HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS (HSPs) - A MOLECULAR CHAPERONE FOR PLANT PROTECTION

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are the molecular chaperones that perform cellular responses to stress, maintain cell homeostasis and are responsible for folding of unfolded or denatured proteins caused during the stress. Plants are exposed to various stress factors such as drought, salinity, extreme high/low temperature and UV radiation. These factors cause damage to the plants and plant HSPs play an important role in combating environmental and pathogenic stresses. It also improves the stability of the membrane and scavenges the reactive oxygen species by activating scavenging enzymes. According to their molecular weight and based on their location, HSP is categorized into different subfamilies. Their function and role are discussed in the current review.