Canadian Forest Service Publications
Identification and expression analysis of multiple small heat shock protein genes in spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (L.) 2017. Quan, G.; Duan, J.; Ladd, T.; Krell, P.J. Cell Stress and Chaperones 23(1);141-154.
Year: 2017
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 38908
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: 10.1007/s12192-017-0832-7
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Abstract
Fifteen small heat shock protein (sHSP) genes were identified from spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (L.), an important native forest pest in North America. The transcript levels of each CfHSP were measured under non- stress conditions in all life stages from egg to adult and in five different larval tissues. CfHSP transcript levels showed varia- tion during development, with highest levels in adults and lowest in eggs. Most CfHSP transcripts are highly expressed in larval fat body and Malpighian tubules; two CfHSPs dis- play extremely high expression in the head and epidermis. Upon heat stress, nine CfHSP genes are significantly upregu- lated, increasing by 50- to 2500-fold depending on develop- mental stage and tissue type. Upon starvation, eight CfHSPs are upregulated or downregulated, whereas six others retain constant expression. These results suggest that CfHSPs have important and multiple roles in spruce budworm development and in response to heat stress and starvation.
Plain Language Summary
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) comprise an important family of proteins. Some HSPs contribute to stress tolerance, enhancing insect survival in severe environmental conditions. Studying HSPs may led to a better understanding of how pest insects survive in unfavorable environments and how the changing climate affects their geographical distribution and outbreaks. We have identified, in the spruce budworm (SBW), 15 genes that encode HSPs, eight of which are likely to be unique to SBW. Under no-stress conditions, levels of various HSPs differ according to life stage and particular body tissue. For example, overall gene expression is highest in adults and lowest in eggs. Still, during larval stages, most genes are highly expressed in the fat body and Malpighian tubules, organs analogous in function to our liver and kidneys. Upon heat stress, the expression of nine HSP genes increased by 50 to 2000 fold depending on developmental stage and tissue analyzed. Starvation alters the level of expression of eight HSP genes. These results suggest that sHSPs have important and multiple roles in SBW development and in response to heat stress and starvation. Knowledge gained about the function of these HSPs will assist in the prediction of outbreaks and distribution of SBW.
