Expression of heat shock proteins 70 and 90 in tissues of the western painted turtle following bacterial infection and anoxia

Hsp73, 72 and 90 expression was investigated in the western painted turtle following bacterial infection, forced dive and reoxygenation. Following infection, Hsp73 expression increased in brain, liver and heart Hsp72 in brain and liver Hsp90 in brain, heart and skeletal muscle. Following a 30h forced dive, Hsp73, 72 and 90 expression remained at control levels for at least 12h in all tissues but the liver. Brain and liver Hsp73, 72 and 90 expression increased 3-fold by 18, 24 and 30h dive. Heart and muscle Hsp73 and heart Hsp90 expression did not change throughout the entire dive, while heart and muscle Hsp72 and muscle Hsp90 increased 4-fold by 24 and 30h dive. Following reoxygenation, Hsp expression increased in all tissues. I conclude that increased Hsp expression is not critical to early anoxic survival but could play a role in promoting long-term anoxia tolerance.