The effect of heat treatment on the damage and recovery of the protein synthesis mechanism of human kidney cell line.

The effect of supraoptimal temperature on the suppression and recovery of protein synthesis activity in cultures of human kidney cell line was studied. It was shown that 44 degrees C is a critical temperature to these cells, and after exposure to this temperature for 3 hours no recovery of protein synthesis activity could be detected. The cloning efficiency of cells exposed to 44 degrees C for 2 hours was irreversibly reduced to zero. Protein synthesis at 43 degrees C was much less affected, showing considerable recovery after eight hours exposure. Differences in heat susceptibility of individual cells in the culture were observed, but the reason for this heterogeneity is not yet known.