The 90 kDa heat shock protein (hsp90) is expressed throughout Brassica napus seed development and germination

Abstract

An analysis of the expression of hsp90 protein in developing seeds of Brassica napus showed that hsp90 is expressed during all the stages of seed development examined. Expression of hsp90 was also detected in the elongating axes and cotyledons of germinating seedlings. A heat shock treatment (40°C for 2 h) of seeds collected at 18 and 33 days after pollination led to minor increases in hsp90 protein levels. A similar treatment of germinating seeds led to increases in hsp90 mRNA levels and slight increases in the protein levels. The high level of expression of hsp90 in developing seeds and germinating seedlings in the absence of stress indicates a role for hsp90 during seed development and germination.