DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF HSP70 PROTEINS IN RESPONSE TO HEAT AND CADMIUM IN CAENORHABDITIS-ELEGANS

1. The patterns of HSP70 expression induced in Caenorhabditis elegans by mild (31 degrees C) or severe (34 degrees C) heat shock, and by cad mium ions at 31 degrees C, have been compared with those expressed con stitutively ill 20 degrees C controls by 1- and a-dimensional immunobl otting. 2. The 2D spot patterns become more complex with increasing se verity of stress (34 degrees C > 31 degrees C + Cd > 31 degrees C > 20 degrees C). 3. A stress-inducible transgene construct is minimally ac tive at 31 degrees C, but is abundantly expressed in the presence of c admium or at 34 degrees C. 4. Differing degrees or types of stress may differentially induce available hsp70 promoters.