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Liu B, Lang Y, Li Y, Jiang M, Xue M, Jia X, Peng X, Hu Y. Genetic mutation in HSF4 is associated with retinal degeneration in mice. Exp Eye Res 2025; 254:110316. [PMID: 40023307 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2025.110316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2024] [Revised: 02/11/2025] [Accepted: 02/26/2025] [Indexed: 03/04/2025]
Abstract
Genetic mutations in Hsf4 cause developmental defect of lens at postnatal age. However, the regulatory effect of Hsf4 mutations on retinal homeostasis have not been elucidated. Here we found that HSF4 expresses in retinal and its expression level decrease with age increase. Using Hsf4del mice, which express a Hsf4 mutant with deletion of 42 amino acids in-frame- in the N-terminal hydrophobic region and develop cataracts at P27, we found that Hsf4del mutation downregulated the expression of visual cycle regulatory proteins, RPE65, RDH5 and RLBP1 and heat shock proteins HSP25 and HSP90, but upregulated retinal gliosis and senescence-associated proteins such as cycle-inhibitors P21 and P16 in P10 retina without change retinal structure. With age increase Hsf4del mice undergo retinal degeneration, characterized by thinner ONL, disorganized INL, disconnected RPE, neovascularization, and lipofuscin deposits. ERG results showed that the amplitudes of a- and b-waves at dark adaption were reduced in Hsf4del mice at P15, worsening with age. Intravitreal injection of AAV-Flag-Hsf4b in one-month-old Hsf4del mice partially restored the expression of visual cycle proteins and ERG responses and reduced the gliosis. Studies in vitro indicated that Hsf4 is able to bind to promoters of RPE65 and RDH5. Altogether, these data suggest that Hsf4 participates in regulating the expression of retinal visual cycle-regulatory proteins in addition to heat shock proteins during early retinal development. Genetic mutations in Hsf4 is associated with not only congenital cataracts but also retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baixue Liu
- The Division of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Youfei Lang
- The Division of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yujie Li
- The Division of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - MingJun Jiang
- The Division of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Mengjiao Xue
- The Division of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xiaolin Jia
- The Division of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xuyan Peng
- The Division of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Yanzhong Hu
- The Division of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; The Joined National Laboratory of Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China; Kaifeng Key Lab of Cataracts and Myopia, Kaifeng Central Hospital, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
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Saito S, Yoshino H, Yokoyama S, Tominaga M, Li G, Arima J, Kawahara I, Fukuda I, Mitsuke A, Sakaguchi T, Inoguchi S, Matsushita R, Yamada Y, Tatarano S, Tanimoto A, Enokida H. Targeting Heat Shock Transcription Factor 4 Enhances the Efficacy of Cabozantinib and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Renal Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:1776. [PMID: 40004241 PMCID: PMC11855069 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26041776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2025] [Revised: 02/11/2025] [Accepted: 02/18/2025] [Indexed: 02/27/2025] Open
Abstract
Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and cabozantinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), have been used to treat renal cell carcinoma (RCC); the combination of these agents has become a standard treatment for RCC. TKIs generally target vascular endothelial growth factor. However, cabozantinib is characterized by its targeting of MET. Therefore, cabozantinib can be used as a late-line therapy for TKI-resistant RCC. According to data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), heat shock transcription factor 4 (HSF4) expression is higher in RCC tissues than in normal renal tissues. HSF4 binds to the MET promoter in colorectal carcinoma to enhance MET expression and promote tumor progression. However, the functional role of HSF4 in RCC is unclear. We performed loss-of-function assays of HSF4, and our results showed that HSF4 knockdown in RCC cells significantly decreased cell functions. Moreover, MET expression was decreased in HSF4-knockdown cells but elevated in sunitinib-resistant RCC cells. The combination of cabozantinib and HSF4 knockdown reduced cell proliferation in sunitinib-resistant cells more than each monotherapy alone. Furthermore, HSF4 knockdown combined with an ICI showed synergistic suppression of tumor growth in vivo. Overall, our strategy involving HSF4 knockdown may enhance the efficacy of existing therapies, such as cabozantinib and ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeki Saito
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Hirofumi Yoshino
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Seiya Yokoyama
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan; (S.Y.); (A.T.)
| | - Mitsuhiko Tominaga
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Junya Arima
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Ichiro Kawahara
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Ikumi Fukuda
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Akihiko Mitsuke
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Takashi Sakaguchi
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Satoru Inoguchi
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Ryosuke Matsushita
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Yasutoshi Yamada
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Shuichi Tatarano
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
| | - Akihide Tanimoto
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan; (S.Y.); (A.T.)
| | - Hideki Enokida
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan; (S.S.); (M.T.); (G.L.); (J.A.); (I.K.); (I.F.); (A.M.); (T.S.); (S.I.); (R.M.); (Y.Y.); (S.T.); (H.E.)
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Alasady MJ, Mendillo ML. The heat shock factor code: Specifying a diversity of transcriptional regulatory programs broadly promoting stress resilience. Cell Stress Chaperones 2024; 29:735-749. [PMID: 39454718 PMCID: PMC11570959 DOI: 10.1016/j.cstres.2024.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2024] [Revised: 10/19/2024] [Accepted: 10/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The heat shock factor (HSF) family of transcription factors drives gene expression programs that maintain cytosolic protein homeostasis (proteostasis) in response to a vast array of physiological and exogenous stressors. The importance of HSF function has been demonstrated in numerous physiological and pathological contexts. Evidence accumulating over the last two decades has revealed that the regulatory programs driven by the HSF family can vary dramatically depending on the context in which it is activated. To broadly maintain proteostasis across these contexts, HSFs must bind and appropriately regulate the correct target genes at the correct time. Here, we discuss "the heat shock factor code"-our current understanding of how human cells use HSF paralog diversification and interplay, local concentration, post-translational modifications, and interactions with other proteins to enable the functional plasticity required for cellular resilience across a multitude of environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad J Alasady
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Marc L Mendillo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Yan L, Li J, Hu J, Qu J, Li K, Wang M, An SS, Ke CC, Li H, Yuan F, Guo W, Hu M, Zhang J, Yang Z, Mu H, zhang F, Zhang J, Cui X, Hu Y. Biotin attenuates heat shock factor 4b transcriptional activity by lysine 444 biotinylation. Biochem Biophys Rep 2022; 30:101227. [PMID: 35198740 PMCID: PMC8841385 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic mutations in HSF4 cause congenital cataracts. HSF4 exhibits both positive and negative regulation on the transcription of heat shock and non-heat shock proteins during lens development, and its activity is regulated by posttranslational modifications. Biotin is an essential vitamin that regulates gene expression through protein biotinylation. In this paper, we report that HSF4b is negatively regulated by biotinylation. Administration of biotin or ectopic bacterial biotin ligase BirA increases HSF4b biotinylation at its C-terminal amino acids from 196 to 493. This attenuates the HSF4b-controlled expression of αB-crystallin in both lens epithelial cells and tested HEK293T cells. HSF4b interacts with holocarboxylase synthetase (HCS), a ubiquitous enzyme for catalyzing protein biotinylation in mammal. Ectopic HA-HCS expression downregulates HSF4b-controlled αB-crystallin expression. Lysine-mutation analyses indicate that HSF4b/K444 is a potential biotinylation site. Mutation K444R reduces the co-precipitation of HSF4b by streptavidin beads and biotin-induced reduction of αB-crystallin expression. Mutations of other lysine residues such as K207R/K209R, K225R, K288R, K294R and K355R in HSF4's C-terminal region do not affect HSF4's expression level and the interaction with streptavidin, but they exhibit distinct regulation on αB-crystallin expression through different mechanisms. HSF4/K294R leads to upregulation of αB-crystallin expression, while mutations K207R/K209R, K225R, K288R, K255R and K435R attenuate HSF4's regulation on αB-crystallin expression. K207R/K209R blocks HSF4 nuclear translocation, and K345R causes HSF4 destabilization. Taken together, the data reveal that biotin maybe a novel factor in modulating HSF4 activity through biotinylation. Biotin downregulates HSF4's transcription activity. HSF4 is associated with and down-regulated by holocarboxylase synthetase (HCS). K444 is the potential biotinylated amino acid residue in HSF4b.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longjun Yan
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jing Li
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jialin Hu
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Junwei Qu
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Kejia Li
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Mingli Wang
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Shuang-Shuang An
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Cun-cun Ke
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Hui Li
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Fengling Yuan
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Weikai Guo
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Mengyue Hu
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zhengyan Yang
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Hongmei Mu
- Kaifeng Key Lab for Cataract and Myopia, Institute of Eye Disease, Kaifeng Central Hospital, Kaifeng, China
| | - Fengyan zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xiukun Cui
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Yanzhong Hu
- National-Joint Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan International Union Lab of Antibody Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Kaifeng Key Lab for Cataract and Myopia, Institute of Eye Disease, Kaifeng Central Hospital, Kaifeng, China
- Corresponding author. Department of Cell Biology, Henan University School of Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
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Syafruddin SE, Ling S, Low TY, Mohtar MA. More Than Meets the Eye: Revisiting the Roles of Heat Shock Factor 4 in Health and Diseases. Biomolecules 2021; 11:523. [PMID: 33807297 PMCID: PMC8066111 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells encounter a myriad of endogenous and exogenous stresses that could perturb cellular physiological processes. Therefore, cells are equipped with several adaptive and stress-response machinery to overcome and survive these insults. One such machinery is the heat shock response (HSR) program that is governed by the heat shock factors (HSFs) family in response towards elevated temperature, free radicals, oxidants, and heavy metals. HSF4 is a member of this HSFs family that could exist in two predominant isoforms, either the transcriptional repressor HSFa or transcriptional activator HSF4b. HSF4 is constitutively active due to the lack of oligomerization negative regulator domain. HSF4 has been demonstrated to play roles in several physiological processes and not only limited to regulating the classical heat shock- or stress-responsive transcriptional programs. In this review, we will revisit and delineate the recent updates on HSF4 molecular properties. We also comprehensively discuss the roles of HSF4 in health and diseases, particularly in lens cell development, cataract formation, and cancer pathogenesis. Finally, we will posit the potential direction of HSF4 future research that could enhance our knowledge on HSF4 molecular networks as well as physiological and pathophysiological functions.
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A novel missense mutation in the HSF4 gene of giant pandas with senile congenital cataracts. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5411. [PMID: 33686159 PMCID: PMC7940430 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84741-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cataracts are a common cause of visual impairment and blindness in mammals. They are usually associated with aging, but approximately one third of cases have a significant genetic component. Cataracts are increasingly prevalent among aging populations of captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and it is therefore important to identify genetic determinants that influence the likelihood of cataract development in order to distinguish between congenital and age-related disease. Here we screened for cataract-related genetic effects using a functional candidate gene approach combined with bioinformatics to identify the underlying genetic defect in a giant panda with congenital cataracts. We identified a missense mutation in exon 10 of the HSF4 gene encoding heat shock transcription factor 4. The mutation causes the amino acid substitution R377W in a highly conserved segment of the protein between the isoform-specific and downstream hydrophobic regions. Predictive modeling revealed that the substitution is likely to increase the hydrophobicity of the protein and disrupt interactions with spatially adjacent amino acid side chains. The mutation was not found in 13 unaffected unrelated animals but was found in an unrelated animal also diagnosed with senile congenital cataract. The novel missense mutation in the HSF4 gene therefore provides a potential new genetic determinant that could help to predict the risk of cataracts in giant pandas.
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Downregulation of heat shock factor 4 transcription activity via MAPKinase phosphorylation at Serine 299. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2018; 105:61-69. [PMID: 30316871 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Dysfunction of HSF4 is associated with congenital cataracts. HSF4 transcription activity is turned on and regulated by phosphorylation during early postnatal lens development. Our previous data suggested that mutation HSF4b/S299A can upregulate HSF4 transcription activity in vitro, but the biological significance of posttranslational modification on HSF4/S299 during lens development remains unclear. Here, we found that the mutation HSF4/S299A can upregulate the expression of HSP25 and alpha B-crystallin at both protein and mRNA levels in mouse the lens epithelial cell line, but HSF4/S299D does not. Using the rabbit polyclonal antibody against phospho-S299 of HSF4, we found that EGF and ectopic expression of MEK1 can increase the phosphorylation of HSF4/S299 and induce HSF4 sumoylation, and these effects are inhibited by U0126. ERK1/2 can phosphorylate the S299 in HSF4/wt but not in HSF4/S299A in the in vitro kinase assay. Functionally, ectopic MEK1 can inhibit HSF4-controled alpha B-crystallin expression but has less effect on HSF4/S299A. EGF can upregulate phospho-HSF4/S299 and downregulate alpha B-crystallin expression in P3 mouse lens, and this downregulation is suppressed by U0126. During mouse lens development, phosphorylation of HSF4/S299 is downregulated in P3 lens and upregulated in P7 and P14 lens. However, in 2 months old lens, both phosphorylation of HSF4/S299 and total HSF4 protein are decreased. Interestingly, ERK1/2 activity is lower in P3 lens than in P7 and P14 lens, which is in line with the phosphorylation of HSF4/S299. Taken together, our data demonstrate that HSF4/299 is a phosphorylation target of MEK1-ERK1/2, and phosphorylation of S299 is responsible for tuning down HSF4 transcription activity during postnatal lens development.
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Lu B, Yang Y. Detection of TORCH pathogens in children with congenital cataracts. Exp Ther Med 2016; 12:1159-1164. [PMID: 27446337 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between infection rates with TORCH pathogens including toxoplasma, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) I and II and congenital cataracts. In total, the data from 69 children with congenital cataract treated at the Children's Hospital of the Zhejiang University School of Medicine between May 2006 and September 2013 were examined, including the complete serum test results for immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM that target TORCH pathogenic antibodies. These results were compared with the antibody levels of 5,914 children in a control group. Using SPSS 19.0 software, variance equation Levene tests, mean equation t tests, and completely randomized design of four tables χ2 tests were applied. The HSV II IgG positivity rates significantly differed between the cataract and control groups. These results suggested that HSV may be one of the pathogenic viruses that leads to congenital cataracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Yabo Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
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Liao S, Du R, Wang L, Qu Z, Cui X, Li C, Liu F, Huang M, Wang J, Chen J, Gao M, Yu S, Tang Z, Li DWC, Jiang T, Liu M. BCAS2 interacts with HSF4 and negatively regulates its protein stability via ubiquitination. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 68:78-86. [PMID: 26319152 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Heat shock factor 4 (HSF4) is an important transcriptional factor that plays a vital role in lens development and differentiation, but the mechanism underlying the regulation of HSF4 is ambiguous. BCAS2 was reported to be an essential subunit of pre-mRNA splicing complex. Here, we identified BCAS2 as a novel HSF4 interacting partner. High expression of BCAS2 in the lens epithelium cells and the bow region of mouse lens was detected by immunohistochemistry. In human lens epithelial cells, BCAS2 negatively regulates HSF4 protein level and transcriptional activity, whereas in BCAS2 knockdown cells, HSF4 protein stability was increased significantly. We further demonstrated that the prolonged protein half-time of HSF4 in BCAS2 knockdown cells was due to reduced ubiquitination. Moreover, we have identified the lysine 206 of HSF4 as the key residue for ubiquitination. The HSF4-K206R mutant blocked the impact of BCAS2 on HSF4 protein stability. Taken together, we identified a pathway for HSF4 degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and a novel function for BCAS2 that may act as a negative regulatory factor for modulating HSF4 protein homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengjie Liao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Rong Du
- Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, PR China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Pathology & Lab Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Zhen Qu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Xiukun Cui
- Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical College of Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, PR China
| | - Chang Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Fei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Mi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Jiuxiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Jiaxiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Meng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Shanshan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Zhaohui Tang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - David Wan-Cheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China; Truhlsen Eye Institute, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Tao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Mugen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Center for Human Genome Research, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
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Huang M, Li D, Huang Y, Cui X, Liao S, Wang J, Liu F, Li C, Gao M, Chen J, Tang Z, Li DWC, Liu M. HSF4 promotes G1/S arrest in human lens epithelial cells by stabilizing p53. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2015; 1853:1808-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2015.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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11
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Hsf4 counteracts Hsf1 transcription activities and increases lens epithelial cell survival in vitro. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2015; 1853:746-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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12
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Li S, Ma W, Fei T, Lou Q, Zhang Y, Cui X, Qin X, Zhang J, Liu G, Dong Z, Ma Y, Song Z, Hu Y. Upregulation of heat shock factor 1 transcription activity is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Mol Med Rep 2014; 10:2313-21. [PMID: 25199534 PMCID: PMC4214332 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is associated with tissue‑specific tumorigenesis in a number of mouse models, and has been used a as prognostic marker of cancer types, including breast and prostatic cancer. However, its role in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not well understood. Using immunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining, it was identified that HSF1 and its serine (S) 326 phosphorylation, a biomarker of HSF1 activation, are significantly upregulated in human HCC tissues and HCC cell lines compared with their normal counterparts. Cohort analyses indicated that upregulation of the expression of HSF1 and its phospho‑S326 is significantly correlated with HCC progression, invasion and patient survival prognosis (P<0.001); however, not in the presence of a hepatitis B virus infection and the expression of alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen. Knockdown of HSF1 with shRNA induced the protein expression of tumor suppressor retinoblastoma protein, resulting in attenuated plc/prf5 cell growth and colony formation in vitro. Taken together, these data markedly support that HSF1 is a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shulian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Henan University School of Medicine, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Wanli Ma
- Department of Surgery, Huaihe Hospital Affiliated to Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Teng Fei
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai 20072, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Henan University School of Medicine, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Yaqin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Henan University School of Medicine, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Xiukun Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Henan University School of Medicine, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoming Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Henan University School of Medicine, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Henan University School of Medicine, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Guangchao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Henan University School of Medicine, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Henan University School of Medicine, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Yuanfang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Henan University School of Medicine, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Zhengshun Song
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai 20072, P.R. China
| | - Yanzhong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Henan University School of Medicine, Henan 475004, P.R. China
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13
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Zhang J, Ma Z, Wang J, Li S, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Wang M, Feng X, Liu X, Liu G, Lou Q, Cui X, Ma Y, Dong Z, Hu YZ. Regulation of Hsf4b nuclear translocation and transcription activity by phosphorylation at threonine 472. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2014; 1843:580-9. [PMID: 24361130 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2013] [Revised: 11/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Hsf4b, a key regulator of postnatal lens development, is subjected to posttranslational modifications including phosphorylation. However, the phosphorylation sites in Hsf4b and their biological effects on the transcription activity of Hsf4b are poorly understood. Here we examined 17 potential phosphorylation residues in Hsf4b with alanine-scanning assays and found that a T472A mutation diminished Hsf4b-mediated expression of Hsp25 and alphaB-crystallin. In contrast, the phosphomimetic mutation of T472D enhanced their expression. Further investigation demonstrated that Hsf4b could interact with nuclear-transporter importin beta-1 and Hsc70 via amino acids 246-320 and 320-493, respectively. T472A mutation reduced Hsf4bs interaction with importin beta-1, while enhancing its interaction with Hsc7O, resulting in Hsf4b cytosolic re-localization, protein instability and transcription activity attenuation. At the upstream, MEK6 was found to interact with Hsf4b and enhance Hsf4b's nuclear translocation and transcription activity, probably by phosphorylation at sites such as T472. Taken together, our results suggest that phosphotylation of Hsf4b at T472 by protein kinases such as MEI(6 regulates Hsf4b interaction with the importin V I -Hsc7O complex, resulting in blockade of its nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of Hsf4b.
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15
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Newhart A, Rafalska-Metcalf IU, Yang T, Negorev DG, Janicki SM. Single-cell analysis of Daxx and ATRX-dependent transcriptional repression. J Cell Sci 2012; 125:5489-501. [PMID: 22976303 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.110148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone H3.3 is a constitutively expressed H3 variant implicated in the epigenetic inheritance of chromatin structures. Recently, the PML-nuclear body (PML-NB)/Nuclear Domain 10 (ND10) proteins, Daxx and ATRX, were found to regulate replication-independent histone H3.3 chromatin assembly at telomeres and pericentric heterochromatin. As it is not completely understood how PML-NBs/ND10s regulate transcription and resistance to viral infection, we have used a CMV-promoter-regulated inducible transgene array, at which Daxx and ATRX are enriched, to delineate the mechanisms through which they regulate transcription. When integrated into HeLa cells, which express both Daxx and ATRX, the array is refractory to activation. However, transcription can be induced when ICP0, the HSV-1 E3 ubiquitin ligase required to reverse latency, is expressed. As ATRX and Daxx are depleted from the activated array in ICP0-expressing HeLa cells, this suggests that they are required to maintain a repressed chromatin environment. As histone H3.3 is strongly recruited to the ICP0-activated array but does not co-localize with the DNA, this also suggests that chromatin assembly is blocked during activation. The conclusion that the Daxx and ATRX pathway is required for transcriptional repression and chromatin assembly at this site is further supported by the finding that an array integrated into the ATRX-negative U2OS cell line can be robustly activated and that histone H3.3 is similarly recruited and unincorporated into the chromatin. Therefore, this study has important implications for understanding gene silencing, viral latency and PML-NB/ND10 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyshia Newhart
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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