Molecular/cellular biology of the heat stress response and its role in agent-induced teratogenesis.
Available data indicate that heat shock proteins act as chaperones under non-stress conditions by assisting in: (1) the folding of newly synthesized proteins, (2) the intracellular translocation of proteins, and (3) the function of other proteins. As we gain additional information concerning cellular physiology, we may find that heat shock proteins play a key role in many additional cellular functions. When cells experience thermal or chemical stress, heat shock proteins take on a new role, conserved from bacteria to humans, of protecting cells from the detrimental effects of stress. This latter role takes on added significance for the embryo in which the developmental program must be read linearly, with little opportunity to cycle backward to complete a missed segment of the program. Although circumstantial evidence clearly implicates heat shock proteins in protecting embryos from thermal stress, definitive evidence is still lacking. The challenge for the future is to obtain such definitive data. Ideally, such information will lead to new therapeutic paradigms that will afford protection to the human embryo/fetus exposed to thermal/chemical stress.
Mirkes
P E
PE
Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA. pemst@u.washington.edu
D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000196:embryology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics*; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects; D051379:Mice; D017510:Protein Folding; D051381:Rats; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*
D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D013723:Teratogens