Induction of heat shock proteins by canavanine in Tetrahymena. No change in ATP levels measured in vivo by NMR.

During induction of the heat shock response by temperature jump in the protozoan Tetrahymena, a decrease in cellular ATP levels occurs within minutes and cells become thermotolerant. Treatment of Tetrahymena with the amino acid analog canavanine also induces synthesis of heat shock proteins, but more slowly than by temperature jump. No changes in cellular ATP levels were observed during the course of canavanine induction of heat shock protein synthesis measured in vivo by the technique of 31P NMR spectroscopy. Tetrahymena do not become thermotolerant following induction of heat shock protein synthesis with canavanine. However, Tetrahymena will develop thermotolerance in the presence of canavanine if they are first subjected to a nonlethal temperature jump before exposure to a normally lethal temperature.