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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #318312
Title: The Effects of Heat Treatment on the Gene Expression of Several Heat Shock Protein Genes in Two Cultivars of Strawberry

Author
item BROWN, REGINALD - University Of Florida
item WANG, HEHE - University Of Florida
item Slovin, Janet
item Turechek, William

Submitted to: International Journal of Fruit Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/30/2016
Publication Date: 7/1/2016
Citation: Brown, R., Wang, H., Slovin, J.P., Turechek, W. 2016. The Effects of Heat Treatment on the Gene Expression of Several Heat Shock Protein Genes in Two Cultivars of Strawberry. International Journal of Fruit Science. 16:239-248.

Interpretive Summary: Xanthomonas fragariae is a bacterium that causes angular leaf spot in strawberry. Heat treatment has been shown to be an effective method for reducing systemic pathogens but the process often has adverse effects on plant health. Research has shown that a brief heat treatment at lower temperature prior to the main heat treatment can induce heat shock proteins in plants which serve to protect the plant from damage when treated at higher temperatures. The objective of this study was to determine the relative gene expression of two heat shock factors (HSFs) and eight heat shock proteins (HSPs) in two strawberry cultivars (Festival and Ventana) known to have differential tolerance to heat. Results showed that transcripts of one HSF and five HSPs were significantly more abundant in cv. Festival but transcripts from only one gene, sHsp15.96, were significantly more abundant in cv. Ventana. Results of this study have identified gene candidates that may confer heat tolerance in strawberry, which may be useful for selecting heat tolerant plants in breeding programs.

Technical Abstract: Xanthomonas fragariae is a bacterium that causes angular leaf spot (ALS) in strawberry. ALS primarily affects the foliage, but can move systemically through the plant’s vascular tissue to infect additional tissues. Heat treatment has been shown to be an effective method for reducing systemic pathogens but the process often has adverse effects on plant health. Research has shown that a brief heat treatment at lower temperature prior to the main heat treatment can induce heat shock proteins in plants which serve to protect the plant from damage when treated at higher temperatures. The objective of this study was to determine the relative gene expression of two heat shock factors (HSFs) and eight heat shock proteins (HSPs) in two strawberry cultivars (Festival and Ventana) known to have differential tolerance to heat. Strawberry plants were treated at 37°C for one hour to induce the heat shock response. Total RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was used to determine the amount of target produced. Relative gene expression was determined using the 2^(-''Ct ) method. Results showed that transcripts of one HSF and five HSPs were significantly more abundant in cv. Festival (p<0.05) but transcripts from only one gene, sHsp15.96, were significantly more abundant in cv. Ventana. Results of this study have identified gene candidates that may confer heat tolerance in strawberry, which may be useful for selecting heat tolerant plants in breeding programs.