Sorbitol accumulation in whiteflies: evidence for a role in protecting proteins during heat stress

1. The relationship between sorbitol accumulation and thermotolerance was e xamined in whiteflies and was related to the thermoprotective properties of sorbitol in vitro. 2. Whiteflies that were conditioned at 40 degrees C on diets that supported sorbitol accumulation had lower mortality rates at 44 and 46 degrees C tha n unconditioned whiteflies and whiteflies that were conditioned at 40 degre es C on diets that did not support sorbitol accumulation. 3. Physiological concentrations of sorbitol protected soluble whitefly prot eins from heat-induced aggregation and inactivation. 4. Sorbitol accumulation in heat-stressed whiteflies was analogous to treha lose accumulation in yeast, and in the same way probably increases the ther motolerance of whiteflies. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.