hsp-16.48 encodes a 16-kD heat shock protein (HSP) that is a member of the hsp16/hsp20/alphaB-crystallin (HSP16) family of heat shock proteins; an hsp-16.48 reporter fusion, expressed broadly but most strongly in body muscle and hypodermis, is induced solely in response to heat shock or other environmental stresses; expression is detectable in somatic tissues in post-gastrulation embryos, all larval stages, and in adults; HSP-16.48 is likely to function as a passive ligand temporarily preventing unfolded proteins from aggregating.
Predicted to enable unfolded protein binding activity. Involved in determination of adult lifespan and response to heat. Predicted to be located in cytoplasm and nucleus. Expressed in several structures, including coelomocyte; enteric muscle; intestine; nervous system; and pharynx. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in cataract 9 multiple types. Is an ortholog of human CRYAA (crystallin alpha A).
Map position created from combination of previous interpolated map position (based on known location of sequence) and allele information. Therefore this is not a genetic map position based on recombination frequencies or genetic experiments. This was done on advice of the CGC.