Heat Shock Response

Definition

Heat shock is induced by elevated temperature, as well as a variety of other cell stresses such as exposure to heavy metals, hypoxia and lack of glucose. Characteristic of the heat shock response is the induction of heat shock protein (hsp) expression. Heat shock proteins can prevent cell death. Many of the hsp family members are molecular chaperones, which are involved in protein folding and transport and the assembly of multiprotein complexes. During cell stress they protect proteins by being involved in protein repair and/or degradation of destroyed proteins through the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway.

HSF Protein Folding Translational Control in Eukaryotes Ubiquitin‐Proteasome Pathway