Induction of a Stress Protein in Developing Cell Cultures of the Rat Cerebellum

Abstract: We examined the ability of developing cere-bellar cell cultures to synthesize a 71,000 MW stress protein (SP71) in response to heat shock and Cd²⁺ treatment. The induction of SP71 synthesis appeared to be dependent on both the age of the culture and the stressor used. Heat shock induced SP71 synthesis in freshly prepared cells and in cell cultures at each age examined, whereas Cd²⁺ was effective only in cultures at 7 days of age and older. These findings are discussed with reference to the development of various cell types in these cultures.