Heat shock response of Bactrocera oleae (Diptera : Tephritidae): Genes andproteins

The heat shock response as revealed by heat inducible puffing and protein p atterns, as well as the localization of the major heat shock genes on the s alivary gland polytene chromosomes of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin), a major agricultural pest, have been studied. After in situ hybr idization of specific DNA sequences to the polytene chromosomes of B. oleae , the loci of the major heat shock genes hsp70, hsp83, and a putative hsp68 were detected. The two latter genes gave unique signals, and hsp70 hybridi zed to two adjacent discrete bands. Eight puffs were induced after heat sho ck, two of which were found to be the loci of the hsp70 and hsp83 genes. Th e newly synthesized polypeptides from the salivary glands of B. oleae, afte r gradual temperature elevation from 25 to 42 degrees C, were analyzed in d enaturing acrylamide gels. The most heat inducible polypeptides were found to exhibit relative electrophoretic mobilities of 83, 70, 69, 27, 26, and 2 3 kDa. The thermotolerance of B. oleae assumed by the above results is disc ussed in comparison with that observed in Drosophila species.