Effects of heat stress on the mRNA expression of Hsp 70 and Hsp 90 in white shrimp, Exopalaemon carinicauda

Exopalaemon carinicauda is an economic species which is frequently exposed to heat stress such as the thermal discharge from power stations. The mRNA expression of heat shock protein (HSP) families, HSP 70 and HSP 90, in E. carinicauda was investigated by real-time quantitative PCR following acute heat stress. HSP 70 mRNA expression levels increased at 2h, and then decreased till the end of the experiment when shrimps stressed by 19 °C, 23 °C and 27 °C. The HSP 90 mRNA expression levels decreased at 2h, and then increased till the end of the experiment when shrimps stressed by 19 °C, 23 °C and 27 °C. Differences between HSP 70 and HSP 90 mRNA expression of shrimp can present the different roles stressed by heat stress. Therefore, the mRNA expression of HSP 70 and HSP 90 could be developed as biomarkers to indicate heat stress in shrimp.