title: Expression of hsp90 mediates cytoprotective effects in the gastrodermis of planarians.
abstract: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a crucial role in the protection of cells. In the present study, we have identified an hsp90-related gene (Djhsp90) encoding a cytosolic form of HSP90 that is primarily expressed in gastrodermis of the planarian Dugesia japonica. Djhsp90 becomes significantly induced after traumatic amputation or other stress stimuli, such as exposure to X-ray or ultraviolet radiations, heat shock, or prolonged starvation. When Djhsp90 is silenced by ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi), planarians dramatically decrease in size, becoming unable to eat, and die in a few weeks. Our results indicate that this gene plays an essential cytoprotective role in the gastrodermis of planarians and suggest that this chaperone can be involved in autophagic processes that are activated by this tissue.
authors: Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Conte
authors: Maria Emilia
authors: ME
authors: Isolani
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Deri
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Mannini
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: Batistoni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000528:radiation effects; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D010932:Planarians / Q000378:metabolism*; D034622:RNA Interference; D013696:Temperature; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins