood, it was not expressed, while a weak active form of MMP-9 was observed in the breast muscle. The increase in uric acid levels was associated with MMP-2 expression. Additionally, serum biochemistry and hematology analysis provided baseline data for future pigeon studies.