Heat Shock Proteins and Circadian Rhythms

Significant circadian rhythms in heat shock gene expression were observed in a prokaryotic species (Synechocystis). In eukaryotes, in contrast, several heat shock genes (constitutive and inducible) were shown to be constantly expressed. A few cases of circadian expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs), however, have been reported. Significant circadian changes of thermotolerance were observed in yeast and several plant species. Higher thermo-tolerance can be attributed to a higher abundance of HSPs, but also to other adaptive mechanisms. Zeitgeber effects of temperature changes can be explained on the basis of their direct effects on the state variables of the clock gene (per, frq) expression and its negative feedback loop. Effects of increased HSP concentrations, as observed after heat shock, but also after light and serotonin (5HT), appear possible, in particular with respect to nuclear localization of the clock (PER) protein, but these effects have not been documented yet. Thus, the role of HSPs in the circadian clock system is little understood and, from our point of view, deserves more attention. (Chronobiology International, 13(4), 239-250, 1996)