Mercury, cadmium, and arsenite enhance heat shock protein synthesis in chick embryos prior to embryotoxicity.

Background: Cells respond to adverse environmental stimuli by enhancing the expression of specific genes, the products of which include a suite of proteins known as heat shock proteins (hsps), a response often attributed to cellular protection.

Methods: In this study, we characterized alterations in hsp expression in chick embryos (Hamburger-Hamilton stage 17, 72 h) exposed in ovo to arsenite (As), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd), known developmental toxicants. Embryos were incubated for 2 h following exposure to 3, 10, 30, or 100 nmol metal, or for 2, 4, 12, or 24 h following treatment with 10 nmol metal.