The heat shock matters with specific attention to the expression of Hsp60 under thermal stress in fish: A critical review

Abstract

Thermal stress caused by global climate change can create major challenges in the life of fish, as they are strongly affected by deviations in environmental temperatures. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are generally synthesized when cells are subjected to temperatures above their normal requirements for survival. In particular, Hsp60 plays a vital role in managing this stress by assisting protein folding, preventing aggregation, and maintaining cellular integrity. This review primarily highlights the different effects of heat stress on the life of fish. However, special emphasis is placed on compiling and analyzing current knowledge of Hsp60 expression in various fish species under different temperatures. This paper also investigates the physiological impacts of thermal stress on various organs, such as the liver, heart, spleen, gills, kidney, brain, muscle, ovary, and testis to enhance the broader understanding of fish response to temperature fluctuations, with a focus on Hsp60 expression. In addition, the contribution of Hsp60 to embryonic development is also accentuated to some extent. Furthermore, the paper outlines several research gaps in the study of Hsp60 expression, which will be imperative for future efforts to improve our understanding of this essential chaperon in fish species.