A comprehensive analysis of heat shock protein synthesis in human peripheral lymphocytes: the effect of penicillin/streptomycin

A reliable experimental procedure is described for the simultaneous charact erisation of a comprehensive range of heat shock proteins (hsps) in human p eripheral lymphocytes. In this system, a mild heat shock from 37 to 42 degr ees C for 1 h induced the synthesis of hsps 105, 90, 70, 60, 57, 47, 40, 27 and 16. Densitometric analyses of (35)[S]-methionine labelled protein gels indicated that levels of these hsps peaked at 3 to 4 h, following post-hea t shock recovery at 37 degrees C. The presence of penicillin and streptomyc in in the cell culture medium, appeared to have little effect on the kineti cs of hsp synthesis. The present method can be used for relatively small bl ood samples and its relative ease of application and reproducibility make i t appropriate for screening the expression of hsps in human lymphocytes fro m a range of individuals. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.