HSF (Heat Shock Factor)

Heat Shock Factors (HSFs) are proteins that help cells respond to stress, such as increased temperature or harmful conditions. When cells experience stress, HSFs activate and bind to specific DNA regions, triggering the production of heat shock proteins. These proteins act as molecular chaperones, assisting to fold and stabilize other proteins, preventing damage and helping cells survive stressful conditions. Essentially, HSFs are crucial for cellular protection and maintaining protein health during times of stress.