Characterization of stress sensitivity and chaperone activity of Hsp105 in mammalian cells

► We examined the function of Hsp105 in mammalian cells. ► The sensitivity to various stresses was enhanced in the Hsp105-deficient cells compared with that in control cells. ► Deficiency of Hsp105 impaired the refolding of heat-denatured luciferase in mammalian cells. ► Overexpression of Hsp105α enhanced the ability to recover heat-inactivated luciferase in mammalian cells. ► Hsp105 may play an important role in the refolding of denatured proteins and protection against stress-induced cell death in mammalian cells.