Murine 86- and 84-kDa Heat Shock Proteins, cDNA Sequences, Chromosome Assignments, and Evolutionary Origins

Molecular Cloning of Heat Shock Protein 60 (SpHSP60) from Schizothorax prenanti and the Gene Expressions of Four SpHSPs during Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Infection

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a key role in anti-stress and immune processes and are associated with autoimmune diseases. In order to explore the immunological role of HSPs from Schizothorax prenanti (S. prenanti), SpHSP60 was cloned for the first time in this study, and the gene expressions of SpHSP27, SpHSP60, SpHSP70 and SpHSP90 in the hepatopancreas, head kidney, hindgut and spleen were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) after treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The open reading frame of the SpHSP60 gene (GenBank accession number ON245159) is 1728 bp. It encodes a protein of 575 amino acids. Its C-terminus is a highly conserved and repeated glycine sequence, which is an important cofactor in ATP binding. Compared with the control group, most of the SpHSPs were significantly upregulated in the tissues examined at 12 or 24 h after LPS challenge. The most abundant expression of SpHSP70 was found in the head kidney at 24 h after LPS injection, followed by SpHSP27 in the spleen at 24 h; both of these SpHSPs displayed strong expression under the LPS stresses, about 20–70 fold more than that of SpHSP60 and SpHSP90. The temporal expression patterns of the four SpHSP genes were different in the four tissues examined. Taken together, the results suggest that SpHSP27, SpHSP60, SpHSP70 and SpHSP90 participate in innate immunity stimulated by LPS, and the response intensity of the SpHSPs was organ-specific, indicating they could provide early warning information against bacterial infection. The findings in our study will contribute to better understanding the biological processes and important roles of SpHSPs involved in defending against pathogenic bacterial challenge.

The Mitochondrial Hsp90 TRAP1 and Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, characterised by intra- and extracellular protein aggregation. In AD, the cellular protein quality control (PQC) system is derailed and fails to prevent the formation of these aggregates. Especially the mitochondrial paralogue of the conserved Hsp90 chaperone class, tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1), is strongly downregulated in AD, more than other major PQC factors. Here, we review molecular mechanism and cellular function of TRAP1 and subsequently discuss possible links to AD. TRAP1 is an interesting paradigm for the Hsp90 family, as it chaperones proteins with vital cellular function, despite not being regulated by any of the co-chaperones that drive its cytosolic paralogues. TRAP1 encloses late folding intermediates in a non-active state. Thereby, it is involved in the assembly of the electron transport chain, and it favours the switch from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. Another key function is that it ensures mitochondrial integrity by regulating the mitochondrial pore opening through Cyclophilin D. While it is still unclear whether TRAP1 itself is a driver or a passenger in AD, it might be a guide to identify key factors initiating neurodegeneration.

Inhibition of HSP90β by ganetespib blocks the microglial signalling of evoked pro-inflammatory responses to heat shock

Although microglial reaction to heat shock is considered to be protective, heat shock is still a potential hazard caused by high temperatures. Recent studies indicate that the inhibition of the 90-kDa heat shock protein (HSP90) increasing the protective heat shock response and suppressing inflammatory signalling pathways in several diseases. Nevertheless, the effects of heat shock on microglial pro-inflammatory responses are not completely identical. Here, we aim to investigate the effect of the HSP90 inhibitor ganetespib on microglial pro-inflammatory responses following heat shock. HSP90 isoforms were determined by transfecting N9 microglial cells (N9 cells) with enzymatically prepared siRNA (esiRNAs). We found that heat shock significantly increased the secretion of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and nitric oxide (NO), and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor alpha (IκB-α) and p65 nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (p65 NF-κB) in N9 cells. These increases, except for phospho-p65, were attenuated efficiently in a dose-dependent manner by ganetespib pretreatment. Furthermore, the suppression of heat shock-evoked cytokines and NO production, and the phosphorylation of ERK, JAK2 and STAT3 in cytosols and/or nuclei were also observed by administering esiRNA HSP90β, but not HSP90α, in heat shock-treated N9 cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the HSP90 inhibitor ganetespib blocks pro-inflammatory responses in heat shock-treated N9 cells via a signalling mechanism involving HSP90β and STAT3.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of Hsp90 in Schizothorax prenanti

Aquatic animals suffer from various environmental stresses because the aquatic environment is a very complex system. To monitor the health status of fish, Hsp90 a potential early warning marker was determined in Schizothorax prenanti after infection with a bacterium. In this study, we cloned Hsp90 from S. prenanti for the first time. The full-length cDNA sequence of SpHsp90 was 2663 bp, contains an open reading frame of 2181 bp, and has a gene encoding 726 amino acids, an estimated molecular mass of 83.38 kDa, and a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.91. The SpHsp90 amino acid sequence has five conserved HSP90 family signatures and shares 87.0-95.5 % identity with other vertebrates. Phylogenetic analysis and structure comparison indicated that SpHsp90 should be a β isoform of the HSP90 family. SpHsp90 was ubiquitously expressed in all examined tissues, and the highest level of expression was in the kidney. After Streptococcus agalactiae infection, the level of SpHsp90 expression had significant changes (P < 0.05) in the hepatopancreas, spleen, kidney, and blood. The expression increased to the highest level at 6 h in the blood and at 24 h in the hepatopancreas, spleen, and kidney. The results suggested that the SpHsp90 gene could be induced by S. agalactiae in S. prenanti and that SpHsp90 may be involved in resistance to bacterial infection and provide an early warning information. The kidney is the most suitable for detecting SpHsp90 after bacterial infection.

Understanding the role of heat shock protein isoforms in male fertility, aging and apoptosis

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a role in the homeostasis, apoptosis regulation and the maintenance of the various other physiological processes. Aging is accompanied by a decrease in the resistance to environmental stress, while mitochondria are primary targets in the process of aging, their expression decreasing with age. Mitochondrion also plays a significant role in the process of spermatogenesis. HSPs have been shown to be involved in apoptosis with some of acting as apoptotic inhibitors and are involved in cytoprotection. In this review we discuss the roles of Hsp 27, 60, 70, and 90 in aging and male infertility and have concluded that these particular HSPs can be used as a molecular markers for mitochondrially- mediated apoptosis, aging and male infertility.

Identification and characterization of novel ER-based hsp90 gene in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a highly conserved molecular chaperone found in all species except for Archaea, which is required not only for stress tolerance but also for normal development. Recently, it was reported that HSP83, one member of the cytosolic HSP90 family, contributes to oogenesis and responds to heat resistance in Tribolium castaneum. Here, a novel ER-based HSP90 gene, Tchsp90, has been identified in T. castaneum. Phylogenetic analysis showed that hsp90s and hsp83s evolved separately from a common ancestor but that hsp90s originated earlier. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction illustrated that Tchsp90 is expressed in all developmental stages and is highly expressed at early pupa and late adult stages. Tchsp90 was upregulated in response to heat stress but not to cold stress. Laval RNAi revealed that Tchsp90 is important for larval/pupal development. Meanwhile, parental RNAi indicated that it completely inhibited female fecundity and partially inhibited male fertility once Tchsp90 was knocked down and that it will further shorten the lifespan of T. castaneum. These results suggest that Tchsp90 is essential for development, lifespan, and reproduction in T. castaneum in addition to its response to heat stress.

Assessment and reconstruction of novel HSP90 genes: duplications, gains and losses in fungal and animal lineages

Hsp90s, members of the Heat Shock Protein class, protect the structure and function of proteins and play a significant task in cellular homeostasis and signal transduction. In order to determine the number of hsp90 gene copies and encoded proteins in fungal and animal lineages and through that key duplication events that this family has undergone, we collected and evaluated Hsp90 protein sequences and corresponding Expressed Sequence Tags and analyzed available genomes from various taxa. We provide evidence for duplication events affecting either single species or wider taxonomic groups. With regard to Fungi, duplicated genes have been detected in several lineages. In invertebrates, we demonstrate key duplication events in certain clades of Arthropoda and Mollusca, and a possible gene loss event in a hymenopteran family. Finally, we infer that the duplication event responsible for the two (a and b) isoforms in vertebrates occurred probably shortly after the split of Hyperoartia and Gnathostomata.

Cloning and characterization of the HSP90 beta gene from Tanichthys albonubes Lin (Cyprinidae): effect of copper and cadmium exposure

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a highly conserved molecular chaperone important in the maturation of a broad spectrum of proteins. In order to evaluate the effect of copper (Cu(2+)) and cadmium (Cd(2+)) on the expression of HSP90 from Tanichthys albonubes (designated TaHSP90), the full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) of TaHSP90 was cloned using reverse transcription PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques. A 2,687-bp sequence was sequenced and consisted of an open reading frame (ORF) of 2,181 bp encoding a polypeptide of 727 amino acids with five HSP90 family signatures. Homologous analysis revealed that TaHSP90 gene shared high similarity with other known HSP90 genes and belonged to HSP90β subtype. Fluorescent real-time quantitative PCR was used to examine the expression pattern of TaHSP90β mRNA in different tissues (liver, muscle, gill, fin, eye, ovary, intestine and brain), and the result indicated that TaHSP90β was widely expressed in all examined tissues at different levels. Sensitivity of TaHSP90β to copper and cadmium was examined by exposing fish to different concentrations of Cu(2+) (0, 13.50 and 27.00 μg/L) and Cd(2+) (0, 1.15, 2.31 mg/L) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, respectively. The copper treatment induced TaHSP90β expression slight increase only at 24 and 48 h, while cadmium treatment caused slight down-regulation of TaHSP90β only 72 and 96 h. Our data suggest that the cloning and expression analysis of T. albonubes HSP90β gene provided useful molecular information of T. albonubes responses in stress conditions and potential ways to monitor the chronic stressors in T. albonubes culture environments.

Studies on the protective efficacy and immunogenicity of Hsp70 and Hsp83 based vaccine formulations in Leishmania donovani infected BALB/c mice

Visceral leishmaniasis, a chronic systemic infection, is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in many parts of world. The current drugs for the treatment of leishmaniasis are toxic, expensive, difficult to administer and becoming ineffective due to the emergence of drug resistance. In the absence of effective treatment, vaccination remains the only hope for control of the disease. We have evaluated the protective efficacy of two heat shock proteins (Hsp70 and Hsp83) in combination with two different adjuvants (MPLA and ALD) in Leishmania donovani infected inbred BALB/c mice. The proteins were isolated by SDS-PAGE and the mice were immunized subcutaneously with Hsp70+Hsp83, Hsp70+Hsp83+ALD and Hsp70+Hsp83+MPLA. These were challenged with 10(7) promastigotes of L. donovani. The animals were sacrificed on 30, 60 and 90 days post challenge for the assessment of parasite load and generation of cellular and humoral immune responses. The vaccines induced a strong protective response against experimental visceral leishmaniasis as shown by reduced parasite load in liver of all immunized groups as compared to the infected controls. The vaccines also led to the augmentation of DTH responses, increased levels of IgG2a, IFN-γ and IL-2. Both the adjuvants raised significantly the level of protection imparted by the proteins but MPLA was more effective in comparison to ALD.

Toxicology mechanism of the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fish through AhR pathway

With the development of industry and agriculture, the cases of cancer and tumor have been increasing gradually in the last 30 years, and quite a few cases are caused by persistent organic pollutants (POPs), some of them belonging to environmental endocrine disruptors, and they have become ubiquitous in the environment, especially in the aquatic ecosystem; so this issue has aroused the extensive attention of the world. The mechanism of POPs toxicology is very complicated, but it is mainly mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway in fish. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the AhR pathway, the present paper focuses on reviewing it from four major steps, including formation of cytosolic complex, translocation of AhR, heterodimerization of AhR, and induction of CYP1A. This study summarized the isoform numbers of AhR pathway genes and the expression patterns in the regulation process of POPs toxicology in zebrafish.

KLF4 is a novel regulator of the constitutively expressed HSP90

Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc finger-containing transcription factor with diverse regulatory functions in cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. But little is known about the regulation of KLF4 on the expression of HSP90 (HSP84 and HSP86). In the current study, overexpression of KLF4 was firstly identified to promote the basal expression of HSP90 (HSP84 and HSP86) but not the inducible expression in the C2C12 cells and RAW264.7 cells. Conversely, KLF4 inhibition by antisense oligonucleotides markedly decreased the constitutive expression of HSP90 (HSP84 and HSP86). Here, we also presented data that overexpression of KLF4 resulted in enhanced promoter activities of HSP84. Consistently, KLF4 bind to the KLF4 binding sites in the promoter regions of HSP84 directly. Together, these findings support a role for KLF4 as a novel regulator of the constitutive expression of HSP90.

Control mechanisms of differential translation of Hsp90 isoforms in 9L rat gliosarcoma cells

Although the differential expression of heat shcok proteins, Hsp90alpha and Hsp90beta was extensively studied in many kinds of cells, the post-transcriptional regulation of Hsp90 isoforms remains unclear. In control and GA-treated rat gliosarcoma cells, it has been reported that the translational efficiency of hsp90alpha is higher than hsp90beta. In this study, we present evidences identifying the roles for leaky scanning and 5'-UTR sequence in translational regulation of Hsp90beta. The result of in vitro transcription and translation (IVTT) experiment showed that hsp90alpha exhibited higher translation efficiency than hsp90beta. Sequence analysis revealed that there is an out-of-frame downstream AUG codon in hsp90beta gene. However, elimination of the downstream AUG by site-directly mutagenesis or introducing Kozak context sequence around the initiator AUG of hsp90beta open reading frame increased its translational efficiency, which indicated that leaky scanning might be a possible mechanism regulating hsp90beta. Furthermore, we also constructed a firefly luciferase reporter system to verify the effect of subsequent translation at the downstream out-of-frame AUG codon in 9L and A549 cells. Furthermore, it is believed that 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) also plays a significant role in translational control. We showed hsp90beta 5'-UTR gives rise to the reduction of the translation efficiency in IVTT experiment. Additionally, the reductive effect of hsp90beta 5'-UTR was further confirmed by luciferase reporter assay using truncated deletion analyses of 5'-UTR of hsp90beta. Our results support the hypothesis that ribosome leaky scanning mechanism and 5'-UTR sequence acts as negative regulators in hsp90beta mRNA.

Circadian expression of 86- and 84-kDa heat shock proteins in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus

Circadian rhythm pervades in many aspects of the biological processes including basic cellular functions. Here we examined the circadian gene expression of two forms of 90 kDa heat shock proteins referred to HSP86 and HSP84 in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus, the circadian center. In both light-dark, and constant dark conditions, Hsp86 mRNA showed an overt circadian rhythm showing a peak at (subjective) night and a trough at (subjective) day. Hsp84 mRNA also showed the similar expression profile, but the amplitude was weaker. These results indicate that gene expression of molecular chaperone such as Hsp86 and Hsp84 are regulated by the circadian clock.

Proteomic identification of differentially expressed genes in mouse neural stem cells and neurons differentiated from embryonic stem cells in vitro

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent stem cells and give rise to a variety of differentiated cell types including neurons. To study a molecular basis for differentiation from ES cells to neural cells, we searched for proteins involved in mouse neurogenesis from ES cells to neural stem (NS) cells and neurons by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and peptide mass fingerprinting, using highly homogeneous cells differentiated from ES cells in vitro. We newly identified seven proteins with increased expression and one protein with decreased expression from ES cells to NS cells, and eight proteins with decreased expression from NS cells to neurons. Western blot analysis confirmed that a tumor-specific transplantation antigen, HS90B, decreased, and an extracellular matrix and membrane glycoprotein (such as laminin)-binding protein, galectin 1 (LEG1), increased in NS cells, and LEG1 and a cell adhesion receptor, laminin receptor (RSSA), decreased in neurons. The results of RT-PCR showed that mRNA of LEG1 was also up-regulated in NS cells and down-regulated in neurons, implying an important role of LEG1 in regulating the differentiation. The differentially expressed proteins identified here provide insight into the molecular basis of neurogenesis from ES cells to NS cells and neurons.

Substitution of only two residues of human Hsp90alpha causes impeded dimerization of Hsp90beta

Two isoforms of the 90-kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp90), i.e., Hsp90alpha and Hsp90beta, are expressed in the cytosol of mammalian cells. Although Hsp90 predominantly exists as a dimer, the dimer-forming potential of the beta isoform of human and mouse Hsp90 is less than that of the alpha isoform. The 16 amino acid substitutions located in the 561-685 amino acid region of the C-terminal dimerization domain should be responsible for this impeded dimerization of Hsp90beta (Nemoto T, Ohara-Nemoto Y, Ota M, Takagi T, Yokoyama K. Eur J Biochem 233: 1-8, 1995). The present study was performed to define the amino acid substitutions that cause the impeded dimerization of Hsp90beta. Bacterial two-hybrid analysis revealed that among the 16 amino acids, the conversion from Ala(558) of Hsp90beta to Thr(566) of Hsp90alpha and that from Met(621) of Hsp90beta to Ala(629) of Hsp90alpha most efficiently reversed the dimeric interaction, and that the inverse changes from those of Hsp90alpha to Hsp90beta primarily explained the impeded dimerization of Hsp90beta We conclude that taken together, the conversion of Thr(566) and Ala(629) of Hsp90alpha to Ala(558) and Met(621) is primarily responsible for impeded dimerization of Hsp90beta.

Calpain activation causes a proteasome-dependent increase in protein degradation and inhibits the Akt signalling pathway in rat diaphragm muscle

The role of the calpain proteases in skeletal muscle atrophy is poorly understood. One goal of these experiments was to clarify whether calpains act upstream of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP). Calpain activation may also inhibit the anabolic signalling of Akt, since a molecular chaperone previously shown to mediate Akt activity, heat shock protein 90 (HSP 90), is a calpain substrate. Thus, an additional objective was to determine whether calpain activation affects the Akt signalling pathway. Ex vivo experiments were conducted using isolated rat diaphragm muscle. Calpain activation increased total protein degradation by 65%. Proteasome inhibition prevented this large rise in proteolysis, demonstrating that the proteasome was necessary for calpain-activated protein degradation. In addition, calpain activation increased proteasome-dependent proteolysis by 144%, further supporting the idea of sequential proteolytic pathways. Calpain reduced Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation by 35 and 50%, respectively, and activated glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3beta) by 40%. Additionally, calpain activation reduced HSP 90beta and mTOR protein content by 33 and 50%, respectively. These data suggest that calpains play a dual role in protein metabolism by concomitantly activating proteasome-dependent proteolysis and inhibiting the Akt pathway of protein synthesis.

Hsp90alpha chaperones large C-terminally extended proteolytic intermediates in the MHC class I antigen processing pathway

Intracellular proteins are degraded in the antigen processing pathway to generate peptide-loaded MHC I complexes (pMHC I) for immune surveillance. The characteristics of the final pMHC I are clear but those of their precursors and their potential binding partners remain poorly defined. By using a unique method to biochemically detect preprocessed ovalbumin-derived antigenic peptides, we find that cells generate large, C-terminally extended proteolytic intermediates that are associated with the alpha isotype of hsp90 chaperone. Knockdown of hsp90alpha expression by siRNA resulted in the loss of these intermediates and decreased presentation of the final pMHC I on the cell surface. Generation of pMHC I was also inhibited by knockdown of the cochaperone CHIP that interacts with heat shock proteins, ubiquitinates their clients, and delivers them to the proteasome. Thus, hsp90alpha can serve as a chaperone for precursors of pMHC I at an early stage in the antigen processing pathway.

Upregulation and intrarenal redistribution of heat shock proteins 90alpha and 90beta by low-sodium diet in the rat

Two genes encoding isoforms heat shock protein (Hsp) 90alpha and Hsp90beta constitute the Hsp90 subfamily. In addition to their role in regulating mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors, these proteins have been associated with nitric oxide production. However, little is known regarding Hsp90 isoform expression and regulation in kidney. In this study we characterized the expression and localization of Hsp90 isoforms and evaluated the influence of low-sodium intake on their expression and distribution in kidney by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry techniques. We found that Hsp90alpha and Hsp90beta were expressed abundantly in both the renal cortex and the medulla; however, Hsp90 isoform expression was higher in the medulla than in the cortex. Immunohistochemistry of Hsp90alpha and Hsp90beta showed intense staining in the apical membrane of proximal and distal tubules. In the outer cortex these proteins were localized intracytosolically, whereas in the inner renal medulla they were restricted mainly to the basolateral membrane. Expression of Hsp9alpha and Hsp90beta was upregulated in the renal cortex during sodium restriction. In addition, both proteins exhibited redistribution from the cytoplasm to the basolateral side in thick ascending limb cells when rats were fed with a low-salt diet. Our results showed that Hsp90alpha and Hsp90beta were expressed abundantly in renal tissue. Expression and localization patterns under normal and salt-restricted intake were different between the cortex and the medulla, suggesting that these proteins may be involved in different processes along the nephron. Hsp90alpha and Hsp90beta upregulation induced by a low-sodium diet together with redistribution in thick ascending limb cells suggests that Hsp90 plays a role in the modulation of sodium reabsorption under these circumstances.

Hsp90: an emerging target for breast cancer therapy

Rapidly evolving insights into the specific molecular genetic abnormalities that drive the growth and metastasis of breast cancer have led to the development of targeted therapeutics that do not rely on the generalized disruption of DNA metabolism and cell division for activity. Of particular interest are inhibitors of cellular signal transduction pathways involving tyrosine kinases as well as selective modulators of steroid hormone signaling, histone acetylation, angiogenesis and tumor cell apoptosis. Unique within this array of promising new agents, however, are compounds that target heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). This molecular chaperone associates with a distinct, but surprisingly diverse, set of proteins that are referred to as Hsp90 client proteins. Hsp90 binds to these clients, and plays a key role in regulating their stability and function. Many of the proteins chaperoned by Hsp90 are involved in breast cancer progression and resistance to therapy, including the estrogen receptor, receptor tyrosine kinases of the erbB family, Akt, and mutant p53. Several small molecule inhibitors of Hsp90 have been identified that can deplete cellular levels of multiple oncogenic client proteins simultaneously by enhancing their ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation. The activity of Hsp90 inhibitors has been well validated in preclinical breast cancer models, both in single-agent studies and in combination with conventional chemotherapy. One of these inhibitors, 17-allylamino, 17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG, NSC 330507) has recently completed phase I testing. The agent was well tolerated at drug exposures that were shown to cause modulation of Hsp90 client protein levels. Given the redundancy and complexity of the molecular abnormalities present in most breast cancers, the ability of Hsp90 inhibitors to alter the activity of multiple oncogenic targets may prove of unique therapeutic benefit.

Quantitative proteomics analysis of specific protein expression and oxidative modification in aged senescence-accelerated-prone 8 mice brain

The senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) is a murine model of accelerated senescence that was established using phenotypic selection. The SAMP series includes nine substrains, each of which exhibits characteristic disorders. SAMP8 is known to exhibit age-dependent learning and memory deficits. In our previous study, we reported that brains from 12-month-old SAMP8 have greater protein oxidation, as well as lipid peroxidation, compared with brains from 4-month-old SAMP8 mice. In order to investigate the relation between age-associated oxidative stress on specific protein oxidation and age-related learning and memory deficits in SAMP8, we used proteomics to identify proteins that are expressed differently and/or modified oxidatively in aged SAMP8 brains. We report here that in 12 month SAMP8 mice brains the expressions of neurofilament triplet L protein, lactate dehydrogenase 2 (LDH-2), heat shock protein 86, and alpha-spectrin are significantly decreased, while the expression of triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) is increased compared with 4-month-old SAMP8 brains. We also report that the specific protein carbonyl levels of LDH-2, dihydropyrimidinase-like protein 2, alpha-spectrin and creatine kinase, are significantly increased in the brain of 12-month-old SAMP8 mice when compared with the 4-month-old SAMP8 brain. These findings are discussed in reference to the effect of specific protein oxidation and changes of expression on potential mechanisms of abnormal alterations in metabolism and neurochemicals, as well as to the learning and memory deficits in aged SAMP8 mice.

Adaptive role of increased frequency of polypurine tracts in mRNA sequences of thermophilic prokaryotes

The mechanism of an organism's adaptation to high temperatures has been investigated intensively in recent years. It was suggested that the macromolecules of thermophilic microorganisms (especially proteins) have structural features that enhance their thermostability. We compared mRNA sequences of 72 fully sequenced prokaryotic proteomes (14 thermophilic and 58 mesophilic species). Although the differences between the percentage of adenine plus guanine content of whole mRNAs of different prokaryotic species are much lower than those of guanine plus cytosine content, the thermophile purine-pyrimidine (R/Y) ratio within their mRNAs is significantly higher than that of the mesophiles. The first and third codon positions of both thermophiles and mesophiles are purine-biased, with the bias more pronounced by the thermophiles. Thermophile mRNAs that display the highest R/Y ratio (1.43-1.69) are those of the ribosomal proteins, histone-like proteins, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase subunits, and heat-shock proteins. Within mesophilic prokaryotes and five eukaryotic species, the R/Y ratio of the mRNAs of heat-shock proteins is higher than their average over coding part of the genome. Polypurine tracts (R)(n) (with n > or = 5) are much more abundant within the thermophile mRNAs compared with mesophiles. Between two sequential pure-purinic codons of thermophile mRNAs, there is a rather strong tendency for the occurrence of adenine but not guanine tracts. The data suggest that mixed adenine.guanine and polyadenine tracts in mRNAs increase the thermostability beyond the contribution of amino acids encoded by purine tracts, which highlights the importance of ecological stress in the evolution of genome architecture.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of HSP-90 during mammalian sperm capacitation

The process of sperm capacitation is correlated with activation of a signal transduction pathway leading to protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Whereas phosphotyrosine expression is an essential prerequisite for fertilization, the proteins that are phosphorylated during capacitation have not yet been identified. In the present study, we observed that a major target of this signaling pathway is the molecular chaperone protein, heat shock protein (HSP)-86, a member of the HSP-90 family of HSPs. We used cross-immunoprecipitation experiments to confirm the tyrosine phosphorylation of HSP-86, a process that is not inhibited by the ansamycin antibiotic, geldanamycin. The general significance of these findings was confirmed by studies in which HSP-90 was also found to be tyrosine phosphorylated in human and rat spermatozoa when incubated under conditions that support capacitation. To our knowledge, these results represent the first report of a protein that undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation during mouse sperm capacitation and the first study implicating molecular chaperones in the processes by which mammalian spermatozoa gain the ability to fertilize the oocyte.

DNA microarray analysis of hippocampal gene expression measured twelve hours after hypoxia-ischemia in the mouse

Cell death from cerebral ischemia is a dynamic process. In the minutes to days after an ischemic insult, progressive changes in cellular morphology occur. Associated with these events is the regulation of competing programs of gene expression; some are protective against ischemic insult, and others contribute to delayed cell death. Many genes involved in these processes have been identified, but individually, these findings have provided only limited insight into the systems biology of cerebral ischemia. Attempts to characterize the coordinated expression of large numbers of genes in cerebral ischemia has only recently become possible. Today, DNA microarray technology provides a powerful tool for investigating parallel expression changes for thousands of genes at one time. In this study, adult mice were subjected to 30 minutes of hypoxia-ischemia (HI), and the hippocampus was examined 12 hours later for differential gene expression using a 15K high-density mouse EST array. The genomic response to HI is complex, affecting approximately 7% of the total number of ESTs examined. Assigning differentially expressed ESTs to molecular functional groups revealed that HI affects many pathways including the molecular chaperones, transcription factors, kinases, and calcium ion binding genes. A comprehensive list of regulated genes should prove valuable in advancing our understanding of the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia.

Preclinical assessment of the efficacy of mycograb, a human recombinant antibody against fungal HSP90

Mycograb (NeuTec Pharma plc) is a human genetically recombinant antibody against fungal heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Antibody to HSP90 is closely associated with recovery in patients with invasive candidiasis who are receiving amphotericin B (AMB). Using in vitro assays developed for efficacy assessment of chemotherapeutic antifungal drugs, Mycograb showed activity against a wide range of yeast species (MICs against Candida albicans [fluconazole [FLC]-sensitive and FLC-resistant strains], Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, and Candida parapsilosis, 128 to 256 microg/ml). Mycograb (4 or 8 microg/ml) showed synergy with AMB, the fractional inhibitory index being 0.09 to 0.31. Synergy was not evident with FLC, except for FLC-sensitive C. albicans. Murine kinetics showed that Mycograb at 2 mg/kg produced a maximum concentration of drug in serum of 4.7 microg/ml, a half-life at alpha phase of 3.75 min, a half-life at beta phase of 2.34 h, and an area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to t h of 155 microg. min/ml. Mycograb (2 mg/kg) alone produced significant improvement in murine candidiasis caused by each species: (i). a reduction (Scheffe's test, P < 0.05) in the mean organ colony count for the FLC-resistant strain of C. albicans (kidney, liver, and spleen), C. krusei (liver and spleen), C. glabrata (liver and spleen), C. tropicalis (kidney), and C. parapsilosis (kidney, liver, and spleen) and (ii). a statistically significant increase in the number of negative biopsy specimens (Fisher's exact test, P < 0.05) for C. glabrata (kidney), C. tropicalis (liver and spleen), and C. parapsilosis (liver). AMB (0.6 mg/kg) alone cleared the C. tropicalis infection but failed to clear infections caused by C. albicans, C. krusei, C. glabrata, or C. parapsilosis. Synergy with AMB, defined as an increase (Fisher's exact test, P < 0.05) in the number of negative biopsy specimens compared with those obtained using AMB alone, occurred with the FLC-resistant strain of C. albicans (kidney), C. krusei (spleen), C. glabrata (spleen), and C. parapsilosis (liver and spleen). Only by combining Mycograb with AMB was complete resolution of infection achieved for C. albicans, C. krusei, and C. glabrata.

Evolution of heat shock protein and immunity

Heat shock proteins (hsps) are among the most abundant intracellular proteins. Their synthesis is rapidly up-regulated by various 'stressors' including temperature, glucose deprivation, infection and cancer. Certain hsps are able to: (i). associate and chaperone a large variety of cellular peptides; (ii). be efficiently internalized by antigen presenting cells (APC) through receptor-mediated endocytosis; (iii). channel antigenic peptides they chaperone in the APC's MHC class I presentation pathway; (iv). and stimulate inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and co-stimulatory molecules through the NFkappab signaling pathway. Extracellular release of hsps upon necrotic cell death and their modulated access at the surface of some cells, can be considered as a putative 'danger' signal. Based on the ancient origins and structural conservation of hsps, it has been proposed that, the role of hsps in immunity emerged early in evolution and to be widespread in extant organisms. Data from studies with the frog Xenopus support this proposition.

An integrated genetic, radiation hybrid, physical and transcription map of a region of distal mouse chromosome 12, including an imprinted locus and the 'Legs at odd angles' (Loa) mutation

A variety of loci with interesting patterns of regulation such as imprinted expression, and critical functions such as involvement in tumour necrosis factor pathways, map to a distal portion of mouse chromosome 12. This region also contains disease related loci including the 'Legs at odd angles' mutation (Loa) that we are pursuing in a positional cloning project. To further define the region and prepare for comparative sequencing projects, we have produced genetic, radiation hybrid, physical and transcript maps of the region, with probes providing anchors between the maps. We show a summary of 95 markers and 91 genomic clones that has enabled us to identify 18 transcripts including new genes and candidates for Loa which will help in future studies of gene context and regulation.

The homeotic protein dlk is expressed during peripheral nerve development

To investigate the molecular events controlling myelination of the peripheral nervous system, we compared gene expression of normal mouse sciatic nerves to that of the trembler mouse, whose Schwann cells are blocked in a pre-myelinating phenotype. Using cDNA array, we assessed expression levels of 1176 genes, and we found that delta-like protein (dlk), an epidermal growth factor-like homeotic protein, was expressed in the normal developing nerves, but at a low level in the dysmyelinating mutant trembler. Moreover, dlk expression was down-regulated when myelin protein expression was up-regulated, and no expression was observed in the developing brain. These results suggest that dlk expression is required for Schwann cell acquisition of the myelinating phenotype.

Identification of two hsp90 genes in carp

Two hsp90 cDNA isoforms (hsp90alpha and hsp90beta) were isolated from the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Gene-specific probes and primers were selected and used in Northern blot hybridization and RT-PCR reactions to measure the basal hsp90 mRNA levels and to follow the inducer-specific expression of the hsp90 genes in different tissues during in vivo studies. The hsp90beta gene is largely constitutively expressed at a fairly high level in all the examined tissues (brain, liver and kidney) and is slightly inducible by an elevated temperature. Hsp90alpha mRNA is present in the brain, but is hardly detectable in the kidney and liver of unstressed animals. In the brain, this gene is greatly upregulated following thermal stress, whereas in the liver and kidney heat shock has only minor effects on its expression. Hsp90alpha, but not hsp90beta, responds to an elevated level of Cd in a dose-, time- and tissue-dependent manner.

Requirement of heat shock protein 90 in mesangial cell mitogenesis

BACKGROUND

Hyperplasia of mesangial cells (MCs) is a frequent finding in glomerulonephritis. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a major cellular chaperone that assists protein folding under physiological and stress conditions.

METHODS

To identify genes that are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis, we analyzed glomerular gene expression in mesangioproliferative rat anti-Thy1.1 nephritis by representational difference analysis (RDA). Expression of HSP90beta in anti-Thy1.1 nephritis was studied by Northern and Western blot analyses and immunohistochemistry. In cultured rat MCs, the requirement of HSP90 for mitogenic signaling steps and MC replication was studied by incubation with the specific HSP90 inhibitor geldanamycin.

RESULTS

By RDA, a cDNA fragment homologous to HSP90beta was identified. Glomerular mRNA and protein expression of HSP90beta was markedly and transiently up-regulated during the course of anti-Thy1.1 nephritis, with a maximum at day 6, coinciding with the peak of MC proliferation. By immunohistochemistry, HSP90beta expression in normal glomeruli was detected in podocytes. However, in anti-Thy1.1 nephritis, glomerular HSP90beta protein expression was strongly and transiently increased in mesangial localization. In vitro, mitogenic stimulation of rat MCs led to the induction of HSP90beta mRNA and protein. Incubation of MCs with geldanamycin dose-dependently inhibited DNA synthesis and replication. Moreover, geldanamycin interfered with mitogen-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and transcription of c-fos and Egr-1, but not with transactivation of STAT1 transcription factor. Cell cycle analysis of serum-stimulated MCs revealed that geldanamycin inhibited kinase activity of cyclin D1/CDK4 complexes and blocked progression in the G0/G1 phase and at the S/G2 phase transition.

CONCLUSIONS

The up-regulation of HSP90beta in anti-Thy1.1 nephritis may reflect its functional involvement in phenotypical alterations of MCs in mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis. Our in vitro studies indicate that HSP90 governs the capacity of MCs to respond to proliferative stimuli by regulating critical mitogenic signaling steps necessary for G1 entry and S-phase progression.

Heat shock protein 90 mediates protein-protein interactions between human aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases

Heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) is a molecular chaperone responsible for protein folding and maturation in vivo. Interaction of hsp90 with human glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (EPRS) was found by genetic screening, co-immunoprecipitation, and in vitro binding experiments. This interaction was sensitive to the hsp90 inhibitor, geldanamycin, and also ATP, suggesting that the chaperone activity of hsp90 is required for interaction with EPRS. Interaction of EPRS with hsp90 was targeted to the region of three tandem repeats linking the two catalytic domains of EPRS that is also responsible for the interaction with isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IRS). Interaction of EPRS and IRS also depended on the activity of hsp90, implying that their association was mediated by hsp90. EPRS and IRS form a macromolecular protein complex with at least six other tRNA synthetases and three cofactors. hsp90 preferentially binds to most of the complex-forming enzymes rather than those that are not found in the complex. In addition, inactivation of hsp90 interfered with the in vivo incorporation of the nascent aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases into the multi-ARS complex. Thus, hsp90 appears to mediate protein-protein interactions of mammalian tRNA synthetases.

Overexpression and localization of heat shock proteins mRNA in pancreatic carcinoma

In the present study we examined the localization and overexpression of heat shock proteins (hsps), mainly hsp90, in pancreatic carcinoma tissue compared with control tissue (including chronic pancreatitis and normal pancreas tissue), with the aid of immunohistochemical staining, in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Hsp90 alpha mRNA was overexpressed more highly in pancreatic carcinoma than in the control tissue. The proliferating-cell-nuclear-antigen labeling index was also high in pancreatic carcinoma tissue compared with the other tissue. These findings suggest that the overexpression of hsp90 alpha mRNA in carcinomas may be correlated with cell proliferation. However, hsp90 beta was constitutively overexpressed almost equally in all groups of pancreatic tissue including pancreatic carcinoma, chronic pancreatitis and normal pancreas tissue. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated a differentiation in the expression of hsp90 between histological types of pancreatic carcinoma. These findings suggest that hsp90 alpha is involved in carcinogenesis and that hsp90 beta is correlated to structural conformation. Hsp90 alpha and hsp90 beta seem to perform different functions in tissue containing malignant cells. P53, MDM2 and WAF1, that were cell-cycle-related oncogene product were more strongly expressed in the nuclei of the cancer cells of the cancer tissue. Especially, MDM2 was more strongly expressed in mucinous carcinoma and the mucin secreting tissues surrounding pancreatic carcinoma tissue. The expression of MDM2 protein might also be correlated to secretion systems during structural conformation and be correlated to hsp90 beta.

Mice lacking HSP90beta fail to develop a placental labyrinth

The 90 kDa heat-shock proteins (HSP90s) play important roles during stress situations as general chaperones and under physiological conditions in the conformational activation of specific protein substrates. Vertebrates express two cytosolic HSP90s (HSP90alpha and HSP90beta) ubiquitously. We have mutated the Hsp90beta gene in murine embryonic stem cells and generated Hsp90beta mutant mice. Heterozygous animals were phenotypically normal. Interestingly, homozygous embryos developed normally until embryonic day 9.0/9.5. Then, although Hsp90beta is expressed ubiquitously, they exhibited phenotypic abnormalities restricted to the placenta. The mutant concepti failed to form a fetal placental labyrinth and died a day later. Fusion between the allantois and the chorionic plate occurred, allantoic blood vessels invaded the chorion, but then did not expand. Mutant trophoblast cells failed to differentiate into trilaminar labyrinthine trophoblast. Despite conspicuous similarities between HSP90alpha and HSP90beta at the molecular level, our data suggest that HSP90beta has a key role in placenta development that cannot be performed by the endogenous HSP90alpha alone. Analysis of chimeric concepti consisting of mutant embryos and tetraploid embryos or ES cells revealed that wild-type allantois was able to induce mutant trophoblast to differentiate. In contrast, trophoblast wild type at the Hsp90beta locus was unable to differentiate when in contact with mutant allantois. Therefore, the primary defect caused by the Hsp90beta mutation resided in the allantois. The allantois mesoderm is thought to induce trophoblast differentiation. Our results show that Hsp90beta is a necessary component of this induction process.

Somatostatin increases glucocorticoid binding and signaling in macrophages by blocking the calpain-specific cleavage of Hsp 90

Somatostatin has direct anti-inflammatory actions and participates in the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids, but the mechanisms underlying this regulation remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether somatostatin increases glucocorticoid responsiveness by up-regulating glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression and signaling. Somatostatin promoted a time- and dose-dependent increase in [(3)H]dexamethasone binding to RAW 264.7 macrophages. Cell exposure to 10 nM somatostatin for 18 h promoted a 2-fold increase in the number of GR sites per cell without significant modification of the affinity. Analysis of GR heterocomplex components demonstrated that somatostatin increased the level of heat shock protein (Hsp) 90, whereas the level of GR remained almost unchanged. The increase in Hsp 90 was associated with a decrease in the cleavage of its carboxyl-terminal domain. Evidence for the involvement of calpain inhibition in this process was obtained by the demonstration that 1) somatostatin induced a dose-dependent decrease in calpain activity and 2) calpain inhibitors, calpain inhibitor I and calpeptin, both abolished the cleavage of Hsp 90 and induced a dose-dependent increase in [(3)H]dexamethasone binding. Increases in glucocorticoid binding after somatostatin treatment were associated with similar increases in the ability of GR to transactivate a minimal promoter containing two glucocorticoid response elements (GRE) and to interfere with the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Thus, the present findings indicate that somatostatin increases glucocorticoid binding and signaling by limiting the calpain-specific cleavage of GR-associated Hsp 90. This mechanism may represent a novel target for intervention to increase glucocorticoid responsiveness.

Expression of heat shock proteins in developing and degenerating rat testes

In the testis, several types of heat shock proteins (HSPs) have been identified and characterized, although the cellular basis of the HSPs remains elusive. In the present study, alterations in the cellular localization of HSPs, including HSP 25, 60, 70, and 90, were studied during the developing and degenerating periods in the rat testis using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. HSP25 was expressed in neither germ cells nor somatic cells on all days examined. In contrast, HSP 60 was expressed in Leydig cells during neonatal and prepuberty periods, and only in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes after puberty. HSPs 70 and 90 were expressed in germ cells, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells during neonatal and early developing testes, and in spermatocytes and round spermatids after puberty. Besides, there was faint expression of HSP 90 protein in spermatogonia in this period. In the degenerative condition, all HSP proteins were markedly expressed in germ cells after surgery. It would appear that HSPs play roles in unique homeostasis in testes.

Sequence features and phylogenetic analysis of the stress protein hsp90alpha in chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), a poikilothermic vertebrate

We cloned and sequenced a chinook salmon Hsp90 cDNA; sequence analysis shows it to be Hsp90alpha. Phylogenetic analysis supports the hypothesis that alpha and beta paralogs of Hsp90 arose as a result of a gene duplication event and that they diverged early in the evolution of vertebrates, before tetrapods separated from the teleost lineage. Among several differences distinguishing poikilothermic Hsp90alpha sequences from their bird and mammal orthologs, the teleost versions specifically lack a characteristic QTQDQP phosphorylation site near the N-terminus. We used the cDNA to develop an RNA (Northern) blot to quantify cellular Hsp90 mRNA levels. Chinook salmon embryonic (CHSE-214) cells responded to heat shock with a rapid rise in Hsp90 mRNA through 4 h, followed by a gradual decline over the next 20 h. Hsp90 mRNA level may be useful as a stress indicator, especially in a laboratory setting or in response to acute heat stress.

Molecular cloning and characterization of porcine cDNA encoding a 90-kDa heat shock protein and its expression following hyperthermia

We have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones encoding a 90-kDa heat shock protein (HSP90) from a porcine brain cDNA library. The sequence of the 2202-nucleotide coding region showed 88.6% homology with that of the human homologue. Moreover, the deduced amino acid sequence of the porcine hsp90 cDNA was 99.7% identical to that of the human counterpart, with a difference of only three amino acids in a total of 733 residues. Expression of the gene was greatly increased in cultured cells during recovery from heat shock treatment at 45 degrees C for 60 min. Three major transcripts 2.2, 3.0, and 4.1kb in size were detected by Northern blot hybridization. These transcripts were further identified in a whole-pig hyperthermia experiment. These three hsp90 transcripts were constitutively expressed in porcine tissues including kidney, liver, brain, and heart, and their levels were markedly enhanced during recovery from 30-min hyperthermia treatment at 43 degrees C. Furthermore, we found that HSP90 was preferentially expressed in pituitary gland, brain, adrenal gland, and testis, in comparison to the other tissues.

The 90-kDa molecular chaperone family: structure, function, and clinical applications. A comprehensive review

The 90-kDa molecular chaperone family (which comprises, among other proteins, the 90-kDa heat-shock protein, hsp90 and the 94-kDa glucose-regulated protein, grp94, major molecular chaperones of the cytosol and of the endoplasmic reticulum, respectively) has become an increasingly active subject of research in the past couple of years. These ubiquitous, well-conserved proteins account for 1-2% of all cellular proteins in most cells. However, their precise function is still far from being elucidated. Their involvement in the aetiology of several autoimmune diseases, in various infections, in recognition of malignant cells, and in antigen-presentation already demonstrates the essential role they likely will play in clinical practice of the next decade. The present review summarizes our current knowledge about the cellular functions, expression, and clinical implications of the 90-kDa molecular chaperone family and some approaches for future research.

Effect of stages of lactation on the concentration of a 90-kilodalton heat shock protein in bovine mammary tissue

From the normal mammary tissue of a Holstein cow in late lactation, a heat shock protein (90 kDa) was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and five-step column chromatography. From 70 g of tissue, 9.5 mg of this heat shock protein were obtained; samples had 98% purity and 19% recovery. The molecular mass of the 90-kDa heat shock protein was estimated to be 86 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Analysis of the amino-terminal amino acid sequence suggested that the protein had been purified as a mixture of two isoforms. The contents of the heat shock protein in cytoplasmic fractions of mammary tissues from Holstein heifers and cows at lactation and involution were measured by quantitative immunoblot analysis using rabbit antiserum raised against the purified heat shock proteins. The contents of the heat shock protein were higher in tissues from lactating cows than in those from heifers and involuting cows. The elevated concentrations of cytoplasmic 90-kDa heat shock protein in lactating tissue suggested that this protein is involved in mammary differentiation and lactation.

HSP90alpha gene expression may be a conserved feature of vertebrate somitogenesis

We have previously demonstrated that the hsp90alpha and hsp90beta genes in zebrafish are expressed in dramatically different spatial and temporal patterns in early embryos. In the case of hsp90alpha, expression is spatially restricted within the somites to putative myogenic cells which also express mRNA encoding the myogenic bHLH transcription factor myoD and is downregulated along with myoD following myogenesis. In the present study, we have examined hsp90alpha gene expression in developing chicken embryos using a gene-specific probe. We show that hsp90alpha gene expression is also localized to a subset of cells within the somites of chicken embryos and that the expression pattern correlates closely to that observed for myoD. Furthermore, expression of the hsp90alpha gene is strongly upregulated throughout the embryo following heat shock in a manner similar to that observed in heat-shocked zebrafish embryos. The data suggest that the hsp90alpha gene may play an evolutionarily conserved role during somitogenesis in vertebrates in addition to providing protection to all cells of the embryo following stress.

Binding affinity of proteins to hsp90 correlates with both hydrophobicity and positive charges. A surface plasmon resonance study

The 90 kDa heat shock protein (hsp90) is a major cytoplasmic molecular chaperone associating with numerous other proteins including steroid receptors. Here we provide the first numerical analysis of hsp90-target associations using surface plasmon resonance. Binding affinities of histones, the "native molten globule", casein and calmodulin to hsp90 decrease in the order of Kd = 70 +/- 24, 220 +/- 70 and 1800 +/- 600 nM, respectively. Analysis of the structure of binding proteins revealed that their binding affinity depends on both hydrophobicity and positive charges making the discriminative features of hsp90 similar to those of other molecular chaperones.

HSP binding and mitochondrial localization of p53 protein in human HT1080 and mouse C3H10T1/2 cell lines

In normal cells, the tumor suppressor actions of p53 protein are mediated by specific DNA binding and protein-protein interactions within the nucleus. Mutant p53 proteins, however, often assume an aberrant conformation devoid of tumor suppressor activity and newly capable of binding to the cognate or inducible HSP70. Recent reports from our laboratory and others show that additional unknown proteins may also complex with mutant p53. In this study, we characterize p53:HSP complexes and their subcellular location in the transformed cell lines, human HT1080 and murine C3H10T1/2, which both contain aberrant p53 conformers. Immunoprecipitation and SDS-PAGE of p53 from whole cell lysates revealed the additional presence of a broad 70 kDa band and a 90 kDa band in both lines, while p53 isolated from nuclear lysates was free from other proteins. 2D-PAGE was used to isolate and identify HSP members from cytoplasmic and nuclear lysates by immunoprecipitation, Western blotting and protein sequencing. Anti-p53 immune complexes from cytoplasmic lysates contained not only HSC70 but also GRP75, GRP78 and a weakly basic 90 kDa protein, which may be related to HSP90. The inducible form of HSP70 was not complexed to p53 protein, even though expressed in these cells. Analysis of anti-HSP70, anti-GRP75 and anti-HSP90 immune complexes suggests that HSP members exist as performed complexes in the cytoplasm, but not the nucleus. The presence of the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticular chaperones, GRP75 and GRP78, in p53:HSP complexes suggested that p53 might be found in these cytoplasmic organelles which was confirmed in mitochondria by biochemical and immunoelectron microscopic evidence. These studies suggest that newly identified members of p53:HSP complexes represent components of a chaperone program which affects the subcellular distribution of p53 protein in these transformed lines.