The Role of Hsp70 in Cold Tolerance of the Insect Pyrrhocoris apterus
Author Information
Author(s): Koštál Vladimír, Tollarová-Borovanská Michaela
Primary Institution: Biology Centre ASCR, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Hypothesis
Does the 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) assist in the repair of chilling injury in the insect Pyrrhocoris apterus?
Conclusion
Accumulation of Hsp70 is an important component of cold tolerance adaptation in Pyrrhocoris apterus.
Supporting Evidence
- Hsp70 mRNA levels increased significantly in response to both heat and cold stress.
- RNAi suppression of Hsp70 led to a complete loss of cold tolerance in treated insects.
- Cold tolerance increased when insects were pre-exposed to mild heat shock before cold exposure.
Takeaway
This study found that a special protein helps bugs survive cold temperatures by repairing damage caused by the cold.
Methodology
The study involved cloning and sequencing heat shock protein genes, RNA interference (RNAi) to suppress gene expression, and assessing survival after heat and cold exposure.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the use of only one insect model and the specific conditions under which experiments were conducted.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on male insects, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to females.
Participant Demographics
Adult males of the insect Pyrrhocoris apterus, collected in the field.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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