COLD SHOCK AND ADAPTATION

Adaptation to environmental stresses, such as temperature fluctuation, is essential for the survival of all living organisms. Cellular respo nses in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes to high temperature include th e synthesis of a set of highly conserved proteins known as the heat sh ock proteins. In contrast to the heal shock response, adaptation to lo w temperatures has not been as extensively studied. However, a family of cold-inducible proteins is evident in prokaryotes. In addition, mos t organisms have developed adaptive mechanisms that alter both membran e fluidity and the protein translation machinery at low temperature. T his review addresses the different adaptive mechanisms used by a varie ty of organisms with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of cold adapt ation that have recently been identified during the cold shock respons e in Escherichia coli. (C) 1998 John Wiley a Sons, Inc.