Role of plant heat-shock proteins and molecular chaperones in the abiotic stress response

Abiotic stresses usually cause protein dysfunction. Maintaining proteins in their functional conformations and preventing the aggregation of non-native proteins are particularly important for cell survival under stress. Heat-shock proteins (Hsps)/chaperones are responsible for protein folding, assembly, translocation and degradation in many normal cellular processes, stabilize proteins and membranes, and can assist in protein refolding under stress conditions. They can play a crucial role in protecting plants against stress by re-establishing normal protein conformation and thus cellular homeostasis. Here, we summarize the significance of Hsps and chaperones in abiotic stress responses in plants, and discuss the co-operation among their different classes and their interactions with other stress-induced components.