Exposure to the metabolic inhibitor sodium azide induces stress protein expression and thermotolerance in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
Historically, sodium azide has been used to anesthetize the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans; however, the mechanism by which it survives this exposure is not understood. In this study, we report that exposure of wild-type C elegans to 10 mM sodium azide for up to 90 minutes confers thermotolerance (defined as significantly increased survival probability [SP] at 37 degrees C) on the animal. In addition, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed enhanced Hsp70 expression, whereas Western blot analysis revealed the induction of Hsp16. We also tested the only known C elegans Hsp mutant def-21 (codes for Hsp90), which constitutively enters the stress-resistant state known as the dauer larvae. Daf-21 mutants also acquire sodium azide-induced thermotolerance, whereas 3 non-Hsp, constitutive dauer-forming mutants exhibited a variable response to azide exposure. We conclude that the ability of C elegans to survive exposure to azide is associated with the induction of at least 2 stress proteins.
Massie
Michelle R
MR
Department of Biology/Toxicology, Ashland University, Ashland, OH 44805, USA.
Lapoczka
Elizabeth M
EM
Boggs
Kristy D
KD
Stine
Karen E
KE
White
Glenn E
GE
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009154:Mutation; D019810:Sodium Azide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013696:Temperature
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D019810:Sodium Azide