Technical note: Protocol for electrophoretic separation of bovine myosin heavy chain isoforms and comparison to immunohistochemistry analysis.

Myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform composition is a primary determinant of contractile speed of muscle fibers. Currently, bovine MyHC isoforms are evaluated using time-consuming histochemical analysis by immunflourescence or ATPase activity. Electrophoretic separation of MyHC isoforms is more rapid; however, a reliable procedure without use of gradients has not been validated for cattle.