Heat shock protein (Hsp) accumulation enhances biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in the brine shrimp Artemia. Although there is evidence that Hsp70 plays a role in improved tolerance, the processes involved have yet to be elucidated, especially since the particular Hsp70 isoform conferring shrimp resistance is unknown. RNA interference gene knockdown is a promising method for studying the role of Hsp70 in stress tolerance in this crustacean species. Specifically, dsRNA capable of knocking down HSP70 was produced, purified, and injected into Artemia’s female brood. The ability of dsRNA to knockdown Hsp70 was confirmed by Western immunoblotting on larval protein extracts. Upon obtaining Hsp70 knockdown, animals were exposed to abiotic and biotic stressors, the latter being a pathogenic Vibrio challenge. The acquisition of stress tolerance in Hsp70- knockdown animals and controls was established based on the challenge test survival percentage, work that involves larval development of these animals following dsRNA injection. Further understanding of the role of Hsp70 is expected to aid in the development of strategies to protect Artemia and possibly other shrimp species from stress, with the development of Hsp70 stimulating factor offering as an excellent example.
Keywords: Brine shrimp; Artemia; heat shock proteins; Hsp70; Stress