title: HSP16.6 is involved in the development of thermotolerance and thylakoid stability in the unicellular cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.
abstract: The low molecular weight (LMW) heat shock protein (HSP), HSP16.6, in the unicellular cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, protects cells from elevated temperatures. A 95% reduction in the survival of mutant cells with an inactivated hsp16.6 was observed after exposure for 1 h at 47 degrees C. Wild-type cell survival was reduced to only 41%. HSP16.6 is also involved in the development of thermotolerance. After a sublethal heat shock at 43 degrees C for 1 h and subsequent challenge exposure at 49 degrees C for 40 min, mutant cells did not survive, while 64% of wild-type cells survived. Ultrastructural changes in the integrity of thylakoid membranes of heat-shocked mutant cells also are discussed. These results demonstrate an important protective role for HSP16.6 in the protection of cells and, in particular, thylakoid membrane against thermal stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Prochaska
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Barnum
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009154:Mutation; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins