Excessive environmental stress induces a complex cellular reaction known as the heat shock response, to protect proteins from damage. A special class of proteins called Heat Shock Proteins (HSP) is significantly upregulated upon cellular stress, such as hypoxia, infection, inflammation, or starvation. Of the three most widely studied HSPs (HSP60, HSP70 & HSP90), HSP70 has begun to emerge as critical factor in the hypoxic stress response mechanism.

Many researchers have shown that HSP70 expression is strongly increased in cells exposed to hypoxic conditions. However, recent studies have revealed more about the functional role that HSP70 plays in the heat shock response and the protective effects that it confers on the cell. See our "HSP70 in the News" section below for more details.

Novus is committed to supporting this groundbreaking research on hypoxia and remains a leading supplier of top quality heat shock protein reagents.