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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Standardized Methods for Measuring Induction of the Heat Shock Response in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: July 3, 2020
Beta-adrenergic stimulation enhances the heat-shock response in fish
Suzanne Currie1, Katharine Reddin, Patrick McGinn
1Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick E4L 1G7, Canada. scurrie@mta.ca
Abstract:
We have taken advantage of the unique properties of nucleated rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) red blood cells (rbcs) to demonstrate that beta-adrenergic stimulation with the agonist, isoproterenol, significantly enhanced the heat-induced induction of heat-shock proteins (Hsps) in trout rbcs without affecting hsp expression on its own. Furthermore, this beta-adrenergic potentiation of hsp expression occurred only at physiologically relevant concentrations of adrenergic stimulation. In further experiments, we found that adrenaline increased 100-fold and noradrenaline increased 50-fold in trout after a 1-h heat shock at 25 degrees C, approximately 12 degrees C above acclimation temperature. This is the first time the adrenergic heat-shock response has been described for a temperate fish species. We conclude that beta-adrenergic stimulation enhances hsp expression in trout rbcs following heat stress, indicating physiological regulation of the cellular stress response in fish.
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