Molecular characterization of three Hsp90 from Pieris and expression patterns in response to cold and thermal stress in summer and winter diapause of Pieris melete

Abstract Heat shock proteins (Hsps) have been linked to stresses and winter diapause in insects, but whether they are components of summer diapause is still unknown. In this study, complementary DNAs of Hsp90 from Pieris melete , Pieris rapae and Pieris canidia named PmHsp90 , PrHsp90 and PcHsp90 , respectively, were cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence consisted of 718 amino acid residues with a putative molecular mass of 82.6, 82.6 and 82.7 kDa, respectively. The amino acid sequences contained all of the five conserved signature motifs in the Hsp90 family and a bHLH protein folding activity region. The differential expression pattern of PmHsp90 in response to summer diapause and winter diapause, which are related to heat/cold stress, was investigated. Cold stress induced Hsp90 up‐regulation in summer and winter diapause pupae, but not in non‐diapause individuals. Heat shock up‐regulated PmHsp90 gradually with an increase in temperature in summer diapause, and PmHsp90 was rapidly up‐regulated in winter diapause. After 30 min heat shock at 39°C, substantial up‐regulation of PmHsp90 transcript levels were observed both in summer and winter diapause. However, in non‐diapause a relatively stable expression was found under different durations of 39°C heat shock. Compared to the optimal treatment of 18°C for diapause development, a high temperature acclimation of 31°C induced PmHsp90 up‐regulation in summer diapause, whereas a low temperature acclimation of 4°C induced up‐regulation in winter diapause. The current results indicate that Hsp90 may play an important role in response to heat/cold stress both in summer and winter diapause.