The DNAJA1 gene encodes a member of the 40 kDa
heat shock protein family (Hsp40), which is a co-chaperone
of the 70 kDa heat shock protein family (Hsp70) which
affects protein folding and mitochondrial protein import.
The DNAJA1/Hsp70 complex inhibits ordered cellular
death, or apoptosis (Bernard et al., 2007). After animal
bleeding, cells enter anoxia and receive no more nutrients,
thus initiating apoptosis. It has been hypothesized that
apoptosis is the first stage of meat aging (Ouali et al., 2013),
and a delay or inhibition of apoptosis by the DNAJA1/Hsp 70 complex could reduce meat tenderization