MAPKs and HSPs’ Activation of a Natural Daphnia magna Population in a Man-Perturbed Lake: Implications of Ecological Significance

Natural and anthropogenic pressures in inland waters induce molecular response mechanisms organisms as a defense against such multiple stressors. We studied, for the first time, expression of stress proteins, heat shock proteins (HSP) mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK), Daphnia magna natural population to environmental changes heavily modified water body (Lake Koronia, Northern Greece). In parallel, physicochemical parameters, nutrients’ concentration phytoplankton abundance were measured. Our results showed fluctuations proteins’ levels (HSP70, HSP90, phospho-p38 MAPK, phospho-p44/42 MAPK) providing evidence their situ. HSP70 an increasing tendency while no was recorded. The MAPKs’ members followed reverse pattern compared each other. differential HSP MAPK indicates that D. Lake Koronia experienced stressors temperature, salinity increased nutrient concentrations, high pH values variations triggered activation. These situ findings suggest patterns have potential be used biomarkers factors magna, effective biomonitoring setting ecological restoration targets.