Induction of heat shock proteins in Chinese hamster ovary cells and development of thermotolerance by intermediate concentrations of puromycin

During 4 hr after puromycin (PUR: 20 micrograms/ml) treatment, the synthesis of three major heat shock protein families (HSPs: Mr = 110,000, 87,000, and 70,000) was enhanced 1.5-fold relative to that of untreated cells, as studied by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The increase of unique HSPs, if studied with two-dimensional gels, would probably be much greater. In parallel, thermotolerance was observed at 10(-3) isosurvival as a thermotolerance ratio (TTR) of either 2 or greater than 5 after heating at either 45.5 degrees C or 43 degrees C, respectively. However, thermotolerance was induced by only intermediate concentrations (3-30 micrograms/ml) of puromycin that inhibited protein synthesis by 15-80%; a high concentration of PUR (100 micrograms/ml) that inhibited protein synthesis by 95% did not induce either HSPs or thermotolerance. Also, thermotolerance was never induced by any concentration (0.01-10 micrograms/ml) of cycloheximide that inhibited protein synthesis by 5-94%. Furthermore, after PUR (20 micrograms/ml) treatment, the addition of cycloheximide (CHM: 10 micrograms/ml), at a concentration that reduces protein synthesis by 94%, inhibited both thermotolerance and synthesis of HSP families. Thus, thermotolerance induced by intermediate concentrations of PUR correlated with an increase in newly synthesized HSP families. This thermotolerance phenomenon was compared with another phenomenon termed heat resistance and observed when cells were heated at 43 degrees C in the presence of CHM or PUR immediately after a 2-hr pretreatment with CHM or PUR. Heat protection increased with inhibition of synthesis of both total protein and HSP families. Moreover, this heat protection decayed rapidly as the interval between pretreatment and heating increased to 1-2 hr, and did not have any obvious relationship to the synthesis of HSP families. Therefore, there are two distinctly different pathways for developing thermal resistance. The first is thermotolerance after intermediate concentrations of PUR treatment, and it requires incubation after treatment and apparently the synthesis of HSP families. The second is resistance to heat after CHM or PUR treatment immediately before and during heating at 43 degrees C, and it apparently does not require synthesis of HSP families. This second pathway not requiring the synthesis of HSP families also was observed by the increase in thermotolerance at 45.5 degrees C caused by heating at 43 degrees C after cells were incubated for 2-4 hr following pretreatment with an intermediate concentration of PUR.     

Interferon pretreatment lowers the threshold for maximal heat-shock response in mouse cells

Interferons (IFNs) are proteins which have antiviral and antiproliferative properties and are known to affect various immunological processes. Some of these activities have been shown to be potentiated by increased temperatures. When cells are subjected to a rise in temperature, the synthesis of the heat-shock proteins (HSPs) is 'switched on.' In this report we demonstrate a synergistic effect of IFN and stress (arsenite treatment or elevated temperature) on the heat-shock response. On the one hand, IFN pretreatment enhances the accumulation of HSP mRNAs and the corresponding protein synthesis after a mild stress and, on the other hand, it amplifies the decrease of the total protein synthesis after a severe stress. Thus in IFN pretreated cells the range of temperatures leading to the heat-shock response is shifted towards common physiological values.     

Induction of acquired thermotolerance in Tetrahymena thermophila: effects of protein synthesis inhibitors.

When Tetrahymena thermophila cells growing at 30 degrees C are shifted to either 40 or 43 degrees C, the kinetics and extent of induction of heat shock mRNAs in both cases are virtually indistinguishable. However, the cells shifted to 40 degrees C show a typical induction of heat shock protein (HSP) synthesis and survive indefinitely (100% after 24 h), whereas those at 43 degrees C show an abortive synthesis of HSPs and die (less than 0.01% survivors) within 1 h. Cells treated at 30 degrees C with the drugs cycloheximide or emetine, at concentrations which are initially inhibitory to protein synthesis and cell growth but from which cells can eventually recover and resume growth, are after this recovery able to survive a direct shift from 30 to 43 degrees C (ca. 70% survival after 1 h). This induction of thermotolerance by these drugs is as efficient in providing thermoprotection to cells as is a prior sublethal heat treatment which elicits the synthesis of HSPs. However, during the period when drug-treated cells recover their protein synthesis ability and simultaneously acquire the ability to subsequently survive a shift to 43 degrees C, none of the major HSPs are synthesized. The ability to survive a 1-h, 43 degrees C heat treatment, therefore, does not absolutely require the prior synthesis of HSPs. But, as extended survival at 43 degrees Celsius depends absolutely on the ability of cells to continually synthesize HSPs, it appears that a prior heat shock as well as the recovery from protein synthesis inhibition elicits a change in the protein synthetic machinery which allows the translation of HSP mRNAs at what would otherwise be a nonpermissive temperature for protein synthesis.     

Enhanced expression of heat shock protein and mRNA synthesis by type I interferon in human HL-60 leukemic cells

The effects of IFN and mild hyperthermia on the responses of human promyelocytic HL-60 cells were investigated. Cells subjected to an elevated culture temperature (39.5 degrees-40.5 degrees C instead of 37 degrees C, herein referred to as heat-treated cells) showed an increase in heat shock proteins (HSPs) and corresponding mRNA synthesis, which were additionally potentiated by the presence of IFN. With cells cultured at 37 degrees C, IFN had no effect on HSP expression. The observed inhibition (40-70%) of RNA polymerase II-directed RNA synthesis (based on alpha-amanitin sensitivity) in isolated nuclei of heat-treated cells was also significantly reversed by the simultaneous addition of IFN. These data suggest that the IFN-amplified HSP gene expression may be involved in preventing irreversible damage or in fine tuning the recovery of mammalian cells from heat stress.     

Secretion of the heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSC70 by baby hamster kidney (BHK‐21) cells

The HSPs (heat‐shock proteins) of the 70‐kDa family, the constitutively expressed HSC70 (cognate 70‐kDa heat‐shock protein) and the stress‐inducible HSP70 (stress‐inducible 70‐kDa heat‐shock protein), have been reported to be actively secreted by various cell types. The mechanisms of the release of these HSPs are obscure, since they possess no consensus secretory signal sequence. We showed that baby hamster kidney (BHK‐21) cells released HSP70 and HSC70 in a serum‐free medium and that this process was the result of an active secretion of HSPs rather than the non‐specific release of the proteins due to cell death. It was found that the secretion of HSP70 and HSC70 is independent of de novo protein synthesis. BFA (Brefeldin A) did not inhibit the basal secretion of HSPs, indicating that the secretion of HSP70 and HSC70 from cells occurs by a non‐classical pathway. Exosomes did not contribute to the secretion of HSP70 and HSC70 by cells. MBC (methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin), a substance that disrupts the lipid raft organization, considerably reduced the secretion of both HSPs, indicating that lipid rafts are involved in the secretion of HSP70 and HSC70 by BHK‐21 cells. The results suggest that HSP70 and HSC70 are actively secreted by BHK‐21 cells in a serum‐free medium through a non‐classical pathway in which lipid rafts play an important role.     

Altered synthesis of the 26-kDa heat stress protein family and thermotolerance in cell lines with elevated levels of calcium-binding proteins

Using a bovine papilloma virus-based vector, mouse mammary adenocarcinoma cells have been transformed to express elevated amounts of functional calmodulin (CaM) (Rasmussen and Means, 1987) and another Ca2(+)-binding protein, parvalbumin (PV) (Rasmussen and Means, 1989) that is not normally synthesized in these cells. Parental cells (C127) and cells transformed by the vector alone (BPV-1), the vector containing a CaM gene (CM-1), or the vector containing parvalbumin (PV-1) were used to study the effect of increased synthesis of Ca2(+)-binding proteins on heat-stress protein (HSP) synthesis and cell survival following heating at 43 degrees C. The induction, stability, and repression of the synthesis of most HSPs after 43 degrees C heating was not significantly affected by increased amounts of Ca2(+)-binding proteins, but the rate of synthesis of all three isoforms of the 26-kDa HSP (HSP26) was greatly reduced. C127 cells, which have about one half as much CaM as do BPV-1 cells, synthesized the most HSP26. CM-1 cells, which have more than fourfold higher levels of CaM than do BPV-1 cells, had a rate of synthesis of HSP26 approaching that of unheated cells. BPV-1 cells, with a two-fold increase in CaM, were intermediate in HSP26 synthesis. This effect on HSP26 synthesis may be largely related to the Ca2(+)-binding capacity of CaM rather than to a specific CaM-regulated function, since PV-1 cells also showed reduced rates of HSP26 synthesis. Survival experiments showed that reduced HSP26 synthesis in cells with increased amounts of Ca2(+)-binding proteins did not significantly alter intrinsic resistance to continuous 43 degrees C heating. Thermotolerance was not reduced and appeared to develop more rapidly in CM-1 and PV-1 cells. These results suggest that (1) the signal for HSP26 synthesis can be largely abrogated by elevated Ca2+ binding protein levels, and (2) if these HSPs are involved in thermotolerance development, that function may be associated with intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis.     

Heat shock gene expression in Xenopus laevis A6 cells in response to heat shock and sodium arsenite treatments

Continuous exposure of a Xenopus laevis kidney epithelial cell line, A6, to either heat shock (33 degrees C) or sodium arsenite (50 microM) resulted in transient but markedly different temporal patterns of heat-shock protein (HSP) synthesis and HSP 70 and 30 mRNA accumulation. Heat-shock-induced synthesis of HSPs was detectable within 1 h and reached maximum levels by 2-3 h. While sodium arsenite induced the synthesis of some HSPs within 1 h, maximal HSP synthesis did not occur until 12 h. The pattern of HSP 70 and 30 mRNA accumulation was similar to the response observed at the protein level. During recovery from heat shock, a coordinate decline in HSPs and HSP 70 and 30 mRNA was observed. During recovery from sodium arsenite, a similar phenomenon occurred during the initial stages. However, after 6 h of recovery, HSP 70 mRNA levels persisted in contrast to the declining HSP 30 mRNA levels. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of 5 HSPs in the HSP 70 family, of which two were constitutive, and 16 different stress-inducible proteins in the HSP 30 family. In conclusion, heat shock and sodium arsenite induce a similar set of HSPs but maximum synthesis of the HSP is temporally separated by 12-24 h.     

Protection of Chinese hamster ovary cells from heat killing by treatment with cycloheximide or puromycin: involvement of HSPs?

Cycloheximide (CHM) or puromycin (PUR) added for 2 h before heating at 43 degrees C followed by either PUR or CHM during heat greatly protected cells from heat killing. This protection increased with inhibition of protein synthesis. Since treatment with a drug both before and during heating was required for heat protection, and since one drug could be exchanged for the other after the 2-h pretreatment without affecting the heat protection, a common mode of action involving inhibition of protein synthesis is suggested for the two drugs. Drug treatment reduced the synthesis of heat-shock proteins (HSPs) as studied by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis by 80-98% relative to 37 degrees C untreated controls. Synthesis of large molecules (greater than 30 kDa) was preferentially inhibited by PUR but not by CHM. Also for CHM, but not for PUR treatment, a 42 kDa band appeared along with a great reduction in the 43 kDa actin band during CHM treatment at both 37 and 43 degrees C. Furthermore, during CHM or PUR treatment, incorporation of [35S]methionine into HSP families 70, 87, or 110 was not increased relative to incorporation into total protein. However, synthesis of the 70 kDa HSP family was selectively suppressed when cells were incubated at 37 degrees C after CHM treatment, but when cells were incubated at 37 degrees C after treatment at 43 degrees C with CHM, synthesis of the 70 kDa HSP family resumed. When cells were labeled for 3 days, there was no preferential accumulation or turnover of HSP families during heating with or without CHM. Therefore, heat protection caused by treatment with CHM or PUR apparently involves a common mode of action not associated with changes in either total levels or synthesis of HSP families during drug treatment before and during heating. The significance of the changes observed in the synthesis of the HSP 70 family after heat is unknown. As thermotolerance developed during 5 h at 42 degrees C without drugs, synthesis of HSP families 70, 87, and 110, as studied with one-dimensional gels, increased 1.4-fold relative to synthesis of total protein, but compared to HSP families in cells labeled for 5 h at 37 degrees C incorporation was reduced by 40%. The increase of unique HSPs, if studied with two-dimensional gels, would probably be much greater.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Preferential translation of heat shock mRNAs in HeLa cells deficient in protein synthesis initiation factors eIF-4E and eIF-4 gamma.

Expression of antisense RNA against eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF-4E) in HeLa cells causes a reduction in the levels of both eIF-4E and eIF-4 gamma (p220) and a concomitant decrease in the rates of both cell growth and protein synthesis (De Benedetti, A., Joshi-Barve, S., Rinker-Schaffer, C., and Rhoads, R. E. (1991) Mol. Cell Biol. 11, 5435-5445). The synthesis of most proteins in the antisense RNA-expressing cells (AS cells) is decreased, but certain proteins continue to be synthesized. In the present study, we identified many of these as stress-inducible or heat shock proteins (HSPs). By mobilities on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by reactivity with monoclonal antibodies generated against human HSPs, four of these were shown to be HSP 90, HSP 70, HSP 65, and HSP 27. The steady-state levels of HSP 90, 70, and 27 were elevated in relation to total protein in AS cells. Pulse labeling and immunoprecipitation indicated that HSP 90 and HSP 70 were synthesized more rapidly in AS cells than in control cells. The accelerated synthesis of HSPs in the AS cells was not due, however, to increased mRNA levels; the levels of HSP 90 and 70 mRNAs either remained the same or decreased after induction of antisense RNA expression. Actin mRNA, a typical cellular mRNA, was found on high polysomes in control cells but shifted to smaller polysomes in AS cells, as expected from the general decrease in translational initiation caused by eIF-4E and eIF-4 gamma depletion. HSP 90 and 70 mRNAs showed the opposite behavior; they were associated with small polysomes in control cells but shifted to higher polysomes in AS cells. These results demonstrate that HSP mRNAs have little or no requirement in vivo for the cap-recognition machinery and suggest that these mRNAs may utilize an alternative, cap-independent mechanism of translational initiation.     

Down-regulated reactive oxygen species by HSP90 in 3HK-induced SKN-SH cell death

In this present study, we show that 3HK induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and after caspase activation lead to apoptotic cell death. Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an effective antioxidant, significantly attenuated 3HK-induced apoptosis by way of a reduction of ROS accumulation and caspase activity. SKN-SN cells were protected from 3HK-induced cytotoxicity by heat shock protein (HSP). HSP effectively attenuated 3HK-mediated ROS accumulation and apoptosis. In addition, the protective effect of HSP90 was abolished by pretreatment with HSP90 anti-sense oligonucleotides, but not when pretreated with anti-senses for other HSPs. These results suggest that HSP90 protects SKN-SH cells from 3HK-induced cytotoxicity by reducing ROS levels and caspase activity.     

Identification of members of the HSP30 small heat shock protein family and characterization of their developmental regulation in heat-shocked xenopus laevis embryos

In the present study we have characterized the synthesis of members of the HSP30 family during Xenopus laevis development using a polyclonal antipeptide antibody derived from the carboxyl end of HSP30C. Two-dimensional PAGE/immunoblot analysis was unable to detect any heat-inducible small HSPs in cleavage, blastula, gastrula, or neurula stage embryos. However, heat-inducible accumulation of a single protein was first detectable in early tailbud embryos with an additional 5 HSPs at the late tailbud stage and a total of 13 small HSPs at the early tadpole stage. In the Xenopus A6 kidney epithelial cell line, a total of eight heat-inducible small HSPs were detected by this antibody. Comparison of the pattern of protein synthesis in embryos and somatic cells revealed a number of common and unique heat inducible proteins in Xenopus embryos and cultured kidney epithelial cells. To specifically identify the protein product of the HSP30C gene, we made a chimeric gene construct with the Xenopus HSP30C coding sequence under the control of a constitutive promoter. This construct was microinjected into fertilized eggs and resulted in the premature and constitutive synthesis of the HSP30C protein in gastrula stage embryos. Through a series of mixing experiments, we were able to specifically identify the protein encoded by the HSP30C gene in embryos and somatic cells and to conclude that HSP30C synthesis was first heat-inducible at the early tailbud stage of development. The differential pattern of heat-inducible accumulation of members of the HSP30 family during Xenopus development suggests that these proteins may have distinct functions at specific embryonic stages during a stress response.     

Heat shock induced changes in the gene expression of terminally differentiating avian red blood cells

Reticulocytes, purified from the blood of quail and chickens recovering from anaemia, respond to heat shock by the new and (or) enhanced synthesis of heat-shock protein (HSPs) with relative molecular masses of greater than 400,000, 90,000, 70,000, and 26,000 (quail) or 24,000 (chicken) and the depressed synthesis of many proteins normally produced at a control temperature. The synthesis of these HSPs is noncoordinate since the expression of each protein depends upon the particular temperature and duration of the time at that temperature. Separation of proteins from quail reticulocytes into Triton X-100 soluble and insoluble fractions demonstrates that the 70,000 and 26,000 Da HSPs are found in both fractions, whereas the greater than 400,000 and 90,000 Da HSPs are located only in the detergent-soluble fraction. Triton X-100 fractionation also reveals that there are three isoelectric variants of the 70,000 Da HSP and that they are constitutively synthesized and selectively partitioned between cellular compartments. Heat shock induced synthesis of the 90,000, 70,000, and 26,000 Da quail HSPs is prevented by actinomycin D, while enhanced synthesis of the greater than 400,000 Da HSP is unaffected by this inhibitor. These results demonstrate that nucleated, terminally differentiating avian red blood cells are capable of responding to heat stress by rapid changes in their highly restricted "program" of gene expression.     

Detailed characterization of heat shock protein synthesis and induced thermotolerance in seedlings of Sorghum bicolor L.

Tolerance of both protein synthesis and seedling growth to apreviously lethal high temperature can be induced by prior exposureto a sub-lethal temperature during which the synthesis of heatshock proteins (HSPs) occurs. In this study, a thermal gradientbar was used to measure the physiological effects of temperatureon seedlings of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in conjunctionwith studies of gene expression. The duration of HSP synthesis,both during continued high temperature treatment or on returnto normal temperatures, was found to be very finely modulatedand was dependent on the severity of the initial heat shock.The synthesis of heat shock proteins and the induction of thermotolerancewere rapid, reversible and reinducible phenomena. Maximal thermotolerancewas obtained after treatments that induced the full complementof HSPs. Subsequent treatments that repressed HSP synthesis,also abolished thermotolerance. The presence of HSPs, however,was not sufficient for the tissue to be in a thermotolerantstate and the results suggest that either their de novo synthesis,or some other factor, is required for the induction of thermotolerance.Pre-existing HSPs did not inhibit the synthesis of new HSPs.Although the kinetics of the synthesis of HSPs and the developmentof thermotolerance show a tight correlation, the kinetics ofthe decay of thermotolerance and the degradation of HSPs werenot linked. The functional state or distribution of HSPs maywell change during the recovery process. Key words: Heat shock, thermotolerance, Sorghum bicolor, growth, protein synthesis     

Analytical assays of human HSP27 and thermal-stress survival of Escherichia coli cells that overexpress it

HSP27 is a small heat-shock protein (sHSP). Such proteins are produced in all organisms. These small HSPs exhibit chaperone-like activity that can bind to unfolded polypeptides and prevent uncontrolled protein aggregation in vitro. Cellular anti-apoptosis function and enhanced cell survival are correlated with increased expression of HSPs. This study presents a thermal-stress survival model for cells using the Escherichia coli expression system for which human HSP27, a recombinant protein, is inducible. Results show that E. coli cells overexpressing human HSP27 have enhanced tolerance to 50 degrees C thermal stress.     

The protective role of HSP90 against 3-hydroxykynurenine-induced neuronal apoptosis

3-hydroxykynurenine (3HK), an endogenous metabolite of tryptophan in the kynurenine pathway, is a potential neurotoxin in several neurodegenerative disorders. Stabilizing protein structure, heat shock proteins (HSPs) have diverse roles as molecular chaperones to mediate stress tolerance. In the present study, we investigated the possible protective role of HSPs against 3HK induced neuronal cell death. Here we report that 3HK induced in a dose- and time-dependent manner neuronal cell death in neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. The cell death showed characteristic apoptotic features such as cell shrinkage, plasma membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and nuclear condensation and fragmentation. Furthermore, SK-N-SN cells were protected from 3HK induced cytotoxicity by prior elevation of HSPs expression. Our results show that the protective effect was abolished by HSP90 anti-sense oligonucleotides while not by HSP27 and HSP70 anti-sense oligonucleotides. Also, our result shows that HSP90 effectively inhibits caspases activities leading to the apoptosis. These results suggest that 3HK induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma SK-N-SN cells and that HSP90 is major contributing protein component of protection against 3HK induced apoptosis.     

Heat shock resistance conferred by expression of the human HSP27 gene in rodent cells

Heat shock induces in cells the synthesis of specific proteins called heat shock proteins (HSPs) and a transient state of thermotolerance. The putative role of one of the HSPs, HSP27, as a protective molecule during thermal stress has been directly assessed by measuring the resistance to hyperthermia of Chinese hamster and mouse cells transfected with the human HSP27 gene contained in plasmid pHS2711. One- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of [3H]leucine- and [32P]orthophosphate-labeled proteins, coupled with immunological analysis using Ha27Ab and Hu27Ab, two rabbit antisera that specifically recognize the hamster and the human HSP27 protein respectively, were used to monitor expression and inducibility of the transfected and endogenous proteins. The human HSP27 gene cloned in pHS2711 is constitutively expressed in rodent cells, resulting in accumulation of the human HSP27 and all phosphorylated derivatives. No modification of the basal or heat-induced expression of endogenous HSPs is detected. The presence of additional HSP27 protein provides immediate protection against heat shock administered 48 h after transfection and confers a permanent thermoresistant phenotype to stable transfectant Chinese hamster and mouse cell lines. Mild heat treatment of the transfected cells results in an induction of the full complement of the endogenous heat shock proteins and a small increase in thermoresistance, but the level attained did not surpass that of heat-induced thermotolerant control cells. These results indicate that elevated levels of HSP27 is sufficient to give protection from thermal killing. It is concluded that HSP27 plays a major role in the increased thermal resistance acquired by cells after exposure to HSP inducers.     

Heat shock protein 25 or inducible heat shock protein 70 activates heat shock factor 1: dephosphorylation on serine 307 through inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation

The expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) is known to be increased via activation of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), and excess expression of HSPs exerts feedback inhibition of HSF1. However, the molecular mechanism to modulate such relationships between HSPs and HSF1 is not clear. In the present study, we show that stable transfection of either Hsp25 or inducible Hsp70 (Hsp70i) increased expression of endogenous HSPs such as HSP25 and HSP70i through HSF1 activation. However, these phenomena were abolished when the dominant negative Hsf1 mutant was transfected to HSP25 or HSP70i overexpressed cells. Moreover, the increased HSF1 activity by either HSP25 or HSP70i was found to result from dephosphorylation of HSF1 on serine 307 that increased the stability of HSF1. Either HSP25 or HSP70i inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation because of increased MKP1 phosphorylation by direct interaction of these HSPs with MKP1. Treatment of HOS and NCI-H358 cells, which showed high expressions of endogenous HSF1, with small interfering RNA (siRNA) of either HSP27 (siHSP27)or HSP70i (siHSP70i) inhibited both HSP27 and HSP70i proteins; this was because of increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and serine phosphorylation of HSF1. The results, therefore, suggested that when the HSF1 protein level was high in cancer cells, excess expression of HSP27 or HSP70i strongly facilitates the expression of HSP proteins through HSF1 activation, resulting in severe radio- or chemoresistance.     

Flavonoids, but not protein kinase C inhibitors, prevent stress protein synthesis during erythrophagocytosis.

Erythrophagocytosis induces in monocytes-macrophages the synthesis of stress proteins including the classical heat shock proteins (HSPs) and heme oxygenase (HO). To evaluate the role of oxygen radicals in this induction, we used the antioxidant flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol. These compounds inhibited HSP and HO synthesis, the latter being more sensitive. Quercetin and kaempferol also are inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC). In order to determine whether inhibition of stress protein synthesis by flavonoids was mediated by their antioxidant properties or by PKC inhibition, we also tested more specific PKC antagonists, staurosporine and H-7. Staurosporine (SS) and H-7 decreased the synthesis of HSP70 and HSP83 but had no effect on HO. These data suggest that (1) erythrophagocytosis-related oxygen radicals are involved in the induction of the stress response in phagocytic cells, (2) the induction of HSPs and HO is differentially regulated, and (3) the effects of flavonoids on HO are linked to their scavenging activity rather than to PKC modulation.