Protein degradation in the skeletal muscles of parrs and smolts of the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.

Abstract

This paper reports a study of the activity of calcium-dependent proteases (calpains) and proteasome in the skeletal muscles of parrs and smolts of the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. from the Indera River (the Kola Peninsula). It was demonstrated that the growth rate and protein mass accumulation during smoltification in salmonid fishes are inversely related to the activity of proteases in their muscles. It was noted that decreased protein degradation in the skeletal muscles of salmon juveniles serves as a mechanism ensuring the intensive growth and physiological maturity necessary for migration from the river to the sea.