| heat-shock gene | <molecular biology> A set of genes present in most animals which are transcribed suddenly, quickly, and with coordination when the animal is exposed to certain types of stress such as a sudden temperature increase. (09 Oct 1997) |
|---|---|
| heat-shock protein | <cell biology, molecular biology, protein> Families of proteins conserved through prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and bacteria in response to hyperthermia and other environmental stresses, although some are constitutively expressed. They increase thermal tolerance and perform functions essential to cell survival under these conditions. Some serve to stabilise proteins in abnormal configurations, play a role in folding and unfolding of proteins and the assembly of oligomeric complexes and may act as chaperonins. Hsp90 complexes with inactive steroid hormone receptor and is displaced upon ligand binding. Four major sub classes are recognised: hsp90, hsp70, hsp60 and small hsps. Hsps have been suggested to act as major immunogens in many infections. Acronym: HSP (12 Dec 1998) |
| heat-shock protein 27 kinase | <enzyme> Phosphorylates hsp 26 on serine residues when stimulated by tumour necrosis factor or interleukin 1 Registry number: EC 2.7.1.- Synonym: hsp 27 kinase, heat-shock protein 27 kinase, hsp27 kinase (26 Jun 1999) |
| heat-shock proteins 70 | <cell biology, protein> A class of molecular chaperones found in both prokaryotes and in several compartments of eukaryotic cells. There is evidence that these proteins can interact with polypeptides during a variety of assembly processes in such a way as to prevent the formation of nonfunctional structures. (12 Dec 1998) |
| heat-shock proteins 90 | <cell biology, protein> A class of molecular chaperones whose members act in the mechanism of signal transduction by steroid receptors. (12 Dec 1998) |
| heat-shock response | <cell biology> A constellation of responses that occur when an organism is exposed to excessive heat and other environmental stresses. Responses include synthesis of some proteins, repression of other proteins, and expression of new proteins. (12 Dec 1998) |
| heat-shock response element | <cell biology, protein> The nucleotide sequence, CNNGAANNTCCNG, which is in the promoter region of the heat-shock genes. When the animal is exposed to certain types of stress such as a sudden rise in temperature, the first thing that happens to activate these genes is the binding of the HSE by a transcriptional enhancer protein. (09 Oct 1997) |
| protein shock | The systemic reaction following the parenteral administration of a protein. (05 Mar 2000) |
| protein shock therapy | The injection of a foreign protein to induce fever as a means of treating certain diseases. Synonym: foreign protein therapy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pseudoanaphylactic shock | A reaction that is similar to anaphylactic shock, but which does not require the incubation period characteristic of induced sensitivity (anaphylaxis); it is unrelated to antigen-antibody reactions. Synonym: anaphylactoid crisis, pseudoanaphylactic shock. (05 Mar 2000) |
| high-energy shock waves | Compression waves of large amplitude, across which density, pressure, and particle velocity change drastically. (12 Dec 1998) |
| histamine shock | The shock state produced in animals by the injection of histamine; characterised by bronchiolar spasm in the guinea pig and constriction of hepatic veins in the dog. (05 Mar 2000) |
| septic shock | <microbiology> Condition of clinical shock caused by endotoxin in the blood. A serious complication of severe burns and abdominal wounds, frequently fatal. Part of the problem seems to be due to increased leucocyte adhesiveness, which leads to massive sequestration of neutrophils in the lung, increased vascular permeability and acute respiratory distress syndrome. (11 Jan 1998) |
| serum shock | Anaphylactic or anaphylactoid shock caused by the injection of antitoxic or other foreign serum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| shell shock | The World War I name for what is known today as posttraumatic stress, this is a psychological disorder that develops in some individuals who have had major traumatic experiences (and, for example, have been in a serious accident or through a war). The person is typically numb at first but later has symptoms including depression, excessive irritability, guilt (for having survived while others died), recurrent nightmares, flashbacks to the traumatic scene, and overreactions to sudden noises. Posttraumatic stress became known as such in the 70s due to the adjustment problems of some vietnam veterans. (12 Dec 1998) |