Fig. 2. hsp70 expression at the different life cycle stages (I-V) of the tardigrade Milnesium tardigradum: (A) hsp70 isoform 1, (B) hsp70 isoform 2 and (C) hsp70 isoform 3. The mRNA copy number was calculated based on the beta-actin housekeeping gene as described in the Materials and methods. Relative expression levels refer to stage I=100%=1.0. Results are presented as means ± S.D. The stages are as follows: I, active before cryptobiosis; II, transitional before cryptobiosis; III, cryptobiotic; IV, transitional after cryptobiosis; V, active after cryptobiosis.