Geographic selection in the small heat shock gene complex differentiating populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura

Environmental temperature plays a crucial role in determining a species distribution and abundance by affecting individual physiological processes, metabolic activities, and developmental rates. Many studies have identified clinal variation in phenotypes associated with response to environmental stresses, but variation in traits associated with climatic adaptation directly attributed to sequence variation within candidate gene regions has been difficult to identify. Insect heat shock genes are possible agents of thermal tolerance because of their involvement in protein folding, traffic, protection, and renaturation at the cellular level in response to temperature stress. Previously, members of the Drosophila small heat shock protein (sHSP) complex (Hsp23, Hsp26, Hsp27, Hsp67Ba) have been implicated as candidate climatic adaptation genes; therefore, this research examines sequence variation at these genes in 2 distant populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura. Flies from Tempe, AZ (n = 30) and Cheney, WA (n = 17) were used in the study. We identify high differentiation in the heat-shock complex (F(ST) : 0.219**, 0.262*, 0.279***, 0.166 not significant) as compared with neighboring genes and Tajima's D values indicative of balancing selection (Mann-Whitney U = 38, n(1) = 10 n(2) = 4, P < 0.05 two-tailed), both of which are suggestive of such climatic adaptation.     

Stage-specific localization of the small heat shock protein Hsp27 during oogenesis inDrosophila melanogaster

The developmental and heat shock-induced expression of the small heat shock protein Hsp27 was investigated by confocal microscopy of whole-mount immunostained preparations of ovarioles during oogenesis inDrosophila melanogaster. In unstressed flies, Hsp27 was mainly associated with germline nurse cells throughout egg development. A small group of somatic follicle cells also expressed Hsp27 specifically at stages 8 to 10 of oogenesis. Interestingly, this Hsp showed a different intracellular localization depending on the stages of egg chamber development. Thus Hsp27 was localized in the nucleus of nurse cells during the first stages of oogenesis (from germarium to stage 6) whereas it showed a perinuclear and cytoplasmic localization from stage 8. After a heat shock, Hsp27 accumulated in somatic follicle cells surrounding the egg chamber whereas the expression of this small Hsp did not seem to be enhanced in nurse cells. The stage-dependent pattern of intracellular localization of Hsp27 observed in nurse cells of unstressed flies was also observed following heat shock. At late stages of oogenesis, Hsp27 also showed a perinuclear distribution in follicle and nurse cells after heat stress. These observations suggest that different factors may modulate the expression and intracellular distribution of Hsp27. This modulation may be associated with the specific activities occurring in each particular cell type throughout oogenesis during both normal development and under heat shock conditions. Edited by: E.R. Schmidt     

Loss of Hsp70 in Drosophila is pleiotropic, with effects on thermotolerance, recovery from heat shock and neurodegeneration

The heat-shock response is a programmed change in gene expression carried out by cells in response to environmental stress, such as heat. This response is universal and is characterized by the synthesis of a small group of conserved protein chaperones. In Drosophila melanogaster the Hsp70 chaperone dominates the profile of protein synthesis during the heat-shock response. We recently generated precise deletion alleles of the Hsp70 genes of D. melanogaster and have used those alleles to characterize the phenotypes of Hsp70-deficient flies. Flies with Hsp70 deletions have reduced thermotolerance. We find that Hsp70 is essential to survive a severe heat shock, but is not required to survive a milder heat shock, indicating that a significant degree of thermotolerance remains in the absence of Hsp70. However, flies without Hsp70 have a lengthened heat-shock response and an extended developmental delay after a non-lethal heat shock, indicating Hsp70 has an important role in recovery from stress, even at lower temperatures. Lack of Hsp70 also confers enhanced sensitivity to a temperature-sensitive lethal mutation and to the neurodegenerative effects produced by expression of a human polyglutamine disease protein.     

The small heat shock protein Hsp22 of Drosophila melanogaster is a mitochondrial protein displaying oligomeric organization

Drosophila melanogaster has four main small heat shock proteins (Hsps), D. melanogaster Hsp22 (DmHsp22), Hsp23 (DmHsp23), Hsp26 (DmHsp26), and Hsp27 (DmHsp27). These proteins, although they have high sequence homology, show distinct developmental expression patterns. The function(s) of each small heat shock protein is unknown. DmHsp22 is shown to localize in mitochondria both in D. melanogaster S2 cells and after heterologous expression in mammalian cells. Fractionation of mitochondria indicates that DmHsp22 resides in the mitochondrial matrix, where it is found in oligomeric complexes, as shown by sedimentation and gel filtration analysis and by cross-linking experiments. Deletion analysis using a DmHsp22-EGFP construct reveals that residues 1-17 and an unknown number of residues between 17-28 are necessary for import. Site-directed mutagenesis within a putative mitochondrial motif (WRMAEE) at positions 8-13 shows that the first four residues are necessary for mitochondrial localization. Immunoprecipitation results indicate that there is no interaction between DmHsp22 and the other small heat shock proteins. The mitochondrial localization of this small Hsp22 of Drosophila and its high level of expression in aging suggests a role for this small heat shock protein in protection against oxidative stress.     

Response of heat shock protein genes of the oriental fruit moth under diapause and thermal stress reveals multiple patterns dependent on the nature of stress exposure

Heat shock protein gene (Hsp) families are thought to be important in thermal adaptation, but their expression patterns under various thermal stresses have still been poorly characterized outside of model systems. We have therefore characterized Hsp genes and their stress responses in the oriental fruit moth (OFM), Grapholita molesta, a widespread global orchard pest, and compared patterns of expression in this species to that of other insects. Genes from four Hsp families showed variable expression levels among tissues and developmental stages. Members of the Hsp40, 70, and 90 families were highly expressed under short exposures to heat and cold. Expression of Hsp40, 70, and Hsc70 family members increased in OFM undergoing diapause, while Hsp90 was downregulated. We found that there was strong sequence conservation of members of large Hsp families (Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsc70) across taxa, but this was not always matched by conservation of expression patterns. When the large Hsps as well as small Hsps from OFM were compared under acute and ramping heat stress, two groups of sHsps expression patterns were apparent, depending on whether expression increased or decreased immediately after stress exposure. These results highlight potential differences in conservation of function as opposed to sequence in this gene family and also point to Hsp genes potentially useful as bioindicators of diapause and thermal stress in OFM.     

In vitro heat shock of human monocytes results in a proportional increase of inducible Hsp70 expression according to the basal content

Heat shock proteins play an important role as molecular chaperones of the cell. Inducible heat shock protein 70 is rapidly synthesised in response to numerous stressors and monocytes are sensitive to changes in core temperature resulting in a circadian variation of Hsp70 expression. Monocytes were isolated via density centrifugation from nine healthy male volunteers at 5 am, 1 pm and 9 pm, representing the nadir (5 am), peak (9 pm) and intermediate (1 pm) of Hsp70 expression in the 24-h cycle. Analysis of freshly isolated monocytes for Hsp70 expression confirmed Hsp70 levels at the three selected time points. Monocytes were subjected to in vitro heat shock at 40°C (±0.1) for 90 min with a 90 min 37°C (±0.1) exposure acting as a control. A significant increase in Hsp70 was observed at 5 am (p < 0.001) and 1 pm (p = 0.028) at 40°C when compared to 37°C but not at 9 pm (p = 0.19). A significant increase was also observed from the basal levels of Hsp70, measured on freshly isolated monocytes and the levels detected after heat shock at 40°C at 5 am (p < 0.001) and 1 pm (p = 0.001), which was not observed at 9 pm (p = 0.15). Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed in the heat shock response at 40°C and that obtained at 37°C (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the heat shock response in monocytes is directly proportional to the amount of Hsp70 present in the cells and the stress response may be much higher at different times of the day.     

Hsp15: a ribosome-associated heat shock protein

We are analyzing highly conserved heat shock genes of unknown or unclear function with the aim of determining their cellular role. Hsp15 has previously been shown to be an abundant nucleic acid-binding protein whose synthesis is induced massively at the RNA level upon temperature upshift. We have now identified that the in vivo target of Hsp15 action is the free 50S ribosomal subunit. Hsp15 binds with very high affinity (K(D) <5 nM) to this subunit, but only when 50S is free, not when it is part of the 70S ribosome. In addition, the binding of Hsp15 appears to correlate with a specific state of the mature, free 50S subunit, which contains bound nascent chain. This provides the first evidence for a so far unrecognized abortive event in translation. Hsp15 is suggested to be involved in the recycling of free 50S subunits that still carry a nascent chain. This gives Hsp15 a very different functional role from all other heat shock proteins and points to a new aspect of translation.     

Natural hyperthermia and expression of the heat shock protein Hsp70 affect developmental abnormalities in Drosophila melanogaster

We demonstrate that natural heat stress on wild larval Drosophila melanogaster results in severe developmental defects in >10% of eclosing adults, and that increased copy number of the gene encoding the major inducible heat shock protein of D. melanogaster, Hsp70, is sufficient to reduce the incidence of such abnormalities. Specifically, non-adult D. melanogaster inhabiting necrotic fruit experienced severe, often lethal heat stress in natural settings. Adult flies eclosing from wild larvae that had survived natural heat stress exhibited severe developmental anomalies of wing and abdominal morphology, which should dramatically affect fitness. The frequency of developmental abnormalities varied along two independent natural thermal gradients, exceeding 10% in adults eclosing from larvae developing in warm, sunlit fruit. When exposed to natural heat stress, D. melanogaster larvae with the wild-type number of hsp70 genes (n=10) developed abnormal wings significantly more frequently than a transgenic sister strain with 22 copies of the hsp70 gene. Received: 19 April 1999 / Accepted: 16 July 1999     

温度胁迫下棉花粉蚧热激蛋白基因的表达分析

【目的】为了研究热激蛋白 Hsp70, Hsp70-4和Hsp90在棉花粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis抵抗逆温中的作用。【方法】在测序棉花粉蚧转录组的基础上,分析了该虫热激蛋白Hsp70基因家族的2个序列［Pshsp70（GenBank登录号为KJ909505）和Pshsp70-4（GenBank登录号为KJ909506）］和Hsp90基因家族的1个序列,［Pshsp90(GenBank登录号为KJ909507)］,采用实时荧光定量 PCR（RT-qPCR）检测了在不同温度（18和32℃恒温, 37, 39, 41, 43和45℃热激1 h 后26℃恢复1 h)下棉花粉蚧不同发育阶段（2龄若虫、3龄若虫、雌成虫）3种热激蛋白基因的表达量。【结果】Pshsp70 cDNA序列包含1 923 bp的开放阅读框,编码641个氨基酸,理论分子量和等电点分别为70.9 kDa和5.65; Pshsp70-4 cDNA序列包含1 962 bp的开放阅读框,编码654个氨基酸,理论分子量和等电点分别为71.8 kDa和5.38;Pshsp90 cDNA序列包含2 172 bp的开放阅读框,编码724个氨基酸,理论分子量和等电点分别为83.5 kDa和4.93。Pshsp70 和Pshsp70-4均含有Hsp70基因家族高度保守的基序,Pshsp70编码的氨基酸序列与烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci和家蚕Bombyx mori等昆虫的Hsp70 的氨基酸序列一致性为 85%;Pshsp70-4编码的氨基酸序列与白蜡蚧Ericerus pela和点蜂缘蝽Riptortus pedestris等昆虫的Hsp70的氨基酸序列一致性高达95%;Pshsp90也含有Hsp90基因家族高度保守的基序,Pshsp90编码的氨基酸序列与赤拟谷盗Tribolium castaneum和东亚小花蝽Orius sauteri等昆虫的Hsp90 的氨基酸序列一致性为 87%。热激蛋白基因表达量分析结果表明,在18℃恒温条件下,粉蚧2龄若虫的3个PsHsps基因的mRNA相对表达量均比对照(26℃)低,在32℃恒温条件下,各龄期的Hsp70基因的相对表达量均显著高于对照。在37~45℃下热激1 h并在26℃下恢复1 h,棉花粉蚧3个龄期的3个热激蛋白PsHsps基因的相对表达量随温度的升高总体呈增加趋势,相关性分析表明,除Pshsp70-4在雌成虫中的表达量与热胁迫温度的相关系数为0.225外,各龄期中3个基因的表达量与温度的相关系数均大于0.6,显著相关;43℃和45℃胁迫下,各龄期的3个热激蛋白基因相对表达量均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。【结论】棉花粉蚧热激蛋白基因的表达与温度呈正相关,在该虫应对高温中起着重要作用。     

Translational regulation of Hsp90 mRNA. AUG-proximal 5'-untranslated region elements essential for preferential heat shock translation

Heat shock in Drosophila results in repression of most normal (non-heat shock) mRNA translation and the preferential translation of the heat shock mRNAs. The sequence elements that confer preferential translation have been localized to the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) for Hsp22 and Hsp70 mRNAs (in Drosophila). Hsp90 mRNA is unique among the heat shock mRNAs in having extensive secondary structure in its 5'-UTR and being abundantly represented in the non-heat shocked cell. In this study, we show that Hsp90 mRNA translation is inefficient at normal growth temperature, and substantially activated by heat shock. Its preferential translation is not based on an IRES-mediated translation pathway, because overexpression of eIF4E-BP inhibits its translation (and the translation of Hsp70 mRNA). The ability of Hsp90 mRNA to be preferentially translated is conferred by its 5'-UTR, but, in contrast to Hsp22 and -70, is primarily influenced by nucleotides close to the AUG initiation codon. We present a model to account for Hsp90 mRNA translation, incorporating results indicating that heat shock inhibits eIF4F activity, and that Hsp90 mRNA translation is sensitive to eIF4F inactivation.     

Differential expression pattern of heat shock protein 70 gene in tissues and heat stress phenotypes in goats during peak heat stress period

It has been established that the synthesis of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is temperature-dependent. The Hsp70 response is considered as a cellular thermometer in response to heat stress and other stimuli. The variation in Hsp70 gene expression has been positively correlated with thermotolerance in Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, rodents and human. Goats have a wide range of ecological adaptability due to their anatomical and physiological characteristics; however, the productivity of the individual declines during thermal stress. The present study was carried out to analyze the expression of heat shock proteins in different tissues and to contrast heat stress phenotypes in response to chronic heat stress. The investigation has been carried out in Jamunapari, Barbari, Jakhrana and Sirohi goats. These breeds differ in size, coat colour and production performance. The heat stress assessment in goats was carried out at a temperature humidity index (THI) ranging from 85.36–89.80 over the period. Phenotyping for heat stress susceptibility was carried out by combining respiration rate (RR) and heart rate (HR). Based on the distribution of RR and HR over the breeds in the population, individual animals were recognized as heat stress-susceptible (HSS) and heat stress-tolerant (HST). Based on their physiological responses, the selected animals were slaughtered for tissue collection during peak heat stress periods. The tissue samples from different organs such as liver, spleen, heart, testis, brain and lungs were collected and stored at ?70 °C for future use. Hsp70 concentrations were analyzed from tissue extract with ELISA. mRNA expression levels were evaluated using the SYBR green method. Kidney, liver and heart had 1.5–2.0-fold higher Hsp70 concentrations as compared to other organs in the tissue extracts. Similarly, the gene expression pattern of Hsp70 in different organs indicated that the liver, spleen, brain and kidney exhibited 5.94, 4.96, 5.29 and 2.63-fold higher expression than control. Liver and brain tissues showed the highest gene expression at mRNA levels as compared to kidney, spleen and heart. HST individuals had higher levels of mRNA level expression than HSS individuals in all breeds. The Sirohi breed showed the highest (6.3-fold) mRNA expression levels as compared to the other three breeds, indicating the better heat stress regulation activity in the breed.     

Evidence for the possible involvement of calmodulin in regulation of steady state levels of Hsp90 family members (Hsp87 and Hsp85) in response to heat shock in sorghum

Pharmacological studies, using Ca²⁺ channel blockers (LaCl₃ and verapamil) and calmodulin (CaM) antagonists (CPZ and W7), were carried out to understand the role of Ca²⁺/CaM in the regulation of heat shock-induced expression of Hsp90 (Hsp87 and Hsp85) and Hsp70 (Hsp75 and Hsp73) members in sorghum. It was observed that the expression of both Hsp87 and Hsp85 proteins was decreased in presence of Ca²⁺ channel blockers and CaM antagonists, under both control and heat stress conditions, as contrary to the steady state levels of Hsp75 and Hsp73, which were not affected significantly under similar conditions. Further, the exposure of sorghum seedlings to geldanamycin, a specific inhibitor of Hsp90, resulted in induction of Hsp87 and Hsp85 in the absence of heat shock also. This study provides the first evidence suggesting that in plants, the in vivo expression of Hsp90 (Hsp87 and Hsp85) is likely to be modulated by Ca²⁺/CaM under normal and thermal stress conditions. The likely implications of these findings are discussed.Key words: calmodulin, calmodulin-binding proteins, heat shock proteins, sorghum