Deficient induction of human hsp70 heat shock gene transcription in Y79 retinoblastoma cells despite activation of heat shock factor 1

Cell-Nonautonomous Regulation of Proteostasis in Aging and Disease

The functional health of the proteome is determined by properties of the proteostasis network (PN) that regulates protein synthesis, folding, macromolecular assembly, translocation, and degradation. In eukaryotes, the PN also integrates protein biogenesis across compartments within the cell and between tissues of metazoans for organismal health and longevity. Additionally, in metazoans, proteome stability and the functional health of proteins is optimized for development and yet declines throughout aging, accelerating the risk for misfolding, aggregation, and cellular dysfunction. Here, I describe the cell-nonautonomous regulation of organismal PN by tissue communication and cell stress-response pathways. These systems are robust from development through reproductive maturity and are genetically programmed to decline abruptly in early adulthood by repression of the heat shock response and other cell-protective stress responses, thus compromising the ability of cells and tissues to properly buffer against the cumulative stress of protein damage during aging. While the failure of multiple protein quality control processes during aging challenges cellular function and tissue health, genetic studies, and the identification of small-molecule proteostasis regulators suggests strategies that can be employed to reset the PN with potential benefit on cellular health and organismal longevity.

Epigenetic silencing of heat shock protein 70 through DNA hypermethylation in pseudoexfoliation syndrome and glaucoma

This study is intended to investigate the epigenetic regulation of the most conserved molecular chaperone, HSP70 and its potential role in the pathophysiology of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) and glaucoma (PEXG), a protein aggregopathy, contributing significantly to world blindness. Expression levels of HSP70 were significantly decreased in the lens capsule (LC) of PEXS but not in PEXG compared with that in control. Bisulfite sequencing of the LC of the study subjects revealed that the CpG islands (CGIs) located in the exonic region but not in the promoter region of HSP70 displayed hypermethylation only in PEXS individuals. There was a corresponding increase in DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) expression in only PEXS individuals suggesting de novo methylation in this stage of the disease condition. On the other hand, peripheral blood of both PEXS and PEXG cases showed hypermethylation in the exonic region when compared with non-PEX controls displaying tissue-specific effects. Further, functional analyses of CGI spanning the exon revealed a decreased gene expression in the presence of methylated in comparison with unmethylated reporter gene vectors. Treatment of human lens epithelial B-3 (HLE B-3) cells with DNMT inhibitor restored the expression of HSP70 following depletion in methylation level at exonic CpG sites. In conclusion, a decreased HSP70 expression correlates with hypermethylation of a CGI of HSP70 in PEXS individuals. The present findings enhance our current understanding of the mechanism underlying HSP70 repression, contributing to the pathogenesis of PEX.

Aberrant redox signalling and stress response in age-related muscle decline: Role in inter- and intra-cellular signalling

Age-associated frailty is predominantly due to loss of muscle mass and function. The loss of muscle mass is also associated with a greater loss of muscle strength, suggesting that the remaining muscle fibres are weaker than those of adults. The mechanisms by which muscle is lost with age are unclear, but in this review we aim to pull together various strands of evidence to explain how muscle contractions support proteostasis in non-muscle tissues, particularly focussed on the production and potential transfer of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) and how this may fail during ageing, Furthermore we will identify logical approaches, based on this hypothesis, by which muscle loss in ageing may be reduced. Skeletal muscle generates superoxide and nitric oxide at rest and this generation is increased by contractile activity. In adults, this increased generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) activate redox-sensitive transcription factors such as nuclear factor κB (NFκB), activator protein-1 (AP1) and heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), resulting in increases in cytoprotective proteins such as the superoxide dismutases, catalase and heat shock proteins that prevent oxidative damage to tissues and facilitate remodelling and proteostasis in both an intra- and inter-cellular manner. During ageing, the ability of skeletal muscle from aged organisms to respond to an increase in ROS generation by increased expression of cytoprotective proteins through activation of redox-sensitive transcription factors is severely attenuated. This age-related lack of physiological adaptations to the ROS induced by contractile activity appears to contribute to a loss of ROS homeostasis, increased oxidative damage and age-related dysfunction in skeletal muscle and potentially other tissues.

Non-cell Autonomous Maintenance of Proteostasis by Molecular Chaperones and Its Molecular Mechanism

Molecular chaperones have essential roles in cell survival, to prevent misfolding, aggregation, and aberrant accumulation of cellular proteins, and thus to maintain protein homeostasis (proteostasis). However, recent studies using animal models suggest that transcriptional upregulation of molecular chaperones in response to various types of stresses does not ubiquitously occur in all cells and tissues, but is a cell type-specific event. The imbalanced response to stresses between cells and tissues has been pointed out since more than 30 years ago, but the molecular basis as to how organisms maintain proteostasis in all cells, especially cells deficient for chaperone induction, remains unknown. In this review, I introduce the non-cell autonomous function of molecular chaperones that has been suggested in animal studies, especially focusing on our recent findings, and discuss the possibility that the non-cell autonomous function might provide a potential explanation as to how organisms would maintain proteostasis despite the imbalanced stress response between cells and tissues. Further elucidation of the molecular basis underlying the non-cell autonomous function of molecular chaperones would provide not only better understanding as to how organisms maintain proteostasis but also important insights into the potential development of therapies and diagnostics for the currently intractable neurodegenerative diseases that are associated with protein misfolding and aggregation.

The heat shock response in neurons and astroglia and its role in neurodegenerative diseases

Protein inclusions are a predominant molecular pathology found in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease. Protein inclusions form in discrete areas of the brain characteristic to the type of neurodegenerative disease, and coincide with the death of neurons in that region (e.g. spinal cord motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). This suggests that the process of protein misfolding leading to inclusion formation is neurotoxic, and that cell-autonomous and non-cell autonomous mechanisms that maintain protein homeostasis (proteostasis) can, at times, be insufficient to prevent protein inclusion formation in the central nervous system. The heat shock response is a pro-survival pathway induced under conditions of cellular stress that acts to maintain proteostasis through the up-regulation of heat shock proteins, a superfamily of molecular chaperones, other co-chaperones and mitotic regulators. The kinetics and magnitude of the heat shock response varies in a stress- and cell-type dependent manner. It remains to be determined if and/or how the heat shock response is activated in the different cell-types that comprise the central nervous system (e.g. neurons and astroglia) in response to protein misfolding events that precede cellular dysfunctions in neurodegenerative diseases. This is particularly relevant considering emerging evidence demonstrating the non-cell autonomous nature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease (and other neurodegenerative diseases) and the destructive role of astroglia in disease progression. This review highlights the complexity of heat shock response activation and addresses whether neurons and glia sense and respond to protein misfolding and aggregation associated with neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, by inducing a pro-survival heat shock response.

The role of attenuated redox and heat shock protein responses in the age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass and function

The loss of muscle mass and weakness that accompanies ageing is a major contributor to physical frailty and loss of independence in older people. A failure of muscle to adapt to physiological stresses such as exercise is seen with ageing and disruption of redox regulated processes and stress responses are recognized to play important roles in theses deficits. The role of redox regulation in control of specific stress responses, including the generation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) by muscle appears to be particularly important and affected by ageing. Transgenic and knockout studies in experimental models in which redox and HSP responses were modified have demonstrated the importance of these processes in maintenance of muscle mass and function during ageing. New data also indicate the potential of these processes to interact with and influence ageing in other tissues. In particular the roles of redox signalling and HSPs in regulation of inflammatory pathways appears important in their impact on organismal ageing. This review will briefly indicate the importance of this area and demonstrate how an understanding of the manner in which redox and stress responses interact and how they may be controlled offers considerable promise as an approach to ameliorate the major functional consequences of ageing of skeletal muscle (and potentially other tissues) in man.

Characterizing HSF1 Binding and Post-Translational Modifications of hsp70 Promoter in Cultured Cortical Neurons: Implications in the Heat-Shock Response

Causes of lower induction of Hsp70 in neurons during heat shock are still a matter of debate. To further inquire into the mechanisms regulating Hsp70 expression in neurons, we studied the activity of Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) and histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) at the hsp70 promoter in rat cortical neurons. Heat shock induced a transient and efficient translocation of HSF1 to neuronal nuclei. However, no binding of HSF1 at the hsp70 promoter was detected while it bound to the hsp25 promoter in cortical neurons during heat shock. Histone PTMs analysis showed that the hsp70 promoter harbors lower levels of histone H3 and H4 acetylation in cortical neurons compared to PC12 cells under basal conditions. Transcriptomic profiling data analysis showed a predominant usage of cryptic transcriptional start sites at hsp70 gene in the rat cerebral cortex, compared with the whole brain. These data support a weaker activation of hsp70 canonical promoter. Heat shock increased H3Ac at the hsp70 promoter in PC12 cells, which correlated with increased Hsp70 expression while no modifications occurred at the hsp70 promoter in cortical neurons. Increased histone H3 acetylation by Trichostatin A led to hsp70 mRNA and protein induction in cortical neurons. In conclusion, we found that two independent mechanisms maintain a lower induction of Hsp70 in cortical neurons. First, HSF1 fails to bind specifically to the hsp70 promoter in cortical neurons during heat shock and, second, the hsp70 promoter is less accessible in neurons compared to non-neuronal cells due to histone deacetylases repression.

Intercellular chaperone transmission via exosomes contributes to maintenance of protein homeostasis at the organismal level

The heat shock response (HSR), a transcriptional response that up-regulates molecular chaperones upon heat shock, is necessary for cell survival in a stressful environment to maintain protein homeostasis (proteostasis). However, there is accumulating evidence that the HSR does not ubiquitously occur under stress conditions, but largely depends on the cell types. Despite such imbalanced HSR among different cells and tissues, molecular mechanisms by which multicellular organisms maintain their global proteostasis have remained poorly understood. Here, we report that proteostasis can be maintained by molecular chaperones not only in a cell-autonomous manner but also in a non-cell-autonomous manner. We found that elevated expression of molecular chaperones, such as Hsp40 and Hsp70, in a group of cells improves proteostasis in other groups of cells, both in cultured cells and in Drosophila expressing aggregation-prone polyglutamine proteins. We also found that Hsp40, as well as Hsp70 and Hsp90, is physiologically secreted from cells via exosomes, and that the J domain at the N terminus is responsible for its exosome-mediated secretion. Addition of Hsp40/Hsp70-containing exosomes to the culture medium of the polyglutamine-expressing cells results in efficient suppression of inclusion body formation, indicating that molecular chaperones non-cell autonomously improve the protein-folding environment via exosome-mediated transmission. Our study reveals that intercellular chaperone transmission mediated by exosomes is a novel molecular mechanism for non-cell-autonomous maintenance of organismal proteostasis that could functionally compensate for the imbalanced state of the HSR among different cells, and also provides a novel physiological role of exosomes that contributes to maintenance of organismal proteostasis.

Integrin-linked kinase modulates longevity and thermotolerance in C. elegans through neuronal control of HSF-1

Integrin-signaling complexes play important roles in cytoskeletal organization and cell adhesion in many species. Components of the integrin-signaling complex have been linked to aging in both Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, but the mechanism underlying this function is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a key component of the integrin-signaling complex, in lifespan determination. We report that genetic reduction of ILK in both C. elegans and Drosophila increased resistance to heat stress, and led to lifespan extension in C. elegans without majorly affecting cytoskeletal integrity. In C. elegans, longevity and thermotolerance induced by ILK depletion was mediated by heat-shock factor-1 (HSF-1), a major transcriptional regulator of the heat-shock response (HSR). Reduction in ILK levels increased hsf-1 transcription and activation, and led to enhanced expression of a subset of genes with roles in the HSR. Moreover, induction of HSR-related genes, longevity and thermotolerance caused by ILK reduction required the thermosensory neurons AFD and interneurons AIY, which are known to play a critical role in the canonical HSR. Notably, ILK was expressed in neighboring neurons, but not in AFD or AIY, implying that ILK reduction initiates cell nonautonomous signaling through thermosensory neurons to elicit a noncanonical HSR. Our results thus identify HSF-1 as a novel effector of the organismal response to reduced ILK levels and show that ILK inhibition regulates HSF-1 in a cell nonautonomous fashion to enhance stress resistance and lifespan in C. elegans.

Identification of a tissue-selective heat shock response regulatory network

The heat shock response (HSR) is essential to survive acute proteotoxic stress and has been studied extensively in unicellular organisms and tissue culture cells, but to a lesser extent in intact metazoan animals. To identify the regulatory pathways that control the HSR in Caenorhabditis elegans, we performed a genome-wide RNAi screen and identified 59 genes corresponding to 7 positive activators required for the HSR and 52 negative regulators whose knockdown leads to constitutive activation of the HSR. These modifiers function in specific steps of gene expression, protein synthesis, protein folding, trafficking, and protein clearance, and comprise the metazoan heat shock regulatory network (HSN). Whereas the positive regulators function in all tissues of C. elegans, nearly all of the negative regulators exhibited tissue-selective effects. Knockdown of the subunits of the proteasome strongly induces HS reporter expression only in the intestine and spermatheca but not in muscle cells, while knockdown of subunits of the TRiC/CCT chaperonin induces HS reporter expression only in muscle cells. Yet, both the proteasome and TRiC/CCT chaperonin are ubiquitously expressed and are required for clearance and folding in all tissues. We propose that the HSN identifies a key subset of the proteostasis machinery that regulates the HSR according to the unique functional requirements of each tissue.

The heat shock response (HSR) is an essential stress response that functions to maintain protein folding homeostasis, or proteostasis, and whose critical role in human diseases is recently becoming apparent. Previously, most of our understanding of the HSR has come from cultured cells and unicellular organisms. Here we present the identification of the heat shock regulatory network (HSN) in Caenorhabditis elegans, an intact, multicellular organism, using genome-wide RNAi screening. We identify 59 positive and negative regulators of the HSR, all of which have a previously established role in proteostasis, linking the function of the HSR to its regulation. Some HSN genes were previously established in other systems, many were indirectly linked to HSR, and others are novel. Unexpectedly, almost all negative regulators of the HSR act in distinct, tissue-selective patterns, despite their broad expression and universal cellular requirements. Therefore, our data indicate that the HSN consists of a specific subset of the proteostasis machinery that functions to link the proteostasis network to HSR regulation in a tissue-selective manner.

Longitudinal measures of proteostasis in live neurons: features that determine fate in models of neurodegenerative disease

Protein misfolding and proteostasis decline is a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases. However, modeling the complexity of proteostasis and the global cellular consequences of its disruption is a challenge, particularly in live neurons. Although conventional approaches, based on population measures and single "snapshots", can identify cellular changes during neurodegeneration, they fail to determine if these cellular events drive cell death or act as adaptive responses. Alternatively, a "systems" cell biology approach known as longitudinal survival analysis enables single neurons to be followed over the course of neurodegeneration. By capturing the dynamics of misfolded proteins and the multiple cellular events that occur along the way, the relationship of these events to each other and their importance and role during cell death can be determined. Quantitative models of proteostasis dysfunction may yield unique insight and novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disease.

A highly integrated and complex PPARGC1A transcription factor binding network in HepG2 cells

PPARGC1A is a transcriptional coactivator that binds to and coactivates a variety of transcription factors (TFs) to regulate the expression of target genes. PPARGC1A plays a pivotal role in regulating energy metabolism and has been implicated in several human diseases, most notably type II diabetes. Previous studies have focused on the interplay between PPARGC1A and individual TFs, but little is known about how PPARGC1A combines with all of its partners across the genome to regulate transcriptional dynamics. In this study, we describe a core PPARGC1A transcriptional regulatory network operating in HepG2 cells treated with forskolin. We first mapped the genome-wide binding sites of PPARGC1A using chromatin-IP followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) and uncovered overrepresented DNA sequence motifs corresponding to known and novel PPARGC1A network partners. We then profiled six of these site-specific TF partners using ChIP-seq and examined their network connectivity and combinatorial binding patterns with PPARGC1A. Our analysis revealed extensive overlap of targets including a novel link between PPARGC1A and HSF1, a TF regulating the conserved heat shock response pathway that is misregulated in diabetes. Importantly, we found that different combinations of TFs bound to distinct functional sets of genes, thereby helping to reveal the combinatorial regulatory code for metabolic and other cellular processes. In addition, the different TFs often bound near the promoters and coding regions of each other's genes suggesting an intricate network of interdependent regulation. Overall, our study provides an important framework for understanding the systems-level control of metabolic gene expression in humans.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Nascent Transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The assessment of transcriptional regulation requires a genome-wide survey of active RNA polymerases. Thus, we combined the nuclear run-on assay, which labels and captures nascent transcripts, with high-throughput DNA sequencing to examine transcriptional activity in exponentially growing Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sequence read data from these nuclear run-on libraries revealed that transcriptional regulation in yeast occurs not only at the level of RNA polymerase recruitment to promoters but also at postrecruitment steps. Nascent synthesis signals are strongly enriched at TSS throughout the yeast genome, particularly at histone loci. Nascent transcripts reveal antisense transcription for more than 300 genes, with the read data providing support for the activity of distinct promoters driving transcription in opposite directions rather than bidirectional transcription from single promoters. By monitoring total RNA in parallel, we found that transcriptional activity accounts for 80% of the variance in transcript abundance. We computed RNA stabilities from nascent and steady-state transcripts for each gene and found that the most stable and unstable transcripts encode proteins whose functional roles are consistent with these stabilities. We also surveyed transcriptional activity after heat shock and found that most, but not all, heat shock-inducible genes increase their abundance by increasing their RNA synthesis. In summary, this study provides a genome-wide view of RNA polymerase activity in yeast, identifies regulatory steps in the synthesis of transcripts, and analyzes transcript stabilities.

Protein homeostasis in models of aging and age-related conformational disease

The stability of the proteome is crucial to the health of the cell, and contributes significantly to the lifespan of the organism. Aging and many age-related diseases have in common the expression of misfolded and damaged proteins. The chronic expression of damaged proteins during disease can have devastating consequences on protein homeostasis (proteostasis), resulting in disruption ofnumerous biological processes. This chapter discusses our current understanding of the various contributors to protein misfolding, and the mechanisms by which misfolding, and accompanied aggregation/toxicity, is accelerated by stress and aging. Invertebrate models have been instrumental in studying the processes related to aggregation and toxicity of disease-associated proteins and how dysregulation ofproteostasis leads to neurodegenerative diseases of aging.

Astrocyte targeted overexpression of Hsp72 or SOD2 reduces neuronal vulnerability to forebrain ischemia

Brief forebrain ischemia is a model of the delayed hippocampal neuronal loss seen in patients following cardiac arrest and resuscitation. Previous studies demonstrated that selective dysfunction of hippocampal CA1 subregion astrocytes occurs hours to days before delayed neuronal death. In this study we tested the strategy of directing protection to astrocytes to protect neighboring neurons from forebrain ischemia. Two well-studied protective proteins, heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) or superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), were genetically targeted for expression in astrocytes using the astrocyte-specific human glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter. The expression constructs were injected stereotacticly immediately above the hippocampal CA1 region on one side of the rat brain two days prior to forebrain ischemia. Cell type specific expression was confirmed by double label immunohistochemistry. When the expression constructs were injected two days before transient forebrain ischemia, the loss of CA1 hippocampal neurons observed seven days later was significantly reduced on the injected side compared with controls. This neuroprotection was associated with significantly better preservation of astrocyte glutamate transporter-1 immunoreactivity at 5-h reperfusion and reduced oxidative stress. Improving the resistance of astrocytes to ischemic stress by targeting either the cytosolic or mitochondrial compartment was thus associated with preservation of CA1 neurons following forebrain ischemia. Targeting astrocytes is a promising strategy for neuronal preservation following cardiac arrest and resuscitation.

Hsp70 is required for optimal cell proliferation in mouse A6 mesoangioblast stem cells

Mouse Hsp70 (70 kDa heat shock protein) is preferentially induced by heat or stress stimuli. We previously found that Hsp70 is constitutively expressed in A6 mouse mesoangioblast stem cells, but its possible role in these cells and the control of its basal transcription remained unexplored. Here we report that in the absence of stress, Ku factor is able to bind the HSE (heat shock element) consensus sequence in vitro, and in vivo it is bound to the proximal hsp70 promoter. In addition, we show that constitutive hsp70 transcription depends on the co-operative interaction of different factors such as Sp1 (specificity protein 1) and GAGA-binding protein with Ku factor, which binds the HSE consensus sequence. We used mRNA interference assays to select knockdown cell clones. These cells were able to respond to heat stress by producing a large amount of Hsp70, and produced the same amount of Hsp70 as that synthesized by stressed A6 cells. However, severe Hsp70 knockdown cells had a longer duplication time, suggesting that constitutive Hsp70 expression has an effect on the rate of proliferation.

Proteotoxic stress and inducible chaperone networks in neurodegenerative disease and aging

The long-term health of the cell is inextricably linked to protein quality control. Under optimal conditions this is accomplished by protein homeostasis, a highly complex network of molecular interactions that balances protein biosynthesis, folding, translocation, assembly/disassembly, and clearance. This review will examine the consequences of an imbalance in homeostasis on the flux of misfolded proteins that, if unattended, can result in severe molecular damage to the cell. Adaptation and survival requires the ability to sense damaged proteins and to coordinate the activities of protective stress response pathways and chaperone networks. Yet, despite the abundance and apparent capacity of chaperones and other components of homeostasis to restore folding equilibrium, the cell appears poorly adapted for chronic proteotoxic stress when conformationally challenged aggregation-prone proteins are expressed in cancer, metabolic disease, and neurodegenerative disease. The decline in biosynthetic and repair activities that compromises the integrity of the proteome is influenced strongly by genes that control aging, thus linking stress and protein homeostasis with the health and life span of the organism.

A novel HSF1-mediated death pathway that is suppressed by heat shock proteins

Heat shock response is an adoptive response to proteotoxic stress, and a major heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) has been believed to protect cells from cell death by inducing heat shock proteins (Hsps) that assist protein folding and prevent protein denaturation. However, it is revealed recently that HSF1 also promotes cell death of male germ cells. Here, we found a proapoptotic Tdag51 (T-cell death associated gene 51) gene as a direct target gene of HSF1. Heat shock and other stresses induced different levels of Hsps and Tdag51, which depend on cell types. Hsps bound directly to the N-terminal pleckstrin-homology like (PHL) domain of Tdag51, and suppressed death activity of the C-terminal proline/glutamine/histidine-rich domain. Tdag51, but not major Hsps, were induced in male germ cells exposed to high temperatures. Analysis of Tdag51-null testes showed that Tdag51 played substantial roles in promoting heat shock-induced cell death in vivo. These data suggest that cell fate on proteotoxic condition is determined at least by balance between Hsp and Tdag51 levels, which are differently regulated by HSF1.

Hsp70 Chaperone as a Survival Factor in Cell Pathology

Heat shock protein Hsp70 is implicated in the mechanism of cell reaction to a variety of cytotoxic factors. The protective function of Hsp70 is related to its ability to promote folding of nascent polypeptides and to remove denatured proteins. Many types of cancer cells contain high amounts of Hsp70, whose protective capacity may pose a problem for therapy in oncology. Hsp70 was shown to be expressed on the surface of cancer cells and to participate in the presentation of tumor antigens to immune cells. Therefore, the chaperone activity of Hsp70 is an important factor that should be taken into consideration in cancer therapy. The protective role of Hsp70 is also evident in neuropathology. Many neurodegenerative processes are associated with the accumulation of insoluble aggregates of misfolded proteins in neural cells. These aggregates hamper intracellular transport, inhibit metabolism, and activate apoptosis through diverse pathways. The increase of Hsp70 content results in the reduction of aggregate size and number and ultimately enhances cell viability.

Class II transactivator (CIITA) promoter methylation does not correlate with silencing of CIITA transcription in trophoblasts

Trophoblast cells are unique because they do not express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens, either constitutively or after exposure to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The absence of MHC class II antigens on trophoblasts is thought to play a critical role in preventing rejection of the fetus by the maternal immune system. The inability of trophoblasts to express MHC class II genes is primarily due to lack of the class II transactivator (CIITA), a transacting factor that is required for constitutive and IFN-gamma-inducible MHC class II transcription. We, therefore, investigated the silencing of CIITA expression in trophoblasts. In transient transfection assays, transcription from the IFN-gamma-responsive CIITA type IV promoter was upregulated by IFN-gamma in trophoblasts, which suggests that CIITA is silenced by an epigenetic mechanism in these cells. Polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that the CIITA type IV promoter is methylated in both the human choriocarcinoma cell lines JEG-3 and Jar and in 2fTGH fibrosarcoma cells, which are IFN-gamma inducible for CIITA. Conversely, methylation of the CIITA type IV promoter was not observed in human primary cytotrophoblasts isolated from term placentae or in mouse or rat trophoblast cell lines. Simultaneous treatment with IFN-gamma and the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A weakly activated CIITA transcription in mouse trophoblasts. Stable hybrids between human choriocarcinoma and fibrosarcoma cells and between mouse trophoblasts and fibroblasts expressed CIITA following treatment with IFN-gamma. These results suggest that silencing of CIITA transcription is recessive in trophoblasts and involves an epigenetic mechanism other than promoter methylation. The fact that CIITA is expressed in the stable hybrids implies that trophoblasts may be missing a factor that regulates chromatin structure at the CIITA promoter.

High threshold for induction of the stress response in motor neurons is associated with failure to activate HSF1

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) protects cultured motor neurons from the toxic effects of mutations in Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), which is responsible for a familial form of the disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, the endogenous heat shock response of motor neurons was investigated to determine whether a high threshold for activating this protective mechanism contributes to their vulnerability to stresses associated with ALS. When heat shocked, cultured motor neurons failed to express Hsp70 or transactivate a green fluorescent protein reporter gene driven by the Hsp70 promoter, although Hsp70 was induced in glial cells. No increase in Hsp70 occurred in motor neurons after exposure to excitotoxic glutamate or expression of mutant SOD-1 with a glycine--> alanine substitution at residue 93 (G93A), nor was Hsp70 increased in spinal cords of G93A SOD-1 transgenic mice or sporadic or familial ALS patients. In contrast, strong Hsp70 induction occurred in motor neurons with expression of a constitutively active form of heat shock transcription factor (HSF)-1 or when proteasome activity was sufficiently inhibited to induce accumulation of an alternative transcription factor HSF2. These results indicate that the high threshold for induction of the stress response in motor neurons stems from an impaired ability to activate the main heat shock-stress sensor, HSF1.

High threshold for induction of the stress response in motor neurons is associated with failure to activate HSF1

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) protects cultured motor neurons from the toxic effects of mutations in Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), which is responsible for a familial form of the disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, the endogenous heat shock response of motor neurons was investigated to determine whether a high threshold for activating this protective mechanism contributes to their vulnerability to stresses associated with ALS. When heat shocked, cultured motor neurons failed to express Hsp70 or transactivate a green fluorescent protein reporter gene driven by the Hsp70 promoter, although Hsp70 was induced in glial cells. No increase in Hsp70 occurred in motor neurons after exposure to excitotoxic glutamate or expression of mutant SOD-1 with a glycine--> alanine substitution at residue 93 (G93A), nor was Hsp70 increased in spinal cords of G93A SOD-1 transgenic mice or sporadic or familial ALS patients. In contrast, strong Hsp70 induction occurred in motor neurons with expression of a constitutively active form of heat shock transcription factor (HSF)-1 or when proteasome activity was sufficiently inhibited to induce accumulation of an alternative transcription factor HSF2. These results indicate that the high threshold for induction of the stress response in motor neurons stems from an impaired ability to activate the main heat shock-stress sensor, HSF1.

Neuronal cells show regulatory differences in the hsp70 gene response

The synthesis of heat shock proteins (Hsps), encoded by heat shock genes, is increased in response to various stress stimuli. Hsps function as molecular chaperones, they dissociate cytotoxic stress-induced protein aggregates within cells and ensure improved survival. Induction of heat shock genes is mainly regulated at the transcriptional level. The stress responsive transcription factor, heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), is involved in the transcriptional induction of the heat shock genes. Our objective was to examine how hsp70 genes are regulated in different transformed and primary neurons upon exposure to elevated temperature. Our findings reveal that the Hsp70 response is regulated at the translational level in Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells, while the IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells respond to stress by the classical HSF1-driven transcriptional regulatory mechanism. Primary rat hippocampal neurons show a lack of HSF1 and induction of the hsp70 gene. These observations suggest that neuronal cells display different hsp70 gene expression patterns which range from undetected response to transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation during heat stress.

HSP90 inhibitors alter capsaicin- and ATP-induced currents in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are major components of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells with particularly high levels of expression in neurons. HSPs control protein folding, transport of proteins to and from the nucleus, incorporation of proteins into the cell membrane, and maintenance of the functional activity of several proteins involved in transcriptional control. In this study we demonstrate that inhibitors of HSP90 alter currents mediated by the ligand gated channels, P2X and VR1. P2X and VR1 are membrane receptors activated by ATP and capsaicin, respectively, and are thought to be involved in inflammation-related nociception. The HSP90 inhibitors geldanamycin (GLD), radicicol (RAD) herbimycin A (HERB) potentiated ATP induced currents, whereas only GLD altered capsaicin-induced currents in isolated DRG neurons. At low (< 1 microM) concentrations, GLD potentiated the capsaicin-induced current, while at high concentrations (10-25 microM) it inhibited it. The results suggest a potential involvement of HSPs in nociception.

Geldanamycin restores a defective heat shock response in vivo

Induced expression of heat shock proteins (Hsps) plays a central role in promoting cellular survival after environmental and physiological stress. We have previously shown that scrapie-infected mouse neuroblastoma (ScN2a) cells fail to induce the expression of Hsp72 and Hsp28 after various stress conditions. Here we present evidence that this impaired stress response is due to an altered regulation of HSF1 activity. Upon stress in ScN2a cells, HSF1 was converted into hyperphosphorylated trimers but failed to acquire transactivation competence. A kinetic analysis of HSF1 activation revealed that in ScN2a cells trimer formation after stress was efficient, but disassembly of trimers proceeded much faster than in the uninfected cell line. Geldanamycin, a Hsp90-binding drug, significantly delayed disassembly of HSF1 trimers after a heat shock and restored stress-induced expression of Hsp72 in ScN2a cells. Heat-induced Hsp72 expression required geldanamycin to be present; following removal of the drug ScN2a cells again lost their ability to mount a stress response. Thus, our studies show that a defective stress response can be pharmacologically restored and suggest that the HSF1 deactivation pathway may play an important role in the regulation of Hsp expression.

In vitro studies show that Hsp70 can be released by glia and that exogenous Hsp70 can enhance neuronal stress tolerance

Glial cells release a variety of molecules that support neuronal function. Because heat shock proteins (Hsps) are important in the survival of neurons subjected to metabolic stress, the possibility that glia can release the inducible form of the 70 kDa Hsp (Hsp70) was examined. Additionally, the ability of neuronal cells to show increased stress tolerance by taking up a mixture of constitutive and inducible forms of Hsp70 (Hsc/Hsp70) added to the extracellular fluid was tested. Human T98G glioma cells and differentiated LA-N-5 neuroblastoma cells were used as model glia and neurons to investigate these points. Hsp70 was analyzed using affinity chromatography, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence microscopy. The glioma cells were shown to export Hsp70 into the culture medium whether under normal conditions or subjected to heat shock. The amount of glial Hsp70 released ranged from 5 to 15 pg per 10(6) cells per day, being greater following heat shock. Neuroblastoma cells took up biotinylated Hsc/Hsp70 within 1 h after it was added to the culture medium and it made them more resistant to heat shock (44 degrees C) and to staurosporine-induced apoptosis. This increased stress tolerance was especially important in neuroblastoma cells induced to differentiate with phorbol ester because those 'mature neurons' showed a 10-fold decline in endogenous Hsp70, which was accompanied by increased susceptibility to heat shock and staurosporine-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that extracellular Hsp70 may provide a means by which glia can affect neuronal function, perhaps enhancing neuronal stress tolerance.

Differential induction of Hsp70-encoding genes in human hematopoietic cells

The rapid transcriptional activation of heat shock genes in response to stress is crucial for the cellular survival and the development of thermotolerance. Although heat shock response is a widespread phenomenon, certain cells exhibit a diminished induction of heat shock gene expression upon stress stimuli. Here we have analyzed the development of thermotolerance and induction of distinct Hsp70 encoding genes in three cell lines representing different hematopoietic cell types. We show that in response to heat shock, cell survival and induction of thermotolerance are impaired in Raji and HL60 cells, as compared with K562 cells. Accordingly, transcriptional induction of the hsp70 gene is diminished in Raji and HL60 cells. This appears to be due to inability of transcription factors, including HSF1 to bind to the hsp70.1 promoter in vivo. Consistent with the genomic footprint, analysis of hsp70.1 mRNA expression using a specific 3'-untranslated region probe reveals that induction of the hsp70.1 gene upon heat shock is completely abolished in Raji and HL60 cells. The suppression of the hsp70.1 promoter is not caused by impaired function of HSF1, since HSF1 is equally activated in all cell types and occupies another heat-inducible promoter, hsp90 alpha. Furthermore, among distinct inducible hsp70 genes, suppression seems to be specific for the hsp70.1 gene, since heat shock results in induction of hsp70.2 and hsp70B' mRNA expression in all cell lines. Taken together, our results demonstrate that distinct Hsp70-encoding genes contribute to the heat shock response in a cell type-dependent manner.

Primary chondrocytes resist hydrostatic pressure-induced stress while primary synovial cells and fibroblasts show modified Hsp70 response

OBJECTIVE

During joint loading, chondrocytes in the articular cartilage are subjected to gradients of high compressive hydrostatic pressure (HP). In response to diverse chemical or physical stresses, heat shock genes are induced to express heat shock proteins (Hsps). This study sought to examine the role of Hsps in baroresistance in primary bovine chondrocytes and synovial cells, as well as in primary human fibroblasts.

METHODS

Northern blotting was used to analyze the steady-state levels of hsp70 mRNA in the primary cells exposed to HP or heat stress. Hsp70 protein accumulation was analyzed by Western blotting, and the DNA-binding activity was examined by gel mobility shift assay.

RESULTS

Primary bovine chondrocytes which have been adapted to live under pressurized conditions showed negligible Hsp70 response upon HP loading, whereas primary bovine synovial cells and human fibroblasts accumulated hsp70 mRNA and protein when subjected to HP. The response was initiated without activation of the heat shock transcription factor 1. Interestingly, pre-conditioning of the barosensitive fibroblasts with HP or heat shock reduced the Hsp70 response, indicating induction of baroresistance.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that Hsp70 can play an important role in the early stages of adaptation of cells to HP. Thus, the Hsp70 gene expression upon HP loading may serve as one indicator of the chondrocytic phenotype of the cells. This can be of use in the treatment of cartilage lesions.

Opposing actions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta in the regulation of HSF-1 activity

Elevated temperatures activate the survival promoters Akt and heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), a transcription factor that induces the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs), such as HSP-70. Because neuronal mechanisms controlling these responses are not known, these were investigated in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Heat shock (45 degrees C) rapidly activated Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), and p38, but only Akt was activated in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K)-dependent manner, as the PI-3K inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin blocked Akt activation, but not ERK1/2 or p38 activation. Akt activation was not blocked by inhibition of p38 or ERK1/2, indicating the independence of these signaling systems. Heat shock treatment also caused a rapid increase in HSF-1 DNA binding activity that was partially dependent on PI-3K activity, as both the PI-3K inhibitors attenuated this response. Because Akt inhibits glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), an enzyme that facilitates cell death, we tested if GSK-3beta is a negative regulator of HSF-1 activation. Overexpression of GSK-3beta impaired heat shock-induced activation of HSF-1, and also reduced HSP-70 production, which was partially restored by the GSK-3beta inhibitor lithium. Thus, heat shock-induced activation of PI-3K and the inhibitory effect of GSK-3beta on HSF-1 activation and HSP-70 expression imply that Akt-induced inhibition of GSK-3beta contributes to the activation of HSF-1.

Heat shock transcription factors and the hsp70 induction response in brain and kidney of the hyperthermic rat during postnatal development

Heat shock transcription factor (HSF) 1 levels increase in brain regions and decline in kidney during postnatal rat development. In both neonatal and adult rats, levels of HSF1 protein in brain and kidney are proportional to the levels of HSF DNA-binding activity and the magnitude of heat shock protein hsp70 induction after thermal stress. There appears to be more HSF1 protein in adult brain than is needed for induction of hsp70 after thermal stress, suggesting that HSF1 may have other functions in addition to its role as a stress-inducible activator of heat shock genes. HSF2 protein levels decline during postnatal rat development in brain regions and kidney. Gel mobility shift analysis shows that HSF2 is not in a DNA-binding form in the neonatal brain and kidney, suggesting that HSF2 may not be involved in the constitutive expression of hsps in early postnatal development. There is no apparent relationship between levels of HSF2 protein and basal levels of hsp90, hsp70, heat shock cognate protein hsc70, and hsp60.

Cell-specific expression of heat shock transcription factors 1 and 2 in unstressed rat spinal cord

We investigated the intracellular distribution of heat shock factors 1 and 2 (HSF1, HSF2) in rat spinal cord by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry using selective policlonal antibodies. Our results showed that both HSF1 and HSF2 were expressed in spinal cord cells (both neurons and glia) but at different intensity and cell localization. HSF1 was unusually distributed in the perinuclear compartment of selected neurons of the gray matter while astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and ependymal cells were predominantly stained in the nucleus. HSF2 was expressed at lower levels than HSF1 and was scattered in both nucleus and cytoplasm of the motoneurons of the ventral horns while glial cells again showed a nuclear positivity. This study suggested that the different ability of neurons vs. glial cells to react against adverse conditions might well be correlated with the different constitutive localization of HSFs.

Evidence for a hsp25-specific mechanism involved in transcriptional activation by heat shock

Transcriptional stimulation of heat shock genes is generally due to the activation of heat shock transcription factor (HSF) 1. We demonstrate that in the murine leucemic cell line, P388, trimerization of HSF1, transcriptional activation of the hsp70 gene, and expression of Hsp70 are achieved as a result of heat shock. In contrast, the small heat shock proteins Hsp25 and alpha B-crystallin are not expressed in these cells and cannot be induced upon heat shock. Furthermore, no hsp25 transcript can be detected, indicating that there is a defect in the hsp25 gene or a block in its expression. Comparison of the hsp25 gene structure between P388 and Hsp25-expressing Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells by Southern blot analysis revealed no differences in the structural organization of the gene and no changes in its localization in the genome. However, sequence analysis of the hsp25 promoter region in P388 cells demonstrates minor differences. Despite these differences, the hsp25 promoter from P388 cells mediates heat shock-induced activation of a reporter gene when transfected into human HeLa cells which is comparable to that of the hsp25 promoter from EAT cells. Furthermore, the hsp25 gene isolated from EAT or P388 cells can both be expressed in HeLa cells and lead to a similar heat shock-stimulated accumulation of Hsp25. Silencing of the hsp25 and alpha B-crystallin genes in P388 cells by DNA-methylation could also be excluded since 5-azacytidine treatment does not influence expression of these genes. Interestingly, when expressed in P388 cells the hsp25 promoter from EAT cells is not activated upon heat shock, whereas the human hsp70 promoter is activated. Taken together, the data suggest cell line-specific differences in a mechanism of regulation of hsp25 transcription, which interferes with the activation of the promoter by HSF1 and which may also affect the alpha B-crystallin gene.

Cultured skin fibroblasts isolated from mice devoid of the prion protein gene express major heat shock proteins in response to heat stress

Recent evidence has suggested that molecular chaperones participate in the conformational change between the normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) and its scrapie isoform (PrPSc). To study a role of PrPC in the regulation of expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs), a group of molecular chaperones, heat-induced expression of major HSPs (HSP105, HSP90alpha, HSP72, HSC70, HSP60, and HSP25) was investigated in cultured skin fibroblasts isolated from the mice homogeneous for a disrupted PrP gene (PrP-/- mice) by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Two lines of fibroblasts were established and designated SFK derived from the PrP-/- mice and SFH derived from the PrP+/+ mice, respectively. In both SFK and SFH cells, HSP105, HSP72, and HSP25 were expressed at low levels under unstressed conditions but they were induced markedly following exposure to heat stress (43 degreesC/20 min) at 3-72 h postrecovery. In both cell types, HSC70 and HSP60 were expressed at high levels under unstressed conditions and their levels remained unchanged after heat shock treatment. HSP90alpha was undetectable in both cell types under any conditions examined. The pattern of expression, induction, and subcellular location of HSP105, HSP72, HSC70, HSP60, and HSP25 was not significantly different between SFK and SFH cells under unstressed and heat-stressed conditions. Furthermore, the levels of constitutive expression of HSP105, HSC70, HSP60, and HSP25 were similar between the brain tissues isolated from the PrP-/- and PrP+/+ mice. These results indicate that HSP induction is not affected by either the existence or the absence of PrPC in the cells.

Hsp70 accumulation in chondrocytic cells exposed to high continuous hydrostatic pressure coincides with mRNA stabilization rather than transcriptional activation

In response to various stress stimuli, heat shock genes are induced to express heat shock proteins (Hsps). Previous studies have revealed that expression of heat shock genes is regulated both at transcriptional and posttranscriptional level, and the rapid transcriptional induction of heat shock genes involves activation of the specific transcription factor, heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). Furthermore, the transcriptional induction can vary in intensity and kinetics in a signal- and cell-type-dependent manner. In this study, we demonstrate that mechanical loading in the form of hydrostatic pressure increases heat shock gene expression in human chondrocyte-like cells. The response to continuous high hydrostatic pressure was characterized by elevated mRNA and protein levels of Hsp70, without activation of HSF1 and transcriptional induction of hsp70 gene. The increased expression of Hsp70 was mediated through stabilization of hsp70 mRNA molecules. Interestingly, in contrast to static pressurization, cyclic hydrostatic loading did not result in the induction of heat shock genes. Our findings show that hsp70 gene expression is regulated posttranscriptionally without transcriptional induction in chondrocyte-like cells upon exposure to high continuous hydrostatic pressure. We suggest that the posttranscriptional regulation in the form of hsp70 mRNA stabilization provides an additional mode of heat shock gene regulation that is likely to be of significant importance in certain forms of stress.

Biochemical analysis of the stress protein response in human oesophageal epithelium

BACKGROUND

The oesophageal epithelium is exposed routinely to noxious agents in the environment, including gastric acid, thermal stress, and chemical toxins. These epithelial cells have presumably evolved effective protective mechanisms to withstand tissue damage and repair injured cells. Heat shock protein or stress protein responses play a central role in protecting distinct cell types from different types of injury.

AIM

To determine (i) whether biochemical analysis of stress protein responses in pinch biopsy specimens from human oesophageal epithelium is feasible; (ii) whether undue stresses are imposed on cells by the act of sample collection, thus precluding analysis of stress responses; and (iii) if amenable to experimentation, the type of heat shock protein (Hsp) response that operates in the human oesophageal epithelium.

METHODS

Tissue from the human oesophagus comprised predominantly of squamous epithelium was acquired within two hours of biopsy and subjected to an in vitro heat shock. Soluble tissue cell lysates derived from untreated or heat shocked samples were examined using denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for changes in: (i) the pattern of general protein synthesis by labelling epithelial cells with 35S-methionine and (ii) the levels of soluble Hsp70 protein and related isoforms using immunochemical protein blots.

RESULTS

A single pinch biopsy specimen is sufficient to extract and analyse specific sets of polypeptides in the oesophageal epithelium. After ex vivo heat shock, a classic inhibition of general protein synthesis is observed and correlates with the increased synthesis of two major proteins of molecular weight of 60 and 70 kDa. Notably, cells from unheated controls exhibit a "stressed" biochemical state 22 hours after incubation at 37 degrees C, as shown by inhibition of general protein synthesis and increased synthesis of the 70 kDa protein. These data indicate that only freshly acquired specimens are suitable for studying stress responses ex vivo. No evidence was found that the two heat induced polypeptides are previously identified Hsp70 isoforms. In fact, heat shock results in a reduction in the steady state concentrations of Hsp70 protein in the oesophageal epithelium.

CONCLUSION

Systematic and highly controlled studies on protein biochemistry are possible on epithelial biopsy specimens from the human oesophagus. These technical innovations have permitted the discovery of a novel heat shock response operating in the oesophageal epithelium. Notably, two polypeptides were synthesised after heat shock that seem to differ from Hsp70 protein. In addition, the striking reduction in steady state concentrations of Hsp70 protein after heat shock suggests that oesophageal epithelium has evolved an atypical biochemical response to thermal stress.

Examination of the molecular basis for the lack of alphaB-crystallin expression in L929 cells

We have previously shown that murine L929 cells do not express the small heat shock protein alphaB-crystallin upon exposure to thermal stress (Mol Cell Biochem 155: 51-60, 1996). In these studies, we demonstrate that L929 cells also fail to express alphaB-crystallin upon exposure dexamethasone, whereas NIH 3T3 and Swiss 3T3 murine cells exhibit alphaB-crystallin expression under identical conditions. Mobility shift assays demonstrated heat-inducible binding, presumably by heat shock factor(s), to an alphaB-crystallin heat shock element (HSE) oligomeric sequence in total cellular extracts from L929 cells. Transient transfection of a plasmid containing the alphaB-crystallin promoter linked to a CAT reporter gene exhibited heat-inducible expression in L929 cells. In addition, L929 cells stably transfected with a plasmid containing the complete alphaB-crystallin gene showed expression of this gene following heat shock. The presence of the endogenous alphaB-crystallin gene was detected by Southern blot hybridization of genomic L929 DNA, and sequence analysis revealed identical nucleotide structure to published murine sequences throughout the entire promoter. Treatment of L929 cells with 5-azacytidine enabled heat-inducible expression of alphaB-crystallin from the endogenous gene, however, methylation of the putative heat shock element (HSE) and flanking promoter sequences of L929 cell genomic DNA was not detected. In vivo genomic footprinting demonstrated constitutive binding to the endogenous HSE of the alphaB-crystallin promoter in L929, L929/alphaB-crystallin transfectant cells, and Swiss 3T3 cells during unstressed and heat stressed conditions. Therefore, the genomic alphaB-crystallin HSE region in L929 cells appears to be available for binding of putative transcription factors, but methylation in other regions of the gene or genome repress the expression of alphaB-crystallin in L929 cells. In vitro culture of L929 cells appears to have rendered the alphaB-crystallin gene loci inactive through methylation, thus providing a unique system by which to study the function of transfected small heat shock proteins.

The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate enhances the heat-induced stress response

Induction of heat shock gene expression is mediated by specific heat shock transcription factors (HSFs), but the signaling pathways leading to activation of HSFs are poorly understood. To elucidate whether protein kinase C-responsive signaling pathways could be involved in the regulation of heat shock gene expression, we have examined the effects of the protein kinase C activator 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) on the heat-induced stress response in K562 cells. We demonstrate that TPA treatment markedly enhances heat shock gene expression during heat stress, although TPA alone does not induce the heat shock response. This TPA-mediated enhancement can initially be detected as an accelerated acquisition of DNA binding and transcriptional activity of HSF1 resulting in elevated Hsp70 protein concentrations. In the presence of TPA, the attenuation of HSF1 DNA binding activity during continuous exposure to heat shock occurs more rapidly and in concert with the appearance of newly synthesized Hsp70, which supports earlier studies on the autoregulatory role of Hsp70 in deactivation of HSF1. During heat stress, a correlation between the hyperphosphorylation of HSF1 and its transcriptional activity was observed, in both the presence and the absence of TPA. Our results show that the heat-induced stress response can be significantly modulated by activation of protein kinase C-responsive signaling pathways.

Differential expression of heat shock 70 proteins in primary cultures from rat cerebellum

While a number of studies have described the heat shock response in established cell lines and in primary cultures of cells derived from the nervous system, there has been no systematic analysis comparing expression and localization of the inducible heat shock 70 (hsp70) proteins and the constitutively synthesized members of the family (hsc70) in neurons and glia. In the present communication, we utilized specific probes to compare the expression of hsp70 and hsc70 mRNAs and proteins in two types of primary cultures, astroglial and neuro-astroglial, from postnatal rat cerebellum. Conditions were adjusted to maintain physiological numbers of microglia in both types of culture, and cultures were analyzed at a number of different time points following a precisely defined heat shock. The northern, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analyses resulted in a number of novel observations concerning the nature of the heat shock response in these neuronal and glial cells. In postnatal day 4-5 cultures, hsp70 mRNA levels were elevated for at least 10 h in both types of culture, but in situ hybridization analysis showed no evidence for hsp70 mRNAs in neurons. Microglia were the only cell type in which hsp70 was detected in non-stressed cultures and this cell type contained the highest concentrations of hsp70 proteins in stressed cultures. Hsc70 mRNA levels were also increased after heat shock, but the increase was more transient. Hsc70 mRNAs and proteins were present in all cell types, again with the highest concentrations being present in microglia. Hsc70 mRNAs and proteins were localized in the cytoplasm at all time points examined, with hsc70 protein also being localized in nucleoli. Hsp70 mRNAs and proteins were diffusely localized over nuclei of astrocytes, as well as of most microglia. Hsp70, but not hsc70, was localized on chromosomes in glia once they had resumed cell division after heat shock, suggesting a role for hsp70 either in targeting damaged chromosomal proteins or in cell division. Some cytoplasmic hsp70 was observed in astrocytes of the mixed neuro-astroglial cultures and a delayed hsp70 immunoreactivity was observed in granule neurons in these cultures, suggesting either that translation of low levels of hsp70 mRNAs was more efficient in neurons, or that glial-neuronal translocation of hsp70 proteins had taken place. These results suggest that metabolism and functions of different heat shock protein family members may not always be identical and that care must be taken in extrapolation of results from one cell type to another.

Modulation of thermal induction of hsp70 expression by Ku autoantigen or its individual subunits

Previously, we proposed a dual control mechanism for the regulation of the heat shock response in mammalian cells: a positive control mediated by the heat shock transcription factor HSF1 and a negative control mediated by the constitutive heat shock element-binding factor (CHBF). To study the physiological role of CHBF in the regulation of heat shock response, we purified CHBF to apparent homogeneity and showed it to be identical to the Ku autoantigen, a heterodimer consisting of 70-kDa (Ku-70) and 86-kDa (Ku-80) polypeptides. To study further the functional significance of Ku/CHBF in the cellular response to heat shock, we established rodent cell lines that stably and constitutively overexpressed one or both subunits of the human Ku protein, and examined the thermal induction of hsp70 and other heat shock proteins in these Ku-overexpressing ing cells. We show that expression of the human Ku-70 and Ku-80 subunits jointly or of the Ku-70 subunit alone specifically inhibits heat-induced hsp70 expression. Conversely, expression of human Ku-80 alone does not have this effect. Thermal induction of other heat shock proteins in all of the Ku-overexpressing cell lines appears not to be significantly affected, nor is the state of phosphorylation or the DNA-binding ability of HSF1 affected. These findings support a model in which hsp70 expression is controlled by a second regulatory factor in addition to the positive activation of HSF1. The Ku protein, specifically the Ku-70 subunit, is involved in the regulation of hsp70 gene expression.

Neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells is accompanied by diminished inducibility of Hsp70 and Hsp60 in response to heat and ethanol

The stress response of PC12 cells was characterized by evaluating the production of heat shock proteins of the 70 kDa (Hsp70), 60 kDa (Hsp60) and 90 kDa (Hsp90) families by western blot analysis. Induction of Hsp synthesis was elicited by brief exposure to elevated temperatures or by addition of ethanol to the cultures. Normal PC12 cells responded to stress with rapid up-regulation of Hsp70 and Hsp60 production. However, fully differentiated PC12 cells (induced by nerve growth factor, NGF) failed to produce Hsp70 or Hsp60 in response to heat or ethanol treatment. The disappearance of the heat shock response of the cells was directly related to the extent of neuronal differentiation. The cellular levels of the constitutive proteins, Hsc70 and Hsp90, were not altered by differentiation of the cells. Production of Hsps was restored in the differentiated cells by removal of NGF which coincided with the loss of neurite expression and retraction of processes.

In vivo activation of neural heat shock transcription factor HSF1 by a physiologically relevant increase in body temperature

Molecular mechanisms which underlie the heat shock response have commonly been analyzed using tissue culture systems, with less investigation of the intact mammal. In tissue culture, a temperature elevation of 5 degrees C is required to activate mammalian heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) to the DNA-binding form. We demonstrate that a physiologically relevant increase in body temperature of 2.5 +/- 0.2 degrees C, similar to that attained during fever reactions, is sufficient to activate HSF1 in the rabbit nervous system. Maximal HSF activation, as measured by gel mobility shift assay, was attained at 1 hr with the cerebellum showing the strongest signal. Supershift experiments with antibodies specific to HSF1 and HSF2 demonstrated that the signal reflected activation of HSF1. Western blot analysis showed that cerebellum exhibited high levels of HSF1 protein.

Structural organization of the gene encoding the neuroendocrine chaperone 7B2

The neuroendocrine-specific polypeptide 7B2 is a constituent of the regulated secretary pathway. Recently, 7B2 was found to function as a molecular chaperone for prohormone convertase PC2. This report describes the genomic organization of the 7B2 gene which consists of six exons. Exon I corresponds to the 5'-untranslated mRNA region, while exons 2 and 3 encode the signal peptide and the amino-terminal half of the 7B2 protein that is distantly related to a subclass of molecular chaperones. The carboxy-terminal half of 7B2, responsible for its inhibitory action on PC2, is encoded by exons 4-6. Primer-extension analysis showed that the human 7B2 gene is transcribed from multiple transcription-initiation sites. The human 7B2 gene promoter contains a cAMP-responsive element, an AP-1 site, and several Pit-1/GHF-1-binding domains and heat-shock-element-like sequences but no obvious TATA or CAAT boxes. Of further interest is the finding of two DNA elements which are common to the promoter regions of the 7B2 gene and other genes selectively expressed in neuroendocrine tissues.

Expression of mRNA species encoding heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) in control and hyperthermic rabbit brain

Northern blot and in situ hybridization were employed to investigate regional and cell type differences in the expression of hsp90 mRNA species in control and hyperthermic rabbit brain. Riboprobes specific to hsp90 alpha and beta mRNA species were utilized in time-course Northern blot studies on cerebral hemispheres and the cerebellum. Following hyperthermia, levels of hsp90 alpha and beta mRNA were elevated in both brain regions; however, the magnitude of induction was more robust in the cerebellum than in cerebral hemispheres. The pattern of expression of hsp90 genes in rabbit brain was analyzed by in situ hybridization. These studies revealed that hsp90 genes are preferentially expressed in neuronal cell populations in the unstressed mammalian brain. The distribution of hsp90 alpha and beta mRNA was similar, though the signal for the latter was stronger. Following hyperthermia, changes were not detected in the pattern of hsp90 beta mRNA expression in the hippocampus. In the cerebellum, a rapid induction of hsp90 beta mRNA was apparent in the neuron-enriched granule cell layer, followed by a delayed accumulation in Purkinje neurons. Unlike hsp70, induction of hsp90 was not detected in glial cells of hyperthermic rabbit brain. The localization of hsp90 to neurons suggests that this heat shock protein plays an important role in neuronal function.

Thermotolerance and heat shock proteins: possible involvement of Ku autoantigen in regulating Hsp70 expression

Here we characterize and compare the phenomenon of thermotolerance and permanent heat resistance in mammalian cells. The biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of thermotolerance, and the role that heat shock proteins play in its development and decay are discussed. Finally, we describe a novel constitutive HSE-binding factor (CHBF/Ku) that appears to be involved in the regulation of the heat shock response.

The transcriptional regulation of heat shock genes: a plethora of heat shock factors and regulatory conditions

The inducible regulation of heat shock gene transcription is mediated by a family of heat shock factors (HSF) that respond to diverse forms of physiological and environmental stress including elevated temperature, amino acid analogs, heavy metals, oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory drugs, arachidonic acid, and a number of pathophysiological disease states. The vertebrate genome encodes a family of HSFs which are expressed ubiquitously, yet the DNA binding properties of each factor are negatively regulated and activated in response to specific conditions. This chapter will discuss the regulation of the HSF multi-gene family and the role of these transcriptional activators in the inducible expression of genes encoding heat shock proteins and molecular chaperones.

Methylation-associated transcriptional silencing of the major histocompatibility complex-linked hsp70 genes in mouse cell lines

The MHC-linked hsp70 locus consists of duplicated genes, hsp70.1 and hsp70.3, which in primary mouse embryo cells are highly heat shock-inducible. Several mouse cell lines in which hsp70 expression is not activated by heat shock have been described previously, but the basis for the deficiency has not been identified. In this study, genomic footprinting analysis has identified a common basis for the deficient response of the hsp70.1 gene to heat shock in four such cell lines, viz., the promoter is inaccessible to transcription factors, including heat shock transcription factor. Southern blot analyses reveal extensive CpG methylation of a 1.2-kilobase region spanning the hsp70.1 transcription start site and hypermethylation of the adjacent hsp70.3 gene, which is presumably also inaccessible to regulatory factors. Of four additional, randomly chosen mouse cell lines, three show no or minimal hsp70.3 heat shock responsiveness and CpG methylation of both hsp70 genes, and two of the three lines exhibit a suboptimal hsp70.1 response to heat shock as well. In all three lines, the accessibility of the hsp70.1 promoter to transcription factors is detectable but clearly diminished (relative to that in primary mouse cells). Our results suggest that the tandem hsp70 genes are concomitantly methylated and transcriptionally repressed with high frequency in cultured mouse cells.

Thermosensitive phenotype of transgenic mice overproducing human glutathione peroxidases

Exposure of humans and other mammals to hyperthermic conditions elicits many physiological responses to stress in various tissues leading to profound injuries, which eventually result in death. It has been suggested that hyperthermia may increase oxidative stress in tissues to form reactive oxygen species harmful to cellular functions. By using transgenic mice with human antioxidant genes, we demonstrate that the overproduction of glutathione peroxidase (GP, both extracellular and intracellular) leads to a thermosensitive phenotype, whereas the overproduction of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase has no effect on the thermosensitivity of transgenic mice. Induction of HSP70 in brain, lung, and muscle in GP transgenic mice at elevated temperature was significantly inhibited in comparison to normal animals. Measurement of peroxide production in regions normally displaying induction of HSP70 under hyperthermia revealed high levels of peroxides in normal mice and low levels in GP transgenic mice. There was also a significant difference between normal and intracellular GP transgenic mice in level of prostaglandin E2 in hypothalamus and cerebellum. These data suggest direct participation of peroxides in induction of cytoprotective proteins (HSP70) and cellular mechanisms regulating body temperature. GP transgenic mice provide a model for studying thermoregulation and processes involving actions of hydroxy and lipid peroxides in mammals.

The carboxyl-terminal transactivation domain of heat shock factor 1 is negatively regulated and stress responsive

We have characterized a stress-responsive transcriptional activation domain of mouse heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) by using chimeric GAL4-HSF1 fusion proteins. Fusion of the GAL4 DNA-binding domain to residues 124 to 503 of HSF1 results in a chimeric factor that binds DNA yet lacks any transcriptional activity. Transactivation is acquired upon exposure to heat shock or by deletion of a negative regulatory domain including part of the DNA-binding-domain-proximal leucine zippers. Analysis of a collection of GAL4-HSF1 deletion mutants revealed the minimal region for the constitutive transcriptional activator to map within the extreme carboxyl-terminal 108 amino acids, corresponding to a region rich in acidic and hydrophobic residues. Loss of residues 395 to 425 or 451 to 503, which are located at either end of this activation domain, severely diminished activity, indicating that the entire domain is required for transactivation. The minimal activation domain of HSF1 also confers enhanced transcriptional response to heat shock or cadmium treatment. These results demonstrate that the transcriptional activation domain of HSF1 is negatively regulated and that the signal for stress induction is mediated by interactions between the amino-terminal negative regulator and the carboxyl-terminal transcriptional activation domain.