Heat-shock proteins are induced in unstressed leaves of Nicotiana attenuata (Solanaceae) when distant leaves are stressed

In Nicotiana attenuata, systemic induction of heat-shock proteins (Hsps) wa s detected in response to the treatment of single leaves by either heat sho ck, mechanical damage, or exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MJ). A ll treatments increased the abundance of members of the 70-kD Hsp (Hsp70) f amily and induced synthesis of one or more of the small Hsps (sHsp) (16-23 kD) in both treated and untreated leaves. These results provide the first e vidence that Hsps can be systemically induced in plants and suggest that sy stemic induction of Hsps may be important in pre-adapting leaves to stress.