Cloning and expression analysis of an inducible HSP70 gene from tilapia fish

We isolated and characterized the tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) NSP70 g ene, highly homologous to other HSP70 genes. A dramatic increase of tilapia NSP70 mRNA levels was observed after heat shock of whole animals in all or gans tested. Reporter constructs were tested for transient expression in ca rp cells and in microinjected zebrafish embryos. The entire isolated regula tory region (-851/+157) mas able to mediate heat shock inducible expression of the reporter gene, with no preference for a particular tissue, Our stud ies represent the first transcriptional analysis of a HSP70 promoter from f ish, revealing a powerful tool to direct controlled, tissue-independent gen e expression in fish, (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies .