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Heat Shock Protein Response

Meaning

The Heat Shock Protein Response is a fundamental cellular defense mechanism characterized by the rapid synthesis of a family of highly conserved proteins, known as Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs), in response to various cellular stressors, particularly elevated temperature. These proteins function as molecular chaperones, preventing the misfolding and aggregation of other proteins and assisting in the repair or degradation of damaged cellular components. Activating this response is a key strategy for enhancing cellular resilience and proteostasis.