The 60-kDa heat shock protein (HSP60) of the sea anemone Anemonia viridis:A potential early warning system for environmental changes

Expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) is often correlated with adaptatio n to environmental stress. We examined the role of HSP60 (60 kDa) in acclim atization to thermal stress in the sea anemone Anemonia viridis. Using mono clonal antibodies, we identified HSP60 in sea anemones for the first time, and showed that its expression varied with changes in seawater temperature (SWT). Anemonia viridis displayed high levels of HSP60 when extreme tempera tures prevailed in stressful habitats such as tidal pools. Specimens sample d from different temperature layers in the same tidal pool differed in thei r levels of HSP60. Specimens from subtidal zones exhibited a seasonal patte rn of expression of HSP60, according to the seasonal SWT. The level of HSP6 0 was significantly higher in the summer (SWT, 31 degreesC) than in other s easons throughout the year. This study suggests the use of HSP60 expression as a tool for stress detection in marine invertebrates.