Abstract
Larvae of the sleeping chironomid (Polypedilum vanderplanki) exhibit a tolerance to near complete desiccation (anhydrobiosis). Previously, we have showed that desiccation of the larvae is tightly linked with over-expression of genes encoding stress-related proteins, such as HSP and LEA proteins, and a number of antioxidant proteins. In addition, there is a significant increase of ROS-scavenging capacity in the anhydrobiotic larvae, illustrating a connection between adaptation to oxidative stress and mechanisms of resistance to near complete desiccation. In order to elucidate genetic relationship between reaction of the larvae to oxidative stress and to desiccation, we have conducted wide mRNA transcription analysis of the larvae exposed to dehydration and treated with oxidative stress-generating chemical (paraquat). We found that a large number of desiccation-induced genes encoding proteins involved in cell protection, ROS stress response, and lipid synthesis were also up-regulated by treatment with paraquat. Our data suggest that oxidative stress is one of the factors defining desiccation-driven transcriptional response leading to successful anhydrobiosis.
