Heat shock proteins and effects of heat shock in plants

Heat shock proteins and effects of heat shock in plants

1982

REP.SB-0797

Soybean seedlings when exposed to a heat shock respond in a manner very similar to that exhibited by cultured cells, and reported earlier [2]. Maximum sysnthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs) occurs at 40 C. The heat shock response is maintained for a relatively short time under continuous high temperature. After 2.5 hr at 40 C the synthesis of HSPs decreases reaching a very low level by 6 hr. The HSPs synthesized by cultured cells and seedlings are identical and there is a large degree of similarity in HSPs synthesized between the taxonomically widely separated species, soybean and corn. Storage protein synthesis in the developing soybean embryo is not inhibited but is actually stimulated during a heat shock, unlike most other non-HSPs, whose synthesis is greatly reduced. Seedlings respond differently to a gradual increase in temperature than they do a sudden heat shock. There is an upward shift of several degrees in the temperature at which maximum protein synthesis occurs and before it begins to be inhibited. In addition, there appears to be a protection of normal protein synthesis from heat shock inhibition when the temperature increase is gradual. An additional function of the heat shock phenomenon might be the protection of seedligns from death caused by exreme heat stress. The heat shock response appears to have relevance to plants in the field. [AS]

v.1(2):103-115, PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

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