Evidence for a novel set of small heat-shock proteins that associates with the mitochondria of murine PC12 cells and protects NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase from heat and oxidative stess
Craig A. Downs(1), Linda R. Jones(2) and Scott A. Heckathorn(1)
(1)Department of Biology, (2) Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Charleston, Charleston SC 29424

Evidence indicates that cultured rat nerve (PC12) cells produce small heat-shock proteins (Hsps) that localize to the mitochondria during heat stress and protect Complex I (NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase) electron transport in vitro during heat and oxidative stress. This is the first evidence for mitochondrial-localized small Hsps in mammals and confirms recent work in plants that small Hsps protect Complex I, and thereby whole-chain, electron transport during high temperatures.
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics