HEAT-SHOCK PROTEINS AND HEAT ADAPTATION OF THE WHOLE ORGANISM

Adaptation to heat may occur through acclimatization or thermotoleranc e; however, the linkage of these phenomena is poorly understood. The i mportance of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in thermotolerance and differe nces in their accumulation in organisms adapted to the heat suggest a role for HSPs in acclimatization as well. The role of HSPs in heat ada ptation of the whole organism and the interrelationships among heat ad aptation, endotoxin tolerance, and cytokine resistance through HSPs ar e reviewed.