Coldinduced

Coldinduced (often written as cold-induced or cold-inducible) describes biological responses triggered by exposure to low temperatures. It is used to refer to genes, proteins, cells, tissues, and physiological processes whose activity increases or changes in response to cold. The concept spans plants, animals, and microorganisms, and encompasses molecular, cellular, and whole-organism effects as part of cold stress adaptation.

Molecularly, cold induction often involves upregulation of cold-responsive proteins and RNA-binding proteins. In mammals, cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) and RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) are classic examples that help stabilize transcripts and protect cells during cold stress. In plants, cold acclimation relies on transcription factors such as CBF/DREB1 that activate downstream cold-regulated genes, enhancing frost tolerance. Microorganisms also express cold shock proteins (CSPs) that function as RNA chaperones at low temperatures.

Physiological and cellular responses include changes in membrane lipid composition to maintain fluidity, accumulation of compatible solutes, and production of antifreeze or cryoprotective proteins in some species. In animals, cold exposure triggers vasoconstriction to preserve core heat, shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis via brown adipose tissue in mammals, and, in extremities, cold-induced vasodilation episodes (CIVD).

The term coldinduced appears in clinical contexts as well, describing conditions such as cold-induced urticaria or cold-induced asthma, and in research on cryopreservation, hypothermia therapy, and agricultural frost tolerance. Proper usage favors the hyphenated form cold-induced, though some sources use coldinduced as a compound form. See also cold stress, cold shock, and cold-responsive genes.