Jae-Sung Rhee, Jang-Seu Ki, Bo-Mi Kim, Soon-Jin Hwang, Ik-Young Choi, Jae-Seong Lee
Department of Molecular and Environmental Bioscience, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea.
Journal of microbiology and biotechnology 2012 JanHeat shock proteins (Hsps) play a key role in the cellular defense response to diverse environmental stresses. Here, the role of Hsp genes in the acquisition of thermotolerance in the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa NIES-298 was investigated. Twelve Hsp-related genes were examined to observe their modulated expression patterns at different temperatures (10, 15, 25, and 35° C) over different exposure periods. HspA and HtpG transcripts showed an up-regulation of expression at low temperatures (10 and 15° C) and high temperature (35° C), compared with the control (25° C). To examine their effects upon thermotolerance, we purified recombinant HspA and HtpG proteins. During a thermotolerance study at 54° C, the HspA-transformed bacteria showed increased thermotolerance compared with the control. HtpG also played a role in the defense response to acute heat stress within 30 min. These findings provide a better understanding of cellular protection mechanisms against heat stress in cyanobacteria.
Jae-Sung Rhee, Jang-Seu Ki, Bo-Mi Kim, Soon-Jin Hwang, Ik-Young Choi, Jae-Seong Lee. HspA and HtpG enhance thermotolerance in the cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa NIES-298. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology. 2012 Jan;22(1):118-25
PMID: 22297228
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