Chromosomal location of genes controlling heat shock proteins in hexaploid wheat

The low molecular weight heat shock protein (HSP) profiles of the hexaploid wheat cultivar "Chinese Spring" and its ditelosomic series were characterized by isoelectric focusing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of denatured in vivo radiolabeled proteins. Comparisons of the ditelosomics (DTs) to the euploid "Chinese Spring" enabled the assignment of genes controlling 9 of the 13 targeted HSPs to seven chromosome arms. There did not appear to be a genome-specific action in the regulation of expression of these HSPs. There did appear to be a higher frequency of controlling genes within homoeologous DT lines 3, 4 and 7. Significant variation in protein quantity was evident among the DT lines for some HSPs, while other HSPs were remarkably stable in their expression across all DTs examined. The results are useful in identifying specific DT lines for the investigation of HSP functions in hexaploid wheat.