Stress response

A stress response is a coordinated change in cellular activity caused by conditions that threaten normal function, such as excessive temperature, nutrient shortage or damaged proteins. It can alter gene expression, protein degradation and metabolism. For example, increased production of molecular chaperones helps handle unfolded proteins. The response is protective only within limits: prolonged or severe stress can cause cell death. Measuring response markers therefore establishes detection of stress, not necessarily successful recovery. ^[ref]