Cytoplasmic HSP70 homologues of pea: differential expression in vegetative and embryonic organs

Eukaryotes express several cytoplasmic HSP70 genes, and their encoded proteins participate in diverse cellular processes. Three cDNAs encoding highly expressed cytoplasmic HSP70 homologues from Pisum sativum were cloned and characterized. They were designated PsHSP71.2, PsHSC71.0, and PsHSP70b. These HSP70 genes have different expression profiles in leaves: PsHSP71.2 is observed only in response to heat stress, PsHSC71.0 is present constitutively, and PsHSP70b is weakly constitutively expressed, but induced strongly in response to heat stress. In addition to being heat induced, the PsHSP71.2 mRNA is also expressed in zygotic, but not maternal organs of developing pea seeds, while PsHSC71.0 and PsHSP70b mRNAs are present in maternal and zygotic organs throughout seed development. Immunoblot analysis of parallel protein samples detects a 70 kDa polypeptide in all samples, and a 72 kDa polypeptide that corresponds to the PsHSP71.2 gene product is observed in cotyledons beginning at mid-maturation and in axes beginning between late maturation and desiccation. This polypeptide is not detected in the seed coat. The 72 kDa polypeptide remains abundant in both cotyledons and axes through germination, but declines substantially between 48 and 72 h after the onset of imbibition. Differential control of HSP70 expression during heat stress, seed maturation, and germination is consistent with the hypothesis that there are functional distinctions between cytoplasmic HSP70s.