A family of highly-conserved proteins that are synthesized in response to hyperthermia (heat shock), hypoxia, or other stresses that appear to increase cellular thermal tolerance and enable cells to recover from stress. Some heat shock proteins may protect other proteins from denaturation, degradation or perform functions essential to cell survival under these conditions.
Synonyms: HSP Heat Shock Proteins heat-shock protein stress protein Heat Shock Protein
Term information
One of a group of proteins that help protect cells from stresses such as heat, cold, and low amounts of oxygen or glucose (sugar). Heat-shock proteins help other proteins function in normal cells and may be present at high levels in cancer cells. Blocking the activity of a heat-shock protein called HSP90 is being studied in the treatment of cancer. Other heat-shock proteins including HSP70 and gp96 are being studied in vaccines to treat cancer.