During the spring of 1999, two species of iguanid lizards were captured in southern Baja California peninsula, Mexico. Blood was obtained from the tail to check for the presence of blood parasites in smears and stress proteins in cells. Levels of HSP70- and HSP60-like proteins from Sceloporus licki Van Denburgh, 1895 and Petrosaurus thalassinus (Cope, 1863) were analyzed with Western blot using antisera to human HSP60 and bovine HSP70. The potential effects of sex, tail regeneration, and haemoparasites on the expression of these proteins were also investigated. Both species differ significantly in stress protein levels and infection by haemoparasites. Petrosaurus thalassinus show the lower stress protein levels and the higher proportion of infection. Although blood parasites apparently affect the condition of P. thalassinus, stress protein levels are not significantly related with haemoparasites or condition. However, S. licki lizards showing tail regeneration have lower levels of HSP60-like protein. A negative relationship exists between the length of the regenerated part of the tail and the level of HSP60-like protein for S. licki. Based on what is known of the function of HSP60, down-regulation of the protein in blood cells may be linked to reallocation of energies to other tissues more active metabolically.
Antibodies to Human HSP60 in Patients with Juvenile Chronic Arthritis, Diabetes Mellitus, and Cystic Fibrosis