Characterization of heat-shock proteins in Escherichia coli strains under thermal stress in vitro

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat stress in in vitro conditions on the induction of heat-shock protein (Hsp)70 by Escherichia coli cells, and to determine the localization of Hsps in cell fractions. The material consisted of wild strains of E. coli isolated from the digestive tract of calves, suspended in an exponential-phase culture and subjected to 41.5 °C for 2 h. Individual fractions were analysed by SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Western blotting with mouse anti-Hsp70 and anti-Hsp60 mAbs was used to identify the proteins. Electrophoretic analysis of the heat-treated cells detected Hsp70 in all three fractions, cytoplasmic, periplasmic and membrane, which was confirmed by Western blotting. The proteins obtained had diverse localizations in the pH gradient in two-dimensional electrophoresis, which may indicate changes in their conformation and physical properties leading to stabilization and protection of intracellular structures in stress conditions. The presence of these Hsps in different cell fractions indicates a very strong protective adaptation in the bacteria in unfavourable conditions, which is critical for the organism infected by them.