Degradation of alpha-actinin during Ca2+-sensitive proteolysis of myofibrils.

The noted loss of alpha-actinin from the Z-line of myofibrils during post-mortem autolysis, probably following the action of calcium-activated protease, has previously been attributed to its release without degradation. This report shows that in isolated myofibrils alpha-actinin is proteolysed in a Ca2+-sensitive manner presumably via the action of calcium-activated protease.