The HEK293T cells are human embryonic kidney cells (HEK). This cell line is used in cell biology because it´s easy to handle. MPI Scientists from the Department of Cellular Biochemistry found out that the transfected artificial proteins (called b sheet proteins) aggregated with natural cell proteins and cause aberration of protein interactions and influence the cytosolic stress response in cells. Multifactorial toxicity can lead to the collapse of essential cellular functions.

Usually the natural cell proteins play an important role in chromatin organization, transcription, translation, maintenance of cell architecture and protein quality control. The majority of proteins must fold into well-defined three-dimensional structures in order to fulfill their biological functions. This fundamental process is aided by a complex cellular machinery of molecular chaperones, which act to prevent misfolding and aggregation. The enhanced production of chaperones could be a possible approach.

Read more: http://www.mpg.de/