Heat Shock Proteins and Cell Thermotolerance

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In virtually all cells and organisms, mild heat shocks induce a tremendous increase in thermoresistance to subsequent hyperthermic exposures. A short exposure of cells to supraoptimal temperatures induces a severalfold transient increase in the subsequent ability of cells to tolerate heat treatments. Thermotolerance can be induced by minimally toxic treatments. Heat Shock Proteins (HSP) synthesis is certainly the most extensively documented cell activity taking place preferentially in thermotolerance-developing cells. Numerous studies performed at the cellular as well as at the molecular levels have provided strong circumstantial evidence that HSP may represent key molecules involved early in the processes associated with thermotolerance. A role for energy in thermosensitivity and thermotolerance is also well documented. Definite evidence for its involvement in the triggering process is still lacking. A schematic representation of a possible mechanism responsible for triggering HSP synthesis and thermotolerance development.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: