Regulation of Heat Shock Factor AtHsfA1a on Ascorbate Peroxidase under Heat Stress in Arabidopsis thaliana

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the regulation of heat shock factor AtHsfA1a on ascorbate peroxidase under heat stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. [Method] After heat stress treatment on transgenetic A. thaliana with silenced endogenetic AtHsfA1a gene and wild A. thaliana plants as materials, the change in activity of APX enzyme was analyzed by spectrophotometry, the expression level of APX gene was investigated by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and the binding condition of AtHsfAla with the promoter region of APX gene was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. [Result] The activity and mRNA level of APX in plants with silenced endogenetic AtHsfAla gene were higher than those in wild plants. Fragments of the promoter region of APX gene were not screened from the plants with silenced endogenetic AtHsfA1a gene, but found in wild plants. [Conclusion] This study provides a theoretical basis for the understanding of the important role of AtHsfAla in resistance to stress in plant, and is of great significance to the revealing of mechanism of resistance to stress in plant.

Prokaryotic Expression and Purification of Heat Shock Factor HSF1 in Arabidopsis thaliana

[ Objective ] This study was to express and purify Arabidopsis thaliana heat shock factor HSF1. [ Method ] Using Escherichia coli M15 harboring HSF1 （pQE32/His6-HSF1, pREP4） as experimental materials, HSF1 was induced to express with isopropyl-β-D-galactoside （IPTG） ; then the expression product was purified using Ni-NTA-agarose affinity chromatography and analyzed by SDS-PAGE. [Result] HSF1 of Arabidopsis thaliana was successfully expressed and purified. [ Conclusion] This study provides materials for understanding the blinding site of HSF1 on Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome, further laying a good foundation for revealing the regulatory mechanism and physiological function of HSF1.

The ZmHSF08-ZmUGT92A1 module regulates heat tolerance by altering reactive oxygen species levels in maize

GTs(Glycosyltransferases)are important in plant growth and abiotic stresses.However,its role in maize heat response is far from clear.Here,we describe the constitutively expressed UDP-glycosyltransferase ZmUGT92A1,which has a highly conserved PSPG box and is localized in chloroplasts,is induced under heat stress.Functional disruption of ZmUGT92A1 leads to heat sensitivity and reactive oxygen species accumulation in maize.Metabolomics analysis revealed that ZmUGT92A1 affected multiple metabolic pathways and altered the metabolic homeostasis of flavonoids under heat stress.In vitro assay showed ZmUGT92A1 exhibits glycosyltransferase activity on flavonoids and hormones.Additionally,we identified a rapidly heat-induced transcription factor,ZmHSF08,which can directly bind and repress the promoter region of ZmUGT92A1.The ZmHSF08 overexpression line exhibits heat sensitivity and reactive oxygen species accumulation.These findings reveal that the ZmHSF08-ZmUGT92A1 module plays a role in heat tolerance in maize and provide candidate strategies for the development of heat-tolerant varieties.

Expression of heat shock proteins (HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, GRP78, GRP94) in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinomas and dysplastic nodules

AIM: Expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) is frequently up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which evolves from dysplastic nodule (DN) and early HCC to advanced HCC. However, little is known about the differential expression of HSPs in multistep hepatocarcinogenesis. It was the purpose of this study to monitor the expression of HSPs in multistep hepatocarcinogenesis and to evaluate their prognostic significance in hepatitis B virus (HBV)related HCC.METHODS: Thirty-eight HCC and 19 DN samples were obtained from 52 hepatitis B surface antigen-positive Korean patients. Immunohistochemical and dot immunoblot analyses of HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, glucoseregulated protein (GRP)78, and GRP94 were performed and their expression at different stages of HCC development was statistically analyzed.RESULTS: Expression of HSP27, HSP70, HSP90, GRP78, and GRP94 increased along with the stepwise progression of hepatocarcinogenesis. Strong correlation was found only in GRP78 (Spearman's r= 0.802). There was a positive correlation between the expressions of GRP78, GRP94, HSP90, or HSP70 and prognostic factors of HCC. Specifically, the expression of GRP78, GRP94, or HSP90 was associated significantly with vascular invasion and intrahepatic metastasis.CONCLUSION: The expressions of HSPs are commonly up-regulated in HBV-related HCCs and GRP78 might play an important role in the stepwise progression of HBVrelated hepatocarcinogenesis. GRP78, GRP94, and HSP90 may be important prognostic markers of HBV-related HCC, strongly suggesting vascular invasion and intrahepatic metastasis.

Abrogation of heat-shock protein (HSP)70 expression induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in human androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3m

Aim: To investigate the effect of abrogating heat shock protein (HSP) 70 expression by antisense HSP70 oligonucleotides treatment on human androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3m growth. Methods: PC-3m cells were treated with 0-16 μmol/L antisense HSP70 oligomers for 0-100 hr. Cell growth inhibition was analyzed using a trypan blue dye exclusion test. Apoptotic cells were detected and confirmed by flow cytometric analysis and DNA fragmentation analysis. The protein expression of HSP70 and bcl-2 affected by antisense HSP70 oligomers were determined using Western blot. Results: Antisense HSP70 oligomer induced apoptosis and then inhibited proliferation of PC-3m cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Ladder-like patterns of DNA fragments were observed in PC-3m cells treated with 10 μmol/L antisense HSP70 oligomer for 48 hr or 8 μmol/L for 72 hr on agarose gel electrophoresis. Antisense HSP70 oligomer pretreatment enhanced the subsequent induction of apoptosis by heat shock in PC-3m cells. In addition, undetectable HSP70 expression was observed at a concentration of 10 μmol/L antisense HSP70 oligomer treatment for 48 hr or 8 μmol/L for 72 hr in Western blot, which was paralleled by decreased expression levels of anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2. Conclusion: HSP70 antisense oligomer treatment abrogates the expression of HSP70, which may disrupt HSP70-bcl-2-interactions and further down-regulate bcl-2 expression, in turn inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell growth in PC-3m cells.

Dorsomorphin induces cancer cell apoptosis and sensitizes cancer cells to HSP90 and proteasome inhibitors by reducing nuclear heat shock factor 1 levels

Objective: Heat shock factor 1(HSF1), a transcriptional regulator of heat shock proteins(HSPs), is an attractive therapeutic target for cancer. However, only a few HSF1 inhibitors have been identified so far.Methods: The mRNA and protein levels of HSF1, HSPs, cleaved PARP, and phosphorylated HSF1 were examined by real-time PCR and Western blot. Forced expression, RNA interference, and immunofluorescence assay were used for mechanistic studies.Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by WST-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Xenograft studies were performed in nude mice to evaluate the effect of dorsomorphin and an HSP90 inhibitor on tumor growth.Results: Dorsomorphin suppressed multiple stimuli-induced and constitutive HSPs expression in cancer cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that dorsomorphin reduced heat-induced HSP expression independent of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase. Dorsomorphin reduced heat-stimulated HSF1 Ser320 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, as well as resting nuclear HSF1 levels in cancer cells. Dorsomorphin induced cancer cell apoptosis by inhibiting HSF1 expression. A structure-activity study revealed that the 4-pyridyl at the 3-site of the pyrazolo [1, 5-a]pyrimidine ring is critical for the anti-HSF1 activities of dorsomorphin. Dorsomorphin sensitized cancer cells to HSP90 and proteasome inhibitors and inhibited HSP70 expression induced by these inhibitors in vitro. In tumor-bearing nude mice, dorsomorphin enhanced HSP90 inhibitor-induced cancer cell apoptosis, tumor growth inhibition, and HSP70 expression.Conclusions: Dorsomorphin is an HSF1 inhibitor. It induces cancer cell apoptosis, sensitizes cancer cells to both HSP90 and proteasome inhibitors, and suppresses HSP upregulation by these drugs, which may prevent the development of drug resistance.Hence, dorsomorphin and its derivates may serve as potential precursors for developing drugs against cancer.

Non-Fourier heat conduction induced thermal shock fracture behavior of multi-crack auxetic honeycomb structures

The investigation of non-Fourier thermal shock fracture behavior in multicrack auxetic honeycomb structures(HSs) is presented. By employing a non-Fourier heat conduction model, the corresponding temperature and thermal stress fields are established. Subsequently, a thermal stress intensity factor(TSIF) model for the auxetic HSs,accounting for multi-crack interactions, is developed. Finally, using the fracture-based failure criterion, the non-Fourier multi-crack critical temperature of the auxetic HSs is determined. This investigation thoroughly examines the effects of the non-Fourier effect(NFE), auxetic property, crack spacing, and crack location on the thermal shock fracture behavior of the auxetic HSs. Results indicate that a stronger NFE leads to weaker thermal shock resistance in auxetic HSs. Regardless of the presence of the NFE, the auxetic property consistently increases the multi-crack critical temperature of the HSs.Additionally, the interaction of multi-crack inhibits thermal shock crack propagation in HSs.

Effects of Heat Shock Factor AtHsfA1a on Caspase-3 Activity in Arabidopsis thaliana under High Temperature Stress

[ Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of heat shock factor AtHsfAla on Caspase-3 activity in Arabidopsis thaliana under high tempera-ture stress, thus revealing the relationship between heat shock factor AtHsfAl a and programmed cell death in A. thaliana. [ Method ] Different genotypes of A. thaliana （AtHsfAla-silenced transgenic and wild-type） seedlings were treated at 42 ℃. According to the fragmentation level of fluorogenic substrate Ac-DEVD- pNA, Caspase-3 activity was determined by spectrophotometry. [ Result] After high temperature treatment, Caspase-3 activity in A. thaliana was enhanced signifi-cantly. Caspase-3 activity in AtHsfAla-si／enced transgenic A. thaliana was higher than that in wild-type A. thaliana, which indicated that AtHsfAla could inhibit Caspase-3 activity in A. thaliana under high temperature stress. [ Conclusion] Under high temperature stress, heat shock factor AtHsfAla might exert inhibitory effects on programmed cell death by reducing Caspase-3 activity. This study provided the basis for clarifying the mechanism of stress resistance in plants.

The Expression Characteristics and Potential Functions of Heat Shock Factors in Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Heat shock transcription factor(HSF)are essential regulators of heat shock protein(HSP)gene expression in plants and algae,contributing to their resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses.However,the localization,structure,phylogenetic relationship,and characteristics of PtHSF genes in microalgae,especially in diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum,remain largely unexplored.This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the PtHSF gene family in P.tricornutum.A genome-wide analysis identified 68 PtHSF genes,which were classified into two distinct subfamilies:traditional and untraditional.Motif and structure analyses revealed evidence of multiple duplication events within the PtHSF gene family.Expression profiling revealed diurnal patterns,with 34 genes being downregulated during the light period and upregulated during the dark period,while 19 genes exhibited the opposite pattern.These findings suggest that PtHSF genes may have specialized functions during the diurnal cycle and play a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis in response to various stresses.Notably,PtHSF16,30,and 43 genes exhibited higher expression levels,suggesting their potential importance.This study provides a valuable foundation for future investigations into the specific functions of HSFs under different stress conditions and their regulatory mechanisms in P.tricornutum and other microalgae.

Effects of heat shock on change of HSC70/HSP68,acid and alkaline phosphatases before and after rat partial hepatectomy

INTRODUCTIONOnly the liver has the great capability ofregeneration in mammal.Few hepatocytes are inthe phase of division in the normal liver of an adultmammal (including human beings),but theremaining hepatocytes can be induced to proliferatequickly by partial hepatectomy (PH),and,to somedegree,they stop dividing and re-differentiate intocells functioning as hepatocytes.This shows

Hsp90 and reactive oxygen species regulate thermotolerance of rice seedlings via induction of heat shock factor A2 (OsHSFA2) and galactinol synthase 1 (OsGolS1)

Heat stress induces expression of a set of thermotolerance-related genes in plants. We focused on rice (Oryza sativa L.) homologs of the gene family that encodes galactinol synthase (OsGolS), which is closely related to the Arabidopsis thaliana galactinol synthase (AtGolS) family whose expression is induced under various stresses. OsGolS1 was highly up-regulated compare to the level of OsGolS2 in re- sponse to heat stress. Interestingly, OsGolS1 was also up-regulated by treatment with the Hsp90 inhibitor, geldanamycin (GDA). Expression profiles of OsGolS1 were correlated to those of OsHsfA2 under the GDA treatments. Treatment with GDA increased expression of OsHsfA2, but marginally increased or did not change OsHsfA1 expression. Notably, gel shift assay indicated that OsHsfA2 binds directly to OsGolS1 promoter region and that OsHsfA1 also binds to the promoter regions of OsHsfA2. Both OsHsfA2 and OsGolS1 were dramatically induced in response to heat stress. Accordingly, galactinol and raffinose contents in rice seedlings increased significantly following the induction of OsGolS1. Pre-treatment of rice seedlings with raffinose or GDA improved their thermotolerance. These results suggest that OsGolS1 plays an important role in response to heat stress, possibly via the transcription cascade of OsHsfA1-OsHsfA2 that leads to galactinol and raffinose accumulation, and that the increased content of these carbohydrates is a key response factor for rice seedlings to enhance thermotolerance.

Prognostic and immunological roles of heat shock protein A4 in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Heat shock protein A4(HSPA4)belongs to molecular chaperone protein family which plays important roles within variable cellular activities,including cancer initiation and progression.However,the prognostic and immunological significance of HSPA4 in lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)has not been revealed yet.AIM To explore the prognostic and immunological roles of HSPA4 to identify a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for LUAD.METHODS We assessed the prognostic and immunological significance of HSPA4 in LUAD using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database.The association between HSPA4 expression and clinical-pathological features was assessed through Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Univariate/multivariate Cox regression analyses and Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to evaluate prognostic factors,including HSPA4,in LUAD.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was conducted to identify the key signaling pathways associated with HSPA4.The correlation between HSPA4 expression and cancer immune infiltration was evaluated using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA).RESULTS Overexpressing HSPA4 was significantly related to advanced pathologic TNM stage,advanced pathologic stage,progression disease status of primary therapy outcome and female subgroups with LUAD.In addition,increased HSPA4 expression was found to be related to worse disease-specific survival and overall survival.GSEA analysis indicated a significant correlation between HSPA4 and cell cycle regulation and immune response,particularly through diminishing the function of cytotoxicity cells and CD8 T cells.The ssGSEA algorithm showed a positive correlation between HSPA4 expression and infiltrating levels of Th2 cells,while a negative correlation was observed with cytotoxic cell infiltration levels.CONCLUSION Our findings indicate HSPA4 is related to prognosis and immune cell infiltrates and may act as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for LUAD.

Influence of High Temperature on the Expression of Arabidopsis Heat Shock Transcription Factor AtHsfA1a

[ Objective] This study ~med to investigate the influence of high temperature on the expression of heat shock transcription factor AtHsfAla in different genotypes of Arabidopsis. [ Method ] Arabidopsis plants overexpressing heat shock transcription factor AtHsfA1 a were used as experimental materials and treated un- der high temperature at 39℃ for 1 rain and 5 min; total RNA of AtI-IsfAla was extracted, and the reverse transcription and amplification were conducted using RT- PCR technology, the amplification products were detected by electrophoresis. [ Result ] The expression levels of AtHsfA1 a in Arabidopsis plants overexpressing heat shock transcription factor AtHsfAla at high temperature and room temperature were higher than wild-type Arabidopsis; the expression levels of AtHsfAla in both wild-type Arab/dops/s and transgenic Arabidopsls plants overexpressing heat shock transcription factor AtHsfAla at high temperature of 39 ~C were higher than that at room temperature of 25 ~C, but the expression levels of AtHsfAla in wild-type Arab/dops/s and transgenic Arab/dops/s plants overexpressing heat shock transcription factor AtHsfAla varied little after high temperature treatment at 39 ~C for 1 rain or 5 rain. [ Conclusion] The expression of AtHsfAla is induced rapidly by high tem- perature, thus regulating the expression of early adversity-resistant genes. This study will lay the foundation demonstrating the mechanism of Arabidopsis heat shock transcription factor AtHsfAla.

Novel heat shock protein Hsp70L1 activates dendritic cells and acts as a Th1 polarizing adjuvant

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are reported to act as effective adjuvants to elicit anti-tumor and anti-infection immunity. Here, we report that Hsp70-like protein 1 (Hsp70L1), a novel HSP derived from human dendritic cells (DCs), has potent adjuvant effects that polarize responses toward Th1. With a calculated molecular weight of 54.8 kDa, Hsp70L1 is smaller in size than Hsp70 but resembles it both structurally and functionally. Hsp70L1 shares common receptors on DCs with Hsp70 and can interact with DCs, promoting DC maturation and stimulating secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 12p70 (IL-12p70), IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and the chemokines IP-10, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), MIP-1beta, and normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). The induction of interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) secretion by Hsp70L1 is not shared by Hsp70, and other functional differences include more potent stimulation of DC IL-12p70, CC-chemokine, and CCR7 and CXCR4 expression by Hsp70L1. Immunization of mice with the hybrid peptide Hsp70L1-ovalbumin(OVA)(257-264) induces an OVA(257-264)-specific Th1 response and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) that results in significant inhibition of E.G7-OVA tumor growth. The ability of Hsp70L1 to activate DCs indicates its potential as a novel adjuvant for use with peptide immunizations; the Hsp70L1 antigen peptide hybrid may serve as a more effective vaccine for the control of cancer and infectious diseases.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON MOXIBUSTION AT ZUSANLI(ST 36) AND LIANGMEN (ST 21) INDUCING HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 70 (HSP70) EXPRESSION TO RESIST OXIDATIVE INJURY OF GASTRIC MUCOSA

To observe effect of moxibustion at Zusanli （足三里 ST 36） and Liangmen （梁门 ST 21 ） on expression of heat shock protein 70 （HSP70） in gastric mucosa of the rat of stress ulcer （SU） to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in resisting oxidative injury of the gastric mucosa. Methods： Sixty SD rats were evenly randomized into 4 groups, a blank group, a model group, an acupoint moxibustion group and a non-acupoint moxibustion group. Water restraint stress （WRS） method was used to make stress gastric ulcer rat model. The ulcerative index （Ul） of gastric mucosa was evaluated by using GUTH method, the gastric mu- cosa blood flux （GMBF） was detected by a laser Doppler bloodflow monitor, and HSP70 expression and malondialdehyde （MDA） content in the gastric mucosa were determined respectively with immunohistochemical and thiobarbiturate methods. Results： Moxibustion at Zusanli （ST 36） and Liangmen （ST 21 ） significantly de- creased Ul, up-regulated HSP70 expression, increased GMBF, and decreased MDA content in the gastric mucosa in the rat of stress gastric ulcer, with significant differences as compared with the model group and the non-acupoint moxibustion group （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01 ）. Conclusion： Moxibustion at Zusanli （ST 36） and Liangmen （ST 21 ） can induce high expression of HSP70 and decrease MDA content in the gastric mucosa, so as to resist oxidative injury, with relative acupoint specificity.

Expression of HSP72 in Mouse Preimplantation Embryos with Heat Shock

The objective of the paper was to detect HSP72 expression and HSP72 gene sequence in heat shocked mouse preimplantation embryos and the effects of different thermo conditions on hatching rates of embryos. The mouse blastocysts cultured in vitro were heat treated at 40℃ and 38℃ for 1 h, 2 h and 3 h and then recovered at 370C for 3 h, 2 h and 1 h, respectively, to detect their HSP72 gene expression by using RT-PCR after the total R.NA extraction. The hatching rate of the blastocysts for different treated groups was recorded and the expression of liSP72 in the blastocysts was determined by Western blot. The results showed that all the groups of blastocysts, including the control, had the expression of HSP72 gene. The expression of HSP72 protein had the highest level in the embryos stressed at 38℃ for 2 h, and it was significantly higher than that in the control group. The expression of HSP72 in the groups of blastocysts treated at 40℃ was not significantly different from that in the control group. The embryos with induction of mild heat shock at 38℃ for 2 h, then subjected to heat shock at 40℃ for 2 h, had a significant higher （P〈0.05） hatching rate of 54.74% compared to 47.85% in the embryos treated directly at 40℃ for 2 h. The above results indicated that the mouse blastocysts were sensitive to heat shock and a mild heat shock induced HSP72 gene expression. Induction of HSP72 expression with mild heat shock helped embryos to tolerate more severe heat shocks.

Study of Heat Shock Protein HSP90α，HSP70，HSP27 mRNA Expression in Human Acute Leukemia Cells

The expression of three heat shock proteins (HSPs)-HSP90, HSP70,HSP27 in cells obtained from 22 patients with leukemia, K562 erythroleukemia cell line, and normal blood cells was observed by means of RNA dot blot analysis.The results showed that the expression of the HSP27 gene was enhanced in 4 cases of acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), 7 cases of acute nonlymphoid leukemia (ANLL) and 2 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as compared with that of the normal blood cells, yet there was no significant difference in the HSP27 expression between the ALL and ANLL cells. The expression of HSP70 in all the 5 ALL and ANLL patients was much lower than that of the normal subjects, except 1 case of ALL and 1 case of MDS, in which the expression was obviously enhanced. All the cases including 11 ANLL, 5 ALL and 1 MDS had higher HSP90α expression than the normal subjects. The enhanced expression of HSP90α in leukemia cells may be associated with the active and indefinite proliferation of leukemia cells. Our results also suggest that the high expression of the HSP27gene may not be confined to a specific type of acute leukemia.

Microarray-based Screening of Target Genes Regulated by Heat Shock Factor AtHsfA1a in Arabidopsis thaliana

[ Objective] This study aimed to screen target genes regulated by heat shock factor AtHsfAla in Arabidopsis thaliana. [ Method] Using AtHsfAla-in- serted mutant athsfala （SALK-068042） and wild-type A. thaliana seedlings as experimental materials, target genes regulated by heat shock factor AtHsfAla were screened by microarray assay. Differentially expressed genes were screened by multiple method. Specific functions of differentially expressed genes were analyzed by gene ontology （GO） analysis. Signal transduction pathways, in which differentia｜ly expressed genes were involved, were analyzed by pathway analysis. Gene-gene interaction network was constructed by Signal-Net. [ Result] A total of 3 672 differentially expressed genes were screened out. Up-regulated differentially expressed genes were involved in 198 functions and 7 signal transduction pathways; down-regulated differentially expressed genes were involved in 94 functions and 10 signal transduction pathways. In the signal transduction network, it was found that cwlNV4 and HXK3 had relatively high ability of mediation; AT1 G14240 and cwlNV4 ex- hibited the most interactions with other genes, which were located in key positions throughout the gene-gene interaction network. [ Conclusion] Heat shock factor AtHsfAla regulates a large number of target genes in A. thaliana.

Construction of Plant Expression Vector of Heat Shock Factor Gene AtHsfA1a from Arabidopsis

[ Objective ] Heat shock factors （HSFs） are the major transcription factors of eukaryotic heat shock responses. This study aims to investigate the adversity stress tolerance functions of Arabidopsis heat shock factor AtHsfAla, which has important significance for in-depth understanding of adversity stress tolerance mechanisms of plants and further utilization of heat shock factor genes. [Method] Genomic DNA of Arabidopsis was extracted with CTAB method and purified to obtain Arabidopsis DNA samples for in vitro site-specific recombination cloning （ Gateway cloning） to construct plant expression vector of heat shock factor AtHs- fAla. Firstly, donor vector pDONR 201/AtHsfAla was constructed based on attB and attP site-specific recombination method （BP reaction）, to identify E. coli transformants harboring correct sequence of AtHsfAla by sequencing; secondly, plant expression vector pBTWG2/AttlsfAla overexpressing Arabidopsis heat shock factor AtHsfAla was constructed based on attL and attR site-specific recombination method （LR reaction）, to screen E. coli transformants harboring target plasmid. [ Result] Plant expression vector of Arabidopsis heat shock factor gene AtHsfAla was constructed successfully. [ Conclusion] This study not only provided experimental materials for acquiring transgenic plants overexpressing heat shock transcription factor AtHsfAla, but also laid the foundation for further investigation of the diversity of adversity stress tolerance functions reanlated by HSFs.

Effects of Heat Shock Factor AtHsfA1a on Programmed Cell Death in Arabidopsis thaliana under Cold Stress

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of heat shock factor AtHsfAla on programmed cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana under cold stress. [ Method] AtHsfAla-silenced transgenic （NT） and wild-type （WT） A. thaliana seedlings were used as experimental materials to induce the formation of callus; the callus were cultured to single cells by suspension culture, subjected to cold stress, stained with DAPI, prepared into cell smears and observed under a fluorescence microscope. [ Result] Under cold stress, cell nucleus of wild-type A. thaliana displayed morphological changes, but no apoptotic bodies were found; apoptotic bodies were observed in AtHsfAla-silenced transgenic A. thaliana cells, and the cytoplasm was remarkably concentrated. [ Conclusion] Under cold stress, heat shock factor AtHsfAla exerted inhibitory effects on programmed cell death in A. thaliana, which was of great significance for clarifying the mechanism of stress responses in plants.