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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model System to Study Protein Homeostasis in a Multicellular Organism
Published on: December 18, 2013
Interaction of stressors and the limits of cellular homeostasis
1Technische Universität Dresden, Institut für Zoologie, Dresden, D-01062, Germany. Herwig.Gutzeit@mailbox.tu-dresden.de
Abstract:
The cellular stress response which can be elicited by a variety of physical or chemical stressors challenges the homeostatic mechanisms of the cells. Two stressors may interact such that, for example, in the presence of a defined thermal stress ("costress") a second weak stressor like electromagnetic fields (50 MHz, 100 microT) produces strong biological effects. Based on the apparent interaction of these stressors a concept is suggested that explains the observed effects and defines the limits of cellular homeostasis in general terms. The homeostatic potential of a cell and hence the ability to cope with stressors can be altered by eliciting or depressing the heat shock response. This manipulation has several promising medical applications.
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