Distinct chemical contaminants induce the synthesis of Hsp70 proteins in green microalgae Desmodesmus subspicatus: Heat pretreatment increases cadmium resistance

Using western-blotting techniques, we examined the effect of differently acting contaminants, such as anthracene (PAH), cadmium (heavy metal) and chloridazone (herbicide), as well as heat shock on the production of two Hsp70 proteins (cytoplasmic and stromal) in planktonic algae Desmodesmus subspicatus. All contaminants applied stimulated production of both Hsp70s in a concentration-dependent manner, but heat shock treatment turned out to be the most effective. Heat shock pretreatment (for 1 h at 40 °C) induced tolerance to cadmium in algal cells (measured by changes in growth rate), but not to anthracene or chloridazone. Two Hsp70s from D. subspicatus cells representing cytoplasmic and stromal proteins were purified by ATP-affinity chromatography.