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Molecular approaches for improving desiccation tolerance: insights from the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana

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Abstract

Main conclusion

We have evaluated the endogenous expression and molecular properties of selected Group 3 LEA proteins from Artemia franciscana , and the capacity of selected Groups 1 and 3 proteins transfected into various desiccation-sensitive cell lines to improve tolerance to drying.

Organisms inhabiting both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems frequently are confronted with the problem of water loss for multiple reasons—exposure to hypersalinity, evaporative water loss, and restriction of intracellular water due to freezing of extracellular fluids. Seasonal desiccation can become severe and lead to the production of tolerant propagules and entry into the state of anhydrobiosis at various stages of the life cycle. Such is the case for gastrula-stage embryos of the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana. Physiological and biochemical responses to desiccation are central for survival and are multifaceted. This review will evaluate the impact of multiple late embryogenesis abundant proteins originating from A. franciscana, together with the non-reducing sugar trehalose, on prevention of desiccation damage at multiple levels of biological organization. Survivorship of desiccation-sensitive cells during water stress can be improved by use of the above protective agents, coupled to metabolic preconditioning and rapid cell drying. However, obtaining long-term stability of cells in the dried state at room temperature has not been accomplished and will require continued efforts on both the physicochemical and biological fronts.

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Abbreviations

LEA:

Late embryogenesis abundant

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

T g :

Glass transition temperature

GFP:

Green fluorescent protein

TFE:

Trifluoroethanol

PFK:

Phosphofructokinase

CS:

Citrate synthase

LDH:

Lactate dehydrogenase

AMPK:

AMP activated protein kinase

AICAR:

5-Amino-4-imidazole carboxamide ribonucleoside

ZMP:

5-Amino-4-imidazole carboxamide ribonucleoside monophosphate

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the National Science Foundation (Grants IOS-0920254 and IOS-1457061/IOS-1456809) and the National Institutes of Health (Grant 2R01 DK046270-14A1) for support of our ongoing work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cellular, Developmental and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Steven C. Hand

  2. Department of Biological Science, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL, 61920, USA

    Michael A. Menze

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  1. Steven C. Hand
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  2. Michael A. Menze
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Correspondence to Steven C. Hand.

Additional information

Special topic: Desiccation Biology. Guest editors: Olivier Leprince and Julia Buitink.

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Hand, S.C., Menze, M.A. Molecular approaches for improving desiccation tolerance: insights from the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana . Planta 242, 379–388 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-015-2281-9

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