Heat-Shock Stress-Response Proteins in Endocrine Pathology

Heat-shock proteins (HSPs), also known as stress-response proteins, represent an evolutionarily conserved class of glycoproteins; members of this protein family are also known as "molecular chaperones." HSPs are constitutively expressed, and most are overproduced in response to a nonlethal thermal shock or other stressful conditions. They are implicated in several cell functions; they likely act in association with steroid receptors at the level of receptor-DNA interactions. Various types of HSPs have been found in endocrine glands, hormone-dependent tissues, and neoplasms. At present, their exact role remains obscure. HSPs may serve as tumor markers of prognostic significance; they may also have diagnostic and therapeutic uses.