Environmental stress-related gene expression and blood physiological responses in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) exposed to osmotic and thermal stress

We isolated warm temperature acclimation-related protein 65-kDa (Wap65) cDNA from the liver of olive flounder and investigated the mRNA expression of Wap65 and HSP70 in olive flounder exposed to osmotic (17.5, 8.75, and 4 psu) and thermal stress (25 and 30 degrees C). The mRNA expression of Wap65 and HSP70 was increased by thermal stress. The mRNA expression of HSP70 was also increased by osmotic stress, whereas no significant change in Wap65 expression was detected. These results indicate that Wap65 mRNA expression occurs specifically in response to increases in water temperature, but not in response to osmotic stress. Plasma cortisol levels were also increased by osmotic and thermal stress. We also utilized the stress hormone cortisol to examine whether Wap65 expression is thermal-stress-specific. Cortisol treatment increased HSP70 mRNA expression in vitro, but had no significant effect on Wap65 mRNA expression. Thus, thermal stress, but not osmotic stress, induces Wap65 expression.