Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs): Biological Functions and Mechanisms of Actions
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 69
Special Issue Editors
Interests: heat shock proteins (HSPs); cardiovascular disease; heart failure
Interests: cell stress and chaperones; heat shock proteins; cancer; malaria
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a diverse group of proteins that are ubiquitously expressed under normal physiological conditions to perform a range of cellular functions that maintain regular protein metabolism. They act as molecular chaperones and participate in the folding of new proteins, refolding and repair, the assembly of complex molecules, and the degradation of misfolded proteins. Furthermore, they play a role in cell signalling, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis regulation. Under conditions of stress, the expression of these proteins is rapidly upregulated to protect the cell from various kinds of damage. HSPs are classified based on molecular weight and function. Popular examples of higher-molecular-weight species are HSP110, HSP90, HSP70, HSP60, and HSP40. After the initial detection of their role in the activation of gamma-delta T-lymphocytes in extracellular spaces, their participation in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders; diabetes; cancer; cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, pancreatic, and renal disorders; and cachexia is becoming clearer with emerging research. Here, a deep understanding of the mechanisms by which HSPs contribute to the pathogenesis of various diseases can open up new potential areas in diagnosis and therapies. At the current level of research, there are still large gaps in knowledge in this area.The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an overview of the current knowledge of the biological functions of HSPs, their role in different physiological and disease states, and the mechanisms of action of HSPs. We seek to publish new research findings, to identify existing gaps in knowledge, and lastly to provide insights for future research and developments in this fascinating field.
Dr. Soumya Patnaik
Prof. Dr. Gregory Blatch
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- heat shock proteins
- apoptosis
- immune cell activation
- stress responses
- misfolded proteins
- cellular chaperones
- cell signaling
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