Heat shock protein

Heat shock proteins (HSP) are a family of proteins that are produced by cells in response to exposure to stressful conditions, including exposure to heat, cold, and UV light; infection; exercise; starvation; fasting ; and hypoxia. Heat shock proteins are classified by their molecular weight (e.g. hsp10, hsp40, hsp60, hsp70, ect).

Function
Heat shock proteins play the role of a chaperone for other proteins and significant part of the body's physiological stress response. HSPs are found in all cells of all organisms. These proteins also play a role in protecting from stress/apoptosis. More specifically they also inhibit protein degradation, and as a result they inhibit skeletal muscle atrophy. Certain HSPs appear play cytoprotective role in many human diseases, including ischemia, inflammation, and infection.

ME/CFS
A Canadian research team first reported a decrease of heat shock proteins in ME/CFS patients after an exercise challenge. Further study was done by a French team interested in increased oxidative stress in ME/CFS patients. In 2009 they reported a marked reduction of HSP 27 and HSP 70 variations in ME/CFS patients post-exercise, a reduction that was not seen in heathy controls. These results were confirmed in 2012, using a larger sample of 43 ME/CFS patients.

Hormesis
Heat shock proteins, have been shown to trigger hormesis in humans, and as a result mitochondrial biogenesis. Perhaps future treatments will incorporate either HSPs or other hormesis activating compounds, as a means to foster mitochondrial growth/repair.

Learn more

 * Scientific American - Roles of Heat Shock Proteins