Variation in Hsp90, HSF-1, and hsp90 mRNA expression in tissues of pigs exposed to different durations of transport

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of transport on the expression of hsp90 mRNA, and on the proteins HSF-1 and Hsp90, in pig tissues. The pigs were divided into four groups and transported for 0 (control), 1, 2 or 4 h, respectively. The concentrations of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase distinctly increased after transportation. The levels of Hsp90 protein and mRNA were coincident in the tissues of transported pigs. After 2 h of transport, Hsp90 levels decreased in the stomach, and greatly decreased in the heart and liver. HSF-1 levels continuously decreased in the heart, while they remained unchanged in the liver and stomach, during transport of the pigs. These results indicate that expression of Hsp90 and HSF-1 are sensitive to transport in a time- and tissue-dependent manner, suggesting that these proteins may play different roles in these tissues during transportation.