phenotype of trout heart was induced by 4-wk acclimation at 4°C and was characterized by 32.7% increase in relative heart mass and 49.8% increase in ventricular myocyte size compared with warm-acclimated (WA; 18°C) fish (P Ͻ 0.001). Effect of temperature acclimation on transcriptome of the rainbow trout heart was examined using speciesspecific microarray chips containing 1,380 genes. After 4 wk of temperature acclimation, 8.8% (122) of the genes were differently expressed in CA and WA hearts, and most of them (82%) were upregulated in the cold (P Ͻ 0.01). Transcripts of genes engaged in protein synthesis and intermediary metabolism were most strongly upregulated, whereas genes contributing to the connective tissue matrix were clearly repressed. Extensive upregulation of the genes coding for ribosomal proteins and translation elongation and initiation factors suggest that the protein synthesis machinery of the trout heart is enhanced in the cold and is an essential part of the compensatory mechanism causing and maintaining the hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes. The prominent depression of collagen genes may be indicative of a reduced contribution of extracellular matrix to the remodeling of the CA fish heart. Temperature-related changes in transcripts of metabolic enzymes suggest that at mRNA level, glycolytic energy production from carbohydrates is compensated in the heart of CA rainbow trout, while metabolic compensation is absent in mitochondria. In addition, the analysis revealed three candidate genes: muscle LIM protein, atrial natriuretic peptide B, and myosin light chain 2, which might be central for induction and maintenance of the hypertrophic phenotype of the CA trout heart. These findings indicate that extensive modification of gene expression is needed to maintain the temperature-specific phenotype of the fish heart. gene expression; fish heart; temperature-induced hypertrophy PHYSIOLOGICAL PLASTICITY is needed to adapt body functions to changing environmental conditions and involves activation of proper genetic programs. Ectothermic animals of north-temperate latitudes experience large seasonal changes in temperature, which strongly affect the rate of body functions. To compensate for the effects of temperature changes, ectotherms can respond to chronic temperature changes by increasing the quantity of tissue or enzyme needed for different physiological tasks, or by expressing proteins isoforms that are more appropriate for the new thermal conditions (16,19,21). On the other hand, proteins which are needed in lesser amounts in the new thermal regime could be depressed or downregulated. Although expression of proteins can be changed by multiple mechanisms during synthesis and degradation, temperaturedependent changes in transcription of genes are one of the key events in modifying the proteome of the tissues (16, 37).Circulatory system integrates different body functions through the transport of material and humoral messages and serves the well being of all body cells by providing oxygen and fuels for e...