Effects of atrazine and chlorpyrifos on the mRNA levels of HSP70 and HSC70 in the liver, brain, kidney and gill of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Abstract

Although the chaperone role of heat shock proteins (HSPs) has been demonstrated in invertebrates, the function of HSPs in vertebrates, especially in fish, remains unclear. In this study, relative changes in the mRNA abundance of the HSP70 gene were examined by real-time PCR in the muscle, spleen, head kidney, heart, liver, brain, kidney and gill of common carp. Results indicated that the highest and lowest levels of HSP70 expression were found in the heart and muscle, respectively, and the highest and lowest levels of HSC70 expression were found in the spleen and muscle, respectively. In addition, we investigated differential HSP70 gene expression in common carp after a 40-d exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) and atrazine (ATR), alone or in combination, and after a 20-d recovery. Results indicated that the expression of carp HSP70 and 70-kDa heat shock cognate protein (HSC70) with ATR and CPF treatment alone or in combination was significantly upregulated. The present results provide new insights into the mechanisms used by fish to adapt to stressful environments.