ARS | Publication request: Responses of the Lichen Photobiont Trebouxia erici to Desiccation and Rehydration (II) Proteomics

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 16, 2008
Publication Date: July 13, 2008
Citation: Gasulla, F., Jain, R., Thelan, J., Barrano, E., Oliver, M.J. 2008. Responses of the Lichen Photobiont Trebouxia erici to Desiccation and Rehydration (II) Proteomics. International Association for Lichenology/American Bryological and Lichenological Society Joint Meeting, July 13-19, 2008, Monterey Peninsula, California. 2008 CDROM.

Technical Abstract: Lichen desiccation tolerance is associated with cellular protection mechanisms directed against the oxidative stress produced during dehydration and/or rehydration, however, these mechanisms are not well understood. In other poikilohydric organisms, changes in the synthesis of proteins have been implicated in recovery/repair mechanisms following rehydration. In this study we used an isolated strain of the desiccation-tolerant lichen phycobiont Trebouxia erici to analyze protein synthesis during dehydration and rehydration. We employed the strategy of 2-D Difference Gel Electrophoresis (DiGE) coupled with individual protein identification via trypsin digestion (from silver stained replicates) and LC-MS/MS. Two families of proteins increased in response to desiccation: heat shock proteins, HSP90s, that act as chaperones in the non-covalent folding/unfolding of proteins and the assembly/ disassembly of macromolecular structures; and beta-tubulins, cytoskeleton proteins whose synthesis could be important in the recovery of the normal cellular organization upon rehydration. Surprisingly, we detected no change in antioxidant enzyme levels.