Immunofluorescence localization of a small heat shock protein (hsp 23) in salivary gland cells of Drosophila melanogaster

Summary An aggregate present in cell-free extracts of Drosophila melanogaster tissue culture cells, sedimenting at 20 to 30S, contains hsps 23, 26 and 27. Hsp 23 was purified from this aggregate and a monospecific antibody was raised against it. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed the presence of hsp 23 preferentially in nuclei after heat shock, while on return to 25° C, hsp 23 was reduced in nuclei and increased in the cytoplasm. Thus the immunofluorescence observations reported here unambignously confirm for hsp 23 earlier reports that heat shock proteins are mainly found in nuclei after heat shock and that upon return to 25° C, they move to the cytoplasm.Abbreviations NP-40 Nonidet P40 - PMSF Phenylmethylsulfonyl-fluoride - SDS Sodium dodecyl sulfate - EDTA Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid - TCA Trichloroacetic acid. hsp 22, hsp 23 etc.: heat shock proteins of 22,000, 23,000 daltons etc. molecular weight