Heat shock protein (hsp70) in brown trout epidermis after sudden temperature rise.
So far, hsp70 has not yet been studied in the fish skin. This organ has a potential as an indicator organ and we investigate whether hsp70 could be used as a biomarker. In this study, we examined whether and how the epidermis reacts to a temperature rise. Brown trout, Salmo trutta fario, were exposed to higher temperature for 2 h and were allowed to recover subsequently. Samples were taken from controls, after heat shock, as well as after 24 and 48 h of recovery. The occurrence of hsp70 in trout skin was examined by Western blot. The amount of hsp70 was higher after 2-h heat shock and was rising until the end of the experiment. Immunocytochemically, hsp70 was detected in epidermal filament cells. After 2-h heat shock, hsp70 was predominantly located in the nucleus. At this time, light and electron microscopy revealed several features known to occur under a variety of stressors. Ultrastructurally, the appearance of compact filament aggregates in pavement cells was remarkable. After 24 h of recovery, filament compaction was lacking and after 48 h aspects of regeneration were obvious. However, an increased amount of apoptotic cells in the epidermis was prominent at this time only.
Interdisciplinary Centre for General Ecology, University of Berne, Switzerland. patricia.holm@kaoe.unibe.ch
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P
Burkhardt-Holm
H
H
Schmidt
W
W
Meier
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015415:Biomarkers; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013696:Temperature; D014337:Trout
D015415:Biomarkers; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins