Variations in the content of stress proteins in the needles of common pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) within an annual cycle

This investigation has focused on the content of heat shock proteins (Hsps) and dehydrins (dhn) in the needles of Pinus sylvestris L. (common pine) depending on environmental conditions and on adaptation of photosynthetic activity. Unlike the case of photosynthetic activity, no relationships have been revealed between variations in environmental conditions over 2 years of observations and variations in Hsps content. It has been discovered that constitutive and stress forms of Hsp70, Hsp60 and dhn are accumulated in the cold season of the year, whereas for Hsp17.6 and Hsp101 this accumulation occurs in the warm season. Seasonal air temperature variations influenced the content of Hsps; variations of temperature and moisture conditions influenced the content of dhn. The supposition is made that accumulation of Hsp70, Hsp60 and dhn in the needles may be the factor and/or the marker of the autumn and spring adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus, while accumulation of Hsp17.6 and Hsp101 is the marker of summer heat adaptation.