Figure 3. Heat shock increases the expression of Hsp70 and some endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial chaperones. Lens epithelial cells were cultured at 45 °C for 0, 30, or 60 min and then cultured at 37 °C for 1 h. Total RNA was extracted, and levels of mRNA for these chaperones were determined by real-time RT–PCR using GAPDH as a reference. The level of mRNA for these chaperones in cells cultured in 37 °C (control) was arbitrarily designated as 1. The levels of mRNAs for these chaperones in heat-shocked cells were normalized with the control and expressed as relative levels. Panel A shows the expression of cytoplasmic chaperones. Panel B shows the expression of ER chaperones, an ER stress-related factor, and a mitochondrial chaperone.