heat shock protein
noun
variants
or heat-shock protein
plural heat shock proteins or heat-shock proteins
: any of a group of molecular chaperones (see chaperone entry 1 sense 3) that are produced especially in cells subjected to stressful conditions (such as high temperature) and that serve to stabilize proteins and ensure proper assembly and folding of proteins
Examples of heat shock protein in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Scientists told Whitney that the high levels of heat shock proteins in his brain might be the result of his life experience.
—
Jon Hamilton, NPR, 12 Feb. 2025
But they are intrigued by the high levels of heat shock proteins in Whitney's brain.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 12 Feb. 2025
Intense exercise or heat exposure can be stressful for the body, eliciting an inflammatory response via the release of heat shock proteins.
—Sarah Lacy, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023
Lowers Your Risk for Diabetes Heat exposure triggers the body’s heat shock proteins, which offers many benefits, including improving plasma volume.
—Erica Sweeney, Men's Health, 8 June 2023
The platelet protein with the largest disparity between active and hibernating bears was heat shock protein 47 (HSP47).
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2023
One of the most colorful examples is heat-shock protein in dromedary camels, which play a role in homeostasis and heat tolerance.
—Corinne Purtillstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2022
Diminished expression of heat-shock protein genes in humans could raise the risk of illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, in which the misfolding of proteins is implicated, the researchers report in their paper.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 22 Mar. 2022
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Jon Hamilton, NPR, 12 Feb. 2025
But they are intrigued by the high levels of heat shock proteins in Whitney's brain.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 12 Feb. 2025
Intense exercise or heat exposure can be stressful for the body, eliciting an inflammatory response via the release of heat shock proteins.
—Sarah Lacy, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023
Lowers Your Risk for Diabetes Heat exposure triggers the body’s heat shock proteins, which offers many benefits, including improving plasma volume.
—Erica Sweeney, Men's Health, 8 June 2023
The platelet protein with the largest disparity between active and hibernating bears was heat shock protein 47 (HSP47).
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2023
One of the most colorful examples is heat-shock protein in dromedary camels, which play a role in homeostasis and heat tolerance.
—Corinne Purtillstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2022
Diminished expression of heat-shock protein genes in humans could raise the risk of illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, in which the misfolding of proteins is implicated, the researchers report in their paper.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 22 Mar. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Heat shock protein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20shock%20protein. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
heat shock protein
noun
variants
or heat-shock protein
: any of a group of molecular chaperones that are produced especially in cells subjected to stressful conditions (such as high temperature or changes in pH) and that serve to stabilize proteins and ensure proper assembly and folding of proteins
Normally, heat-shock proteins protect other proteins inside a cell from being damaged by extreme heat or other stress.—Nathan Seppa, Science News
Nathan Seppa, Science NewsLove words? Need even more definitions?
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