Unique peptide substrate binding properties of 110-kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp110) determine its distinct chaperone activity

The Essential Functions of Molecular Chaperones and Folding Enzymes in Maintaining Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis

It has been estimated that up to one-third of the proteins encoded by the human genome enter the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as extended polypeptide chains where they undergo covalent modifications, fold into their native structures, and assemble into oligomeric protein complexes. The fidelity of these processes is critical to support organellar, cellular, and organismal health, and is perhaps best underscored by the growing number of disease-causing mutations that reduce the fidelity of protein biogenesis in the ER. To meet demands encountered by the diverse protein clientele that mature in the ER, this organelle is populated with a cadre of molecular chaperones that prevent protein aggregation, facilitate protein disulfide isomerization, and lower the activation energy barrier of cis-trans prolyl isomerization. Components of the lectin (glycan-binding) chaperone system also reside within the ER and play numerous roles during protein biogenesis. In addition, the ER houses multiple homologs of select chaperones that can recognize and act upon diverse peptide signatures. Moreover, redundancy helps ensure that folding-compromised substrates are unable to overwhelm essential ER-resident chaperones and enzymes. In contrast, the ER in higher eukaryotic cells possesses a single member of the Hsp70, Hsp90, and Hsp110 chaperone families, even though several homologs of these molecules reside in the cytoplasm. In this review, we discuss specific functions of the many factors that maintain ER quality control, highlight some of their interactions, and describe the vulnerabilities that arise from the absence of multiple members of some chaperone families.

Molecular dynamics simulations shows real-time lid opening in Hsp70 chaperone

The stress-inducible mammalian heat shock protein Hsp70 and its bacterial orthologue DnaK are highly conserved molecular chaperones and a crucial part of the machinery responsible for protein folding and homeostasis. Hsp70 is a three-domain, 70 kDa protein that cycles between an ATP-bound state in which all three domains are securely coupled into one unit and an ADP-bound state in which they are loosely attached via a flexible interdomain linker. The Hsp70 presents an alluring novel therapeutic target since it is crucial for maintaining cellular proteostasis and is particularly crucial to cancer cells. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations of the SBD (substrate binding domain) along with the Lid domain in response to experimental efforts to identify small molecule inhibitors that impair the functioning of Hsp70. Our intent has been to characterize the motion of the SBD/Lid allosteric machinery and in, addition, to identify the effect of the PET16 molecule on this motion. Interestingly, we noticed the opening of the entire Lid domain in the apo-form of the dimer. The configuration of the open structure was very different from previously published structures (PDB 4JN4) of the open and docked conformation of the ATP bound form. MD simulations revealed the Lid to be capable of far greater dynamical excursions than has been anticipated by experimental structural biology. This is of value in future drug discovery efforts targeted to modulating Hsp70 activity. The PET16 molecule appears to be weakly bound and its effect on the dynamics of the complex is yet to be elucidated.

Alterations in Histone Methylation States Increased Profusion of Lethal(2)-Essential-for-Life-Like (l(2)elf), Trithorax and Polycomb Genes in Apis mellifera under Heat Stress

Histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) represent a key mechanism in the thermal adaptation of the honeybee Apis mellifera. In this study, a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and qPCR were employed to explore the changes in the methylation states of H3K4m2, H3K4m3, H3K27m2 and H3K27m3 associated with l2efl (ID: 72474, 724405, 724488), histone methyltransferases (HMTs) ((trx) and PR-set7) and Polycomb (Pc) and (Su(z)12) genes in A. m. jemenitica (tolerant subspecies) and A. m. carnica (susceptible subspecies) in response to heat treatment (42 °C for 1 h). The results revealed significant enrichment fold changes in the methylation/demethylation of most H3K4 and H3K27 marks at all targeted genes. These changes increased the profusion of l2efl (ID: 72474, 724405, 724488), histone methyltransferases (HMTs) (trx) and Polycomb (Pc) and Su(z)12 and decreased the profusion of HMT (PR-set7) in both honeybee subspecies. The changes in the methylation enrichment folds of histone methyltransferases (HMTs) ((trx), PR-set) and Polycomb (Pc), Su(z)12 genes demonstrate the well-harmonized coordination of epigenetic gene regulation in response to heat treatment. Compared to the control, the changes in the methylation enrichment folds of H3K4m3 at Polycomb Su(z)12 were about 30× and 100× higher in treated A. m. jemenitica and A.m. carnica, respectively. Similarly, changes in the methylation/demethylation enrichment folds of HMT (trx) and Polycomb (Pc) and Su(z)12 were 2-3× higher in A. m. carnica than in A. m. jemenitica after treatment (42 °C). It is evident that post-translational chromatin modification in both honeybee subspecies can diminish heat stress impact by (I) increasing the transcriptional provision of l2efl associated with survival and (II) increasing the silencing of genes associated with general cellular activities.

Distinct dynamical features of plasmodial and human HSP70-HSP110 highlight the divergence in their chaperone-assisted protein folding

HSP70 and its evolutionarily diverged co-chaperone HSP110, forms an important node in protein folding cascade. How these proteins maintain the aggregation-prone proteome of malaria parasite in functional state remains underexplored, in contrast to its human orthologs. In this study, we have probed into conformational dynamics of plasmodial HSP70 and HSP110 through multiple μs MD-simulations (ATP-state) and compared with their respective human counterparts. Simulations covered sampling of 3.4 and 2.8 μs for HSP70 and HSP110, respectively, for parasite and human orthologs. We provide a comprehensive description of the dynamic behaviors that characterize the systems and also introduce a parameter for quantifying protein rigidity. For HSP70, the interspecies comparison reveals enhanced flexibility in IA and IB subdomain within the conserved NBD, lesser solvent accessibility of the interdomain linker and distinct dynamics of the SBDβ of Pf HSP70 in comparison to Hs HSP70. In the case of HSP110, notable contrast in the dynamics of NBD, SBDβ and SBDα was observed between parasite and human ortholog. Although HSP70 and HSP110 are members of the same superfamily, we identified specific differences in the subdomain contacts in NBD, linker properties and interdomain movements in their human and parasite orthologs. Our study suggests that differences in conformational dynamics may translate into species-specific differences in the chaperoning activities of HSP70-HSP110 in the parasite and human, respectively. Dynamical features of Pf HSP70-HSP110 may contribute to the maintenance of proteostasis in the parasite during its intracellular survival in the host.

A first-in-class inhibitor of Hsp110 molecular chaperones of pathogenic fungi

Proteins of the Hsp110 family are molecular chaperones that play important roles in protein homeostasis in eukaryotes. The pathogenic fungus Candida albicans, which causes infections in humans, has a single Hsp110, termed Msi3. Here, we provide proof-of-principle evidence supporting fungal Hsp110s as targets for the development of new antifungal drugs. We identify a pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridine derivative, termed HLQ2H (or 2H), that inhibits the biochemical and chaperone activities of Msi3, as well as the growth and viability of C. albicans. Moreover, the fungicidal activity of 2H correlates with its inhibition of in vivo protein folding. We propose 2H and related compounds as promising leads for development of new antifungals and as pharmacological tools for the study of the molecular mechanisms and functions of Hsp110s.

Linking Histone Methylation States and hsp Transcriptional Regulation in Thermo-Tolerant and Thermo-Susceptible A. mellifera L. Subspecies in Response to Heat Stress

Genetic and epigenetic responses to environmental cues of worker honeybees mediate hsp synthesis, a key mechanism to tolerate high ambient temperatures in Apis mellifera. In this study, the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay followed by qPCR were used to determine alterations in histone methylation states (H3K27me2, H3K27me3, H3K4me2, and H3K4me3) associated with hsp/hsc/trx in A. m. jemenetica (thermo-tolerant subspecies) and A. m. carnica (thermo-susceptible subspecies) after heat treatment. The results revealed significant changes in enrichment folds of histone methylation states associated with hsp/hsc/trx. Indeed, the enrichment of H3K27me2 decreased strongly in response to heat stress. Changes in histone methylation states were significantly higher in A. m. carnica samples compared to A. m. jemenitica samples. Our study provides a new perception on linking histone post-translational methylation as an epigenetic mechanism of gene regulation with hsp/hsc/trx in A. mellifera subspecies exposed to heat stress.

Nucleotide Exchange Factors for Hsp70 Molecular Chaperones: GrpE, Hsp110/Grp170, HspBP1/Sil1, and BAG Domain Proteins

Molecular chaperones of the Hsp70 family are key components of the cellular protein-folding machinery. Substrate folding is accomplished by iterative cycles of ATP binding, hydrolysis, and release. The ATPase activity of Hsp70 is regulated by two main classes of cochaperones: J-domain proteins stimulate ATPase hydrolysis by Hsp70, while nucleotide exchange factors (NEFs) facilitate the conversion from the ADP-bound to the ATP-bound state, thus closing the chaperone folding cycle. NEF function can additionally be antagonized by ADP dissociation inhibitors. Beginning with the discovery of the prototypical bacterial NEF, GrpE, a large diversity of nucleotide exchange factors for Hsp70 have been identified, connecting it to a multitude of cellular processes in the eukaryotic cell. Here we review recent advances toward structure and function of nucleotide exchange factors from the Hsp110/Grp170, HspBP1/Sil1, and BAG domain protein families and discuss how these cochaperones connect protein folding with cellular quality control and degradation pathways.

Identification and characterization of proteins that form the inner core Ixodes scapularis tick attachment cement layer

Ixodes scapularis long-term blood feeding behavior is facilitated by a tick secreted bio adhesive (tick cement) that attaches tick mouthparts to skin tissue and prevents the host from dislodging the attached tick. Understanding tick cement formation is highly sought after as its disruption will prevent tick feeding. This study describes proteins that form the inner core layer of I. scapularis tick cement as disrupting these proteins will likely stop formation of the outer cortical layer. The inner core cement layer completes formation by 24 h of tick attachment. Thus, we used laser-capture microdissection to isolate cement from cryosections of 6 h and 24 h tick attachment sites and to distinguish between early and late inner core cement proteins. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 138 tick cement proteins (TCPs) of which 37 and 35 were unique in cement of 6 and 24 h attached ticks respectively. We grouped TCPs in 14 functional categories: cuticular protein (16%), tick specific proteins of unknown function, cytoskeletal proteins, and enzymes (13% each), enzymes (10%), antioxidant, glycine rich, scaffolding, heat shock, histone, histamine binding, proteases and protease inhibitors, and miscellaneous (3-6% each). Gene ontology analysis confirm that TCPs are enriched for bio adhesive properties. Our data offer insights into tick cement bonding patterns and set the foundation for understanding the molecular basis of I. scapularis tick cement formation.

Multivalent protein-protein interactions are pivotal regulators of eukaryotic Hsp70 complexes

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is a molecular chaperone and central regulator of protein homeostasis (proteostasis). Paramount to this role is Hsp70's binding to client proteins and co-chaperones to produce distinct complexes, such that understanding the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of Hsp70 is foundational to describing its function and dysfunction in disease. Mounting evidence suggests that these PPIs include both "canonical" interactions, which are universally conserved, and "non-canonical" (or "secondary") contacts that seem to have emerged in eukaryotes. These two categories of interactions involve discrete binding surfaces, such that some clients and co-chaperones engage Hsp70 with at least two points of contact. While the contributions of canonical interactions to chaperone function are becoming increasingly clear, it can be challenging to deconvolute the roles of secondary interactions. Here, we review what is known about non-canonical contacts and highlight examples where their contributions have been parsed, giving rise to a model in which Hsp70's secondary contacts are not simply sites of additional avidity but are necessary and sufficient to impart unique functions. From this perspective, we propose that further exploration of non-canonical contacts will generate important insights into the evolution of Hsp70 systems and inspire new approaches for developing small molecules that tune Hsp70-mediated proteostasis.

Mapping SP-C co-chaperone binding sites reveals molecular consequences of disease-causing mutations on protein maturation

BiP co-chaperones ERdj4, ERdj5, and GRP170 associate in cells with peptides predicted to be aggregation prone. Here, extending these findings to a full-length protein, we examine two Interstitial Lung Disease-associated mutants (ILD) of surfactant protein C (SP-C). The TANGO algorithm, which identifies sequences prone to formation of β strand aggregates, found three such regions in SP-C: the N-terminal transmembrane (TM) domain and two sites in the intermolecular chaperone BRICHOS domain. We show the ILD mutants disrupt di-sulfide bond formation in the BRICHOS domain and expose the aggregation-prone peptides leading to binding of ERdj4, ERdj5, and GRP170. The destabilized mutant BRICHOS domain fails to properly insert its TM region in the ER membrane, exposing part of the N-terminal TM domain site. Our studies with ILD-associated mutant proteins provide insights into the specificity of ERdj4, ERdj5, and GRP170, identify context-dependent differences in their binding, and reveal molecular consequences of disease-associated mutants on folding.

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)-associated mutations in surfactant protein C (SP-C) render the protein prone to aggregation. Here, the authors reveal their impact on protein maturation, provide insights into recognition of aggregation prone regions by chaperones, and address the autosomal dominant nature of ILD mutants.

Novel function of the C-Terminal region of the Hsp110 family member Osp94 in unfolded protein refolding

Osp94, a member of the Hsp110/Sse1 family of heat shock proteins, has a longer C-terminus than Hsc70/Hsp70, composed of the loop region with partial SBDβ (L), and SBDα and the C-terminal extension (H), but the functions of these domains are poorly understood. Osp94 suppressed heat-induced aggregation of luciferase (Luc). Osp94-bound heat-inactivated Luc was reactivated in the presence of rabbit reticulocyte lysate (RRL) and/or a combination of Hsc70 and Hsp40. Targeted deletion mutagenesis revealed that the SBDβ and H domains of Osp94 are critical for protein disaggregation and RRL-mediated refolding. Reactivation of Hsp90-bound heat-inactivated Luc was abolished in the absence of RRL but compensated by PA28α, a proteasome activator. Interestingly, the LH domain also reactivated heat-inactivated Luc, independent of PA28α. Biotin-tag cross-linking experiments indicated that the LH domain and PA28α interact with Luc bound by Hsp90 during refolding. A chimera protein in which the H domain was exchanged for PA28α also mediated disaggregation and reactivation of heat-inactivated Luc. These results indicate that Osp94 acts as a holdase and that the C-terminal region plays a PA28α-like role in the refolding of unfolded proteins.

Chaperones directly and efficiently disperse stress-triggered biomolecular condensates

Stresses such as heat shock trigger the formation of protein aggregates and the induction of a disaggregation system composed of molecular chaperones. Recent work reveals that several cases of apparent heat-induced aggregation, long thought to be the result of toxic misfolding, instead reflect evolved, adaptive biomolecular condensation, with chaperone activity contributing to condensate regulation. Here we show that the yeast disaggregation system directly disperses heat-induced biomolecular condensates of endogenous poly(A)-binding protein (Pab1) orders of magnitude more rapidly than aggregates of the most commonly used misfolded model substrate, firefly luciferase. Beyond its efficiency, heat-induced condensate dispersal differs from heat-induced aggregate dispersal in its molecular requirements and mechanistic behavior. Our work establishes a bona fide endogenous heat-induced substrate for long-studied heat shock proteins, isolates a specific example of chaperone regulation of condensates, and underscores needed expansion of the proteotoxic interpretation of the heat shock response to encompass adaptive, chaperone-mediated regulation.

A novel and unique ATP hydrolysis to AMP by a human Hsp70 Binding immunoglobin protein (BiP)

Hsp70s are ubiquitous and highly conserved molecular chaperones. They play crucial roles in maintaining cellular protein homeostasis. It is well established that Hsp70s use the energy of ATP hydrolysis to ADP to power the chaperone activity regardless of the cellular locations and isoforms. Binding immunoglobin protein (BiP), the major member of Hsp70s in the endoplasmic reticulum, is essential for protein folding and quality control. Unexpectedly, our structural analysis of BiP demonstrated a novel ATP hydrolysis to AMP during crystallization under the acidic conditions. Our biochemical studies confirmed this newly discovered ATP to AMP hydrolysis in solutions. Unlike the canonical ATP to ADP hydrolysis observed for Hsp70s, this ATP hydrolysis to AMP depends on the substrate-binding domain of BiP and is inhibited by the binding of a peptide substrate. Intriguingly, this ATP to AMP hydrolysis is unique to BiP, not shared by two representative Hsp70 proteins from the cytosol. Taken together, this novel and unique ATP to AMP hydrolysis may provide a potentially new direction for understanding the activity and cellular function of BiP.

Interdomain interactions dictate the function of the Candida albicans Hsp110 protein Msi3

Heat shock proteins of 110 kDa (Hsp110s), a unique class of molecular chaperones, are essential for maintaining protein homeostasis. Hsp110s exhibit a strong chaperone activity preventing protein aggregation (the "holdase" activity) and also function as the major nucleotide-exchange factor (NEF) for Hsp70 chaperones. Hsp110s contain two functional domains: a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and substrate-binding domain (SBD). ATP binding is essential for Hsp110 function and results in close contacts between the NBD and SBD. However, the molecular mechanism of this ATP-induced allosteric coupling remains poorly defined. In this study, we carried out biochemical analysis on Msi3, the sole Hsp110 in Candida albicans, to dissect the unique allosteric coupling of Hsp110s using three mutations affecting the domain-domain interface. All the mutations abolished both the in vivo and in vitro functions of Msi3. While the ATP-bound state was disrupted in all mutants, only mutation of the NBD-SBDβ interfaces showed significant ATPase activity, suggesting that the full-length Hsp110s have an ATPase that is mainly suppressed by NBD-SBDβ contacts. Moreover, the high-affinity ATP-binding unexpectedly appears to require these NBD-SBD contacts. Remarkably, the "holdase" activity was largely intact for all mutants tested while NEF activity was mostly compromised, although both activities strictly depended on the ATP-bound state, indicating different requirements for these two activities. Stable peptide substrate binding to Msi3 led to dissociation of the NBD-SBD contacts and compromised interactions with Hsp70. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the exceptionally strong NBD-SBD contacts in Hsp110s dictate the unique allosteric coupling and biochemical activities.

Mitochondrial HSP70 Chaperone System-The Influence of Post-Translational Modifications and Involvement in Human Diseases

Since their discovery, heat shock proteins (HSPs) have been identified in all domains of life, which demonstrates their importance and conserved functional role in maintaining protein homeostasis. Mitochondria possess several members of the major HSP sub-families that perform essential tasks for keeping the organelle in a fully functional and healthy state. In humans, the mitochondrial HSP70 chaperone system comprises a central molecular chaperone, mtHSP70 or mortalin (HSPA9), which is actively involved in stabilizing and importing nuclear gene products and in refolding mitochondrial precursor proteins, and three co-chaperones (HSP70-escort protein 1-HEP1, tumorous imaginal disc protein 1-TID-1, and Gro-P like protein E-GRPE), which regulate and accelerate its protein folding functions. In this review, we summarize the roles of mitochondrial molecular chaperones with particular focus on the human mtHsp70 and its co-chaperones, whose deregulated expression, mutations, and post-translational modifications are often considered to be the main cause of neurological disorders, genetic diseases, and malignant growth.

Iso-mukaadial acetate and ursolic acid acetate inhibit the chaperone activity of Plasmodium falciparum heat shock protein 70-1

Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal malaria parasite. The present study investigates the interaction capabilities of select plant derivatives, iso-mukaadial acetate (IMA) and ursolic acid acetate (UAA), against P. falciparum Hsp70-1 (PfHsp70-1) using in vitro approaches. PfHsp70-1 facilitates protein folding in the parasite and is deemed a prospective antimalarial drug target. Recombinant PfHsp70-1 protein was expressed in E. coli BL21 cells and homogeneously purified by affinity chromatography. The interaction between the compounds and PfHsp70-1 was evaluated using malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and luciferase aggregation assay, ATPase activity assay, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). PfHsp70-1 prevented the heat-induced aggregation of MDH and luciferase. However, the PfHsp70-1 chaperone role was inhibited by IMA or UAA, leading to both MDH and luciferase's thermal aggregation. The basal ATPase activity of PfHsp70-1 (0.121 nmol/min/mg) was closer to UAA (0.131 nmol/min/mg) (p = 0.0675) at 5 mM compound concentration, suggesting that UAA has no effect on PfHsp70-1 ATPase activity. However, ATPase activity inhibition was similar between IMA (0.068 nmol/min/mg) (p < 0.0001) and polymyxin B (0.083 nmol/min/mg) (p < 0.0001). The lesser the Pi values, the lesser ATP hydrolysis observed due to compound binding to the ATPase domain. FTIR spectra analysis of IMA and UAA resulted in PfHsp70-1 structural alteration for β-sheets shifting the amide I band from 1637 cm-1 to 1639 cm-1, and for α-helix from 1650 cm-1 to 1652 cm-1, therefore depicting secondary structural changes with an increase in secondary structure percentage suggesting that these compounds interact with PfHsp70-1.

Purification and biochemical characterization of Msi3, an essential Hsp110 molecular chaperone in Candida albicans

Hsp110s are unique and essential molecular chaperones in the eukaryotic cytosol. They play important roles in maintaining cellular protein homeostasis. Candida albicans is the most prevalent yeast opportunistic pathogen that causes fungal infections in humans. As the only Hsp110 in Candida albicans, Msi3 is essential for the growth and infection of Candida albicans. In this study, we have expressed and purified Msi3 in nucleotide-free state and carried out biochemical analyses. Sse1 is the major Hsp110 in budding yeast S. cerevisiae and the best characterized Hsp110. Msi3 can substitute Sse1 in complementing the temperature-sensitive phenotype of S. cerevisiae carrying a deletion of SSE1 gene although Msi3 shares only 63.4% sequence identity with Sse1. Consistent with this functional similarity, the purified Msi3 protein shares many similar biochemical activities with Sse1 including binding ATP with high affinity, changing conformation upon ATP binding, stimulating the nucleotide-exchange for Hsp70, preventing protein aggregation, and assisting Hsp70 in refolding denatured luciferase. These biochemical characterizations suggested that Msi3 can be used as a model for studying the molecular mechanisms of Hsp110s.

Cytosolic protein quality control machinery: Interactions of Hsp70 with a network of co-chaperones and substrates

The chaperone heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and its network of co-chaperones serve as a central hub of cellular protein quality control mechanisms. Domain organization in Hsp70 dictates ATPase activity, ATP dependent allosteric regulation, client/substrate binding and release, and interactions with co-chaperones. The protein quality control activities of Hsp70 are classified as foldase, holdase, and disaggregase activities. Co-chaperones directly assisting protein refolding included J domain proteins and nucleotide exchange factors. However, co-chaperones can also be grouped and explored based on which domain of Hsp70 they interact. Here we discuss how the network of cytosolic co-chaperones for Hsp70 contributes to the functions of Hsp70 while closely looking at their structural features. Comparison of domain organization and the structures of co-chaperones enables greater understanding of the interactions, mechanisms of action, and roles played in protein quality control.

Suppression of aggregate and amyloid formation by a novel intrinsically disordered region in metazoan Hsp110 chaperones

Molecular chaperones maintain proteostasis by ensuring the proper folding of polypeptides. Loss of proteostasis has been linked to numerous neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. Hsp110 is related to the canonical Hsp70 class of protein-folding molecular chaperones and interacts with Hsp70 as a nucleotide exchange factor (NEF). In addition to its NEF activity, Hsp110 possesses an Hsp70-like substrate-binding domain (SBD) whose biological roles remain undefined. Previous work in Drosophila melanogaster has implicated the sole Hsp110 gene (Hsc70cb) in proteinopathic neurodegeneration. We hypothesize that in addition to its role as an Hsp70 NEF, Drosophila Hsp110 may function as a protective protein "holdase," preventing the aggregation of unfolded polypeptides via the SBD-β subdomain. We demonstrate for the first time that Drosophila Hsp110 effectively prevents aggregation of the model substrate citrate synthase. We also report the discovery of a redundant and heretofore unknown potent holdase capacity in a 138-amino-acid region of Hsp110 carboxyl terminal to both SBD-β and SBD-α (henceforth called the C-terminal extension). This sequence is highly conserved in metazoan Hsp110 genes, completely absent from fungal representatives, and is computationally predicted to contain an intrinsically disordered region (IDR). We demonstrate that this IDR sequence within the human Hsp110s, Apg-1 and Hsp105α, inhibits the formation of amyloid Aβ-42 and α-synuclein fibrils in vitro but cannot mediate fibril disassembly. Together these findings establish capacity for metazoan Hsp110 chaperones to suppress both general protein aggregation and amyloidogenesis, raising the possibility of exploitation of this IDR for therapeutic benefit.

Mutation of GGMP Repeat Segments of Plasmodium falciparum Hsp70-1 Compromises Chaperone Function and Hop Co-Chaperone Binding

Parasitic organisms especially those of the Apicomplexan phylum, harbour a cytosol localised canonical Hsp70 chaperone. One of the defining features of this protein is the presence of GGMP repeat residues sandwiched between α-helical lid and C-terminal EEVD motif. The role of the GGMP repeats of Hsp70s remains unknown. In the current study, we introduced GGMP mutations in the cytosol localised Hsp70-1 of Plasmodium falciparum (PfHsp70-1) and a chimeric protein (KPf), constituted by the ATPase domain of E. coli DnaK fused to the C-terminal substrate binding domain of PfHsp70-1. A complementation assay conducted using E. coli dnaK756 cells demonstrated that the GGMP motif was essential for chaperone function of the chimeric protein, KPf. Interestingly, insertion of GGMP motif of PfHsp70-1 into DnaK led to a lethal phenotype in E. coli dnaK756 cells exposed to elevated growth temperature. Using biochemical and biophysical assays, we established that the GGMP motif accounts for the elevated basal ATPase activity of PfHsp70-1. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this motif is important for interaction of the chaperone with peptide substrate and a co-chaperone, PfHop. Our findings suggest that the GGMP may account for both the specialised chaperone function and reportedly high catalytic efficiency of PfHsp70-1.

The Role of Non-Canonical Hsp70s (Hsp110/Grp170) in Cancer

Although cancers account for over 16% of all global deaths annually, at present, no reliable therapies exist for most types of the disease. As protein folding facilitators, heat shock proteins (Hsps) play an important role in cancer development. Not surprisingly, Hsps are among leading anticancer drug targets. Generally, Hsp70s are divided into two main subtypes: canonical Hsp70 (Escherichia coli Hsp70/DnaK homologues) and the non-canonical (Hsp110 and Grp170) members. These two main Hsp70 groups are delineated from each other by distinct structural and functional specifications. Non-canonical Hsp70s are considered as holdase chaperones, while canonical Hsp70s are refoldases. This unique characteristic feature is mirrored by the distinct structural features of these two groups of chaperones. Hsp110/Grp170 members are larger as they possess an extended acidic insertion in their substrate binding domains. While the role of canonical Hsp70s in cancer has received a fair share of attention, the roles of non-canonical Hsp70s in cancer development has received less attention in comparison. In the current review, we discuss the structure-function features of non-canonical Hsp70s members and how these features impact their role in cancer development. We further mapped out their interactome and discussed the prospects of targeting these proteins in cancer therapy.

Genome-wide identification of Hsp70/110 genes in rainbow trout and their regulated expression in response to heat stress

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) play an important role in many biological processes. However, as a typical cold water fish, the systematic identification of Hsp70/110 gene family of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has not been reported, and the role of Hsp70/110 gene in the evolution of rainbow trout has not been described systematically. In this study, bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the Hsp70/110 gene family of rainbow trout. A total of 16 hsp70/110 genes were identified and classified into ten subgroups. The 16 Hsp70/110 genes were all distributed on chromosomes 2, 4, 8 and 13. The molecular weight is ranged from 78.93 to 91.39 kD. Gene structure and motif composition are relatively conserved in each subgroup. According to RNA-seq analysis of rainbow trout liver and head kidney, a total of four out of 16 genes were significantly upregulated in liver under heat stress, and a total of seven out of 16 genes were significantly upregulated in head kidney. RT-qPCR was carried out on these gene, and the result were consistent with those of RNA-seq. The significantly regulated expressions of Hsp70/110 genes under heat stress indicats that Hsp70/110 genes are involved in heat stress response in rainbow trout. This systematic analysis provided valuable information about the diverse roles of Hsp70/110 in the evolution of teleost, which will contribute to the functional characterization of Hsp70/110 genes in further research.

Co-Chaperones in Targeting and Delivery of Misfolded Proteins to the 26S Proteasome

Protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is essential for the cell and is maintained by a highly conserved protein quality control (PQC) system, which triages newly synthesized, mislocalized and misfolded proteins. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), molecular chaperones, and co-chaperones are vital PQC elements that work together to facilitate degradation of misfolded and toxic protein species through the 26S proteasome. However, the underlying mechanisms are complex and remain partly unclear. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the co-chaperones that directly take part in targeting and delivery of PQC substrates for degradation. While J-domain proteins (JDPs) target substrates for the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) chaperones, nucleotide-exchange factors (NEFs) deliver HSP70-bound substrates to the proteasome. So far, three NEFs have been established in proteasomal delivery: HSP110 and the ubiquitin-like (UBL) domain proteins BAG-1 and BAG-6, the latter acting as a chaperone itself and carrying its substrates directly to the proteasome. A better understanding of the individual delivery pathways will improve our ability to regulate the triage, and thus regulate the fate of aberrant proteins involved in cell stress and disease, examples of which are given throughout the review.

Comparative Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum Hsp70-1 Relative to E. coli DnaK Reveals the Functional Specificity of the Parasite Chaperone

Hsp70 is a conserved molecular chaperone. How Hsp70 exhibits specialized functions across species remains to be understood. Plasmodium falciparum Hsp70-1 (PfHsp70-1) and Escherichia coli DnaK are cytosol localized molecular chaperones that are important for the survival of these two organisms. In the current study, we investigated comparative structure-function features of PfHsp70-1 relative to DnaK and a chimeric protein, KPf, constituted by the ATPase domain of DnaK and the substrate binding domain (SBD) of PfHsp70-1. Recombinant forms of the three Hsp70s exhibited similar secondary and tertiary structural folds. However, compared to DnaK, both KPf and PfHsp70-1 were more stable to heat stress and exhibited higher basal ATPase activity. In addition, PfHsp70-1 preferentially bound to asparagine rich peptide substrates, as opposed to DnaK. Recombinant P. falciparum adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (PfAdoMetDC) co-expressed in E. coli with either KPf or PfHsp70-1 was produced as a fully folded product. Co-expression of PfAdoMetDC with heterologous DnaK in E. coli did not promote folding of the former. However, a combination of supplementary GroEL plus DnaK improved folding of PfAdoMetDC. These findings demonstrated that the SBD of PfHsp70-1 regulates several functional features of the protein and that this molecular chaperone is tailored to facilitate folding of plasmodial proteins.

An unexpected second binding site for polypeptide substrates is essential for Hsp70 chaperone activity

Heat shock proteins of 70 kDa (Hsp70s) are ubiquitous and highly conserved molecular chaperones. They play multiple essential roles in assisting with protein folding and maintaining protein homeostasis. Their chaperone activity has been proposed to require several rounds of binding to and release of polypeptide substrates at the substrate-binding domain (SBD) of Hsp70s. All available structures have revealed a single substrate-binding site in the SBD that binds a single segment of an extended polypeptide of 3-4 residues. However, this well-established single peptide-binding site alone has made it difficult to explain the efficient chaperone activity of Hsp70s. In this study, using purified proteins and site-directed mutagenesis, along with fluorescence polarization and luciferase-refolding assays, we report the unexpected discovery of a second peptide-binding site in Hsp70s. More importantly, the biochemical analyses suggested that this novel binding site, named here P2, is essential for Hsp70 chaperone activity. Furthermore, cross-linking and mutagenesis studies indicated that this second binding site is in the SBD adjacent to the first binding site. Taken together, our results suggest that these two essential binding sites of Hsp70s cooperate in protein folding.

Small Molecule Inhibitors Targeting the Heat Shock Protein System of Human Obligate Protozoan Parasites

Obligate protozoan parasites of the kinetoplastids and apicomplexa infect human cells to complete their life cycles. Some of the members of these groups of parasites develop in at least two systems, the human host and the insect vector. Survival under the varied physiological conditions associated with the human host and in the arthropod vectors requires the parasites to modulate their metabolic complement in order to meet the prevailing conditions. One of the key features of these parasites essential for their survival and host infectivity is timely expression of various proteins. Even more importantly is the need to keep their proteome functional by maintaining its functional capabilities in the wake of physiological changes and host immune responses. For this reason, molecular chaperones (also called heat shock proteins)-whose role is to facilitate proteostasis-play an important role in the survival of these parasites. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and Hsp70 are prominent molecular chaperones that are generally induced in response to physiological stress. Both Hsp90 and Hsp70 members are functionally regulated by nucleotides. In addition, Hsp70 and Hsp90 cooperate to facilitate folding of some key proteins implicated in cellular development. In addition, Hsp90 and Hsp70 individually interact with other accessory proteins (co-chaperones) that regulate their functions. The dependency of these proteins on nucleotide for their chaperone function presents an Achille's heel, as inhibitors that mimic ATP are amongst potential therapeutic agents targeting their function in obligate intracellular human parasites. Most of the promising small molecule inhibitors of parasitic heat shock proteins are either antibiotics or anticancer agents, whose repurposing against parasitic infections holds prospects. Both cancer cells and obligate human parasites depend upon a robust protein quality control system to ensure their survival, and hence, both employ a competent heat shock machinery to this end. Furthermore, some inhibitors that target chaperone and co-chaperone networks also offer promising prospects as antiparasitic agents. The current review highlights the progress made so far in design and application of small molecule inhibitors against obligate intracellular human parasites of the kinetoplastida and apicomplexan kingdoms.

Structural and functional analysis of the Hsp70/Hsp40 chaperone system

As one of the most abundant and highly conserved molecular chaperones, the 70-kDa heat shock proteins (Hsp70s) play a key role in maintaining cellular protein homeostasis (proteostasis), one of the most fundamental tasks for every living organism. In this role, Hsp70s are inextricably linked to many human diseases, most notably cancers and neurodegenerative diseases, and are increasingly recognized as important drug targets for developing novel therapeutics for these diseases. Hsp40s are a class of essential and universal partners for Hsp70s in almost all aspects of proteostasis. Thus, Hsp70s and Hsp40s together constitute one of the most important chaperone systems across all kingdoms of life. In recent years, we have witnessed significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanism of this chaperone system through structural and functional analysis. This review will focus on this recent progress, mainly from a structural perspective.

The Complex Phosphorylation Patterns that Regulate the Activity of Hsp70 and Its Cochaperones

Proteins must fold into their native structure and maintain it during their lifespan to display the desired activity. To ensure proper folding and stability, and avoid generation of misfolded conformations that can be potentially cytotoxic, cells synthesize a wide variety of molecular chaperones that assist folding of other proteins and avoid their aggregation, which unfortunately is unavoidable under acute stress conditions. A protein machinery in metazoa, composed of representatives of the Hsp70, Hsp40, and Hsp110 chaperone families, can reactivate protein aggregates. We revised herein the phosphorylation sites found so far in members of these chaperone families and the functional consequences associated with some of them. We also discuss how phosphorylation might regulate the chaperone activity and the interaction of human Hsp70 with its accessory and client proteins. Finally, we present the information that would be necessary to decrypt the effect that post-translational modifications, and especially phosphorylation, could have on the biological activity of the Hsp70 system, known as the “chaperone code”.

Comparative structure-function features of Hsp70s of Plasmodium falciparum and human origins

The heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) family of molecular chaperones are crucial for the survival and pathogenicity of the main agent of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum. Hsp70 is central to cellular proteostasis and some of its isoforms are essential for survival of the malaria parasite. In addition, they are also implicated in the development of antimalarial drug resistance. For these reasons, they are thought to be potential drug targets, especially in antimalarial combination therapies. However, their high sequence conservation across species presents a hurdle with respect to their selective targeting. The human genome encodes 17 Hsp70 isoforms while P. falciparum encodes for only 6. The structural architecture of Hsp70s is typically characterized by a highly conserved N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and a less conserved C-terminal substrate-binding domain (SBD). The two domains are connected by a highly conserved linker. In spite of their fairly high sequence conservation, Hsp70s from various species possess unique signature motifs that appear to uniquely influence their function. In addition, their cooperation with co-chaperones further regulates their functional specificity. In the current review, bioinformatics tools were used to identify conserved and unique signature motifs in Hsp70s of P. falciparum versus their human counterparts. We discuss the common and distinctive structure-function features of these proteins. This information is important towards elucidating the prospects of selective targeting of parasite heat shock proteins as part of antimalarial design efforts.

Modulation of Amyloid States by Molecular Chaperones

Aberrant protein aggregation is a defining feature of most neurodegenerative diseases. During pathological aggregation, key proteins transition from their native state to alternative conformations, which are prone to oligomerize into highly ordered fibrillar states. As part of the cellular quality control machinery, molecular chaperones can intervene at many stages of the aggregation process to inhibit or reverse aberrant protein aggregation or counteract the toxicity associated with amyloid species. Although the action of chaperones is considered cytoprotective, essential housekeeping functions can be hijacked for the propagation and spreading of protein aggregates, suggesting the cellular protein quality control system constitutes a double-edged sword in neurodegeneration. Here, we discuss the various mechanisms used by chaperones to influence protein aggregation into amyloid fibrils to understand how the interplay of these activities produces specific cellular outcomes and to define mechanisms that may be targeted by pharmacological agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions.

Hsp70 molecular chaperones: multifunctional allosteric holding and unfolding machines

The Hsp70 family of chaperones works with its co-chaperones, the nucleotide exchange factors and J-domain proteins, to facilitate a multitude of cellular functions. Central players in protein homeostasis, these jacks-of-many-trades are utilized in a variety of ways because of their ability to bind with selective promiscuity to regions of their client proteins that are exposed when the client is unfolded, either fully or partially, or visits a conformational state that exposes the binding region in a regulated manner. The key to Hsp70 functions is that their substrate binding is transient and allosterically cycles in a nucleotide-dependent fashion between high- and low-affinity states. In the past few years, structural insights into the molecular mechanism of this allosterically regulated binding have emerged and provided deep insight into the deceptively simple Hsp70 molecular machine that is so widely harnessed by nature for diverse cellular functions. In this review, these structural insights are discussed to give a picture of the current understanding of how Hsp70 chaperones work.

The Physics of Entropic Pulling: A Novel Model for the Hsp70 Motor Mechanism

Hsp70s use ATP to generate forces that disassemble protein complexes and aggregates, and that translocate proteins into organelles. Entropic pulling has been proposed as a novel mechanism, distinct from the more familiar power-stroke and Brownian ratchet models, for how Hsp70s generate these forces. Experimental evidence supports entropic pulling, but this model may not be well understood among scientists studying these systems. In this review we address persistent misconceptions regarding the dynamics of proteins in solution that contribute to this lack of understanding, and we clarify the basic physics of entropic pulling with some simple analogies. We hope that increased understanding of the entropic pulling mechanism will inform future efforts to characterize how Hsp70s function as motors, and how they coordinate with their regulatory cochaperones in mechanochemical cycles that transduce the energy of ATP hydrolysis into physical changes in their protein substrates.

Roles of the nucleotide exchange factor and chaperone Hsp110 in cellular proteostasis and diseases of protein misfolding

Cellular protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is maintained by a broad network of proteins involved in synthesis, folding, triage, repair and degradation. Chief among these are molecular chaperones and their cofactors that act as powerful protein remodelers. The growing realization that many human pathologies are fundamentally diseases of protein misfolding (proteopathies) has generated interest in understanding how the proteostasis network impacts onset and progression of these diseases. In this minireview, we highlight recent progress in understanding the enigmatic Hsp110 class of heat shock protein that acts as both a potent nucleotide exchange factor to regulate activity of the foldase Hsp70, and as a passive chaperone capable of recognizing and binding cellular substrates on its own, and its integration into the proteostasis network.

Cellular Handling of Protein Aggregates by Disaggregation Machines

Both acute proteotoxic stresses that unfold proteins and expression of disease-causing mutant proteins that expose aggregation-prone regions can promote protein aggregation. Protein aggregates can interfere with cellular processes and deplete factors crucial for protein homeostasis. To cope with these challenges, cells are equipped with diverse folding and degradation activities to rescue or eliminate aggregated proteins. Here, we review the different chaperone disaggregation machines and their mechanisms of action. In all these machines, the coating of protein aggregates by Hsp70 chaperones represents the conserved, initializing step. In bacteria, fungi, and plants, Hsp70 recruits and activates Hsp100 disaggregases to extract aggregated proteins. In the cytosol of metazoa, Hsp70 is empowered by a specific cast of J-protein and Hsp110 co-chaperones allowing for standalone disaggregation activity. Both types of disaggregation machines are supported by small Hsps that sequester misfolded proteins.

Regulation of Human Hsc70 ATPase and Chaperone Activities by Apg2: Role of the Acidic Subdomain

Protein aggregate reactivation in metazoans is accomplished by the combined activity of Hsp70, Hsp40 and Hsp110 chaperones. Hsp110s support the refolding of aggregated polypeptides acting as specialized nucleotide exchange factors of Hsp70. We have studied how Apg2, one of the three human Hsp110s, regulates the activity of Hsc70 (HspA8), the constitutive Hsp70 in our cells. Apg2 shows a biphasic behavior: at low concentration, it stimulates the ATPase cycle of Hsc70, binding of the chaperone to protein aggregates and the refolding activity of the system, while it inhibits these three processes at high concentration. When the acidic subdomain of Apg2, a characteristic sequence present in the substrate binding domain of all Hsp110s, is deleted, the detrimental effects occur at lower concentration and are more pronounced, which concurs with an increase in the affinity of the Apg2 mutant for Hsc70. Our data support a mechanism in which Apg2 arrests the chaperone cycle through an interaction with Hsc70(ATP) that might lead to premature ATP dissociation before hydrolysis. In this line, the acidic subdomain might serve as a conformational switch to support dissociation of the Hsc70:Apg2 complex.

Structural and functional insights on the roles of molecular chaperones in the mistargeting and aggregation phenotypes associated with primary hyperoxaluria type I

To carry out their biological function in cells, proteins must be folded and targeted to the appropriate subcellular location. These processes are controlled by a vast collection of interacting proteins collectively known as the protein homeostasis network, in which molecular chaperones play a prominent role. Protein homeostasis can be impaired by inherited mutations leading to genetic diseases. In this chapter, we focus on a particular disease, primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1), in which disease-associated mutations exacerbate protein aggregation in the cell and mistarget the peroxisomal alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT) protein to mitochondria, in part due to native state destabilization and enhanced interaction with Hsp60, 70 and 90 chaperone systems. After a general introduction of molecular chaperones and PH1, we review our current knowledge on the structural and energetic features of PH1-causing mutants that lead to these particular pathogenic mechanisms. From this perspective, and in the context of the key role of molecular chaperones in PH1 pathogenesis, we present and discuss current and future perspectives for pharmacological treatments for this disease.

Structural and biochemical characterization of Plasmodium falciparum Hsp70-x reveals functional versatility of its C-terminal EEVN motif

Plasmodium falciparum, the main agent of malaria expresses six members of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) family. Hsp70s serve as protein folding facilitators in the cell. Amongst the six Hsp70 species that P. falciparum expresses, Hsp70-x (PfHsp70-x), is partially exported to the host red blood cell where it is implicated in host cell remodeling. Nearly 500 proteins of parasitic origin are exported to the parasite-infected red blood cell (RBC) along with PfHsp70-x. The role of PfHsp70-x in the infected human RBC remains largely unclear. One of the defining features of PfHsp70-x is the presence of EEVN residues at its C-terminus. In this regard, PfHsp70-x resembles canonical eukaryotic cytosol-localized Hsp70s which possess EEVD residues at their C-termini in place of the EEVN residues associated with PfHsp70-x. The EEVD residues of eukaryotic Hsp70s facilitate their interaction with co-chaperones. Characterization of the role of the EEVN residues of PfHsp70-x could provide insights into the function of this protein. In the current study, we expressed and purified recombinant PfHsp70-x (full length) and its EEVN minus form (PfHsp70-xT ). We then conducted structure- function assays towards establishing the role of the EEVN motif of PfHsp70-x. Our findings suggest that the EEVN residues of PfHsp70-x are important for its ATPase activity and chaperone function. Furthermore, the EEVN residues are crucial for the direct interaction between PfHsp70-x and human Hsp70-Hsp90 organizing protein (hHop) in vitro. Hop facilitates functional cooperation between Hsp70 and Hsp90. However, it remains to be established if PfHsp70-x and hHsp90 cooperate in vivo.

Genome-wide identification of HSP70/110 genes in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus and comparative analysis of their involvement in aestivation

HSP70/110s are a subgroup of heat shock proteins and play crucial roles in protein homeostasis. HSP70/110s can enhance cell survival in response to a multitude of stressful stimuli, of which the most studied one is heat stress. To perform a systematic study of HSP70/110s in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, 15 HSP70/110 genes, including 13 HSP70s and two HSP110s, were identified and characterized from the transcriptome and genome of sea cucumber. Moderate expansion and conserved structure were found by the phylogenetic and syntenic analysis. Differential expression patterns of HSP70/110s were observed in adult individuals during aestivation, with the comparison of juvenile individuals without aestivation in chronic heat stress. Tissue-specific expression profiles were found both in adult and juvenile individuals, which might indicate that the functional tissues (intestine and respiratory tree) could be restored to normal physiological activity prior to protecting and sporting tissues (body wall and muscle). Differential expression profiles were also observed between the adult and juvenile individuals, which was mainly due to the hypometabolism in aestivation. Taken together, tissue-specific pattern and individual-specific pattern were observed in the HSP70/110 expression profiles in sea cucumber during aestivation. These findings could provide early insight into the involvement of HSP70/110s in the aestivation of marine invertebrate.

Substrate relay in an Hsp70-cochaperone cascade safeguards tail-anchored membrane protein targeting

Membrane proteins are aggregation-prone in aqueous environments, and their biogenesis poses acute challenges to cellular protein homeostasis. How the chaperone network effectively protects integral membrane proteins during their post-translational targeting is not well understood. Here, biochemical reconstitutions showed that the yeast cytosolic Hsp70 is responsible for capturing newly synthesized tail-anchored membrane proteins (TAs) in the soluble form. Moreover, direct interaction of Hsp70 with the cochaperone Sgt2 initiates a sequential series of TA relays to the dedicated TA targeting factor Get3. In contrast to direct loading of TAs to downstream chaperones, stepwise substrate loading via Hsp70 maintains the solubility and targeting competence of TAs, ensuring their efficient delivery to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Inactivation of cytosolic Hsp70 severely impairs TA translocation in vivo Our results demonstrate a new role of cytosolic Hsp70 in directly assisting the targeting of an essential class of integral membrane proteins and provide a paradigm for how "substrate funneling" through a chaperone cascade preserves the conformational quality of nascent membrane proteins during their biogenesis.

Protein polarization driven by nucleoid exclusion of DnaK(HSP70)-substrate complexes

Many bacterial proteins require specific subcellular localization for function. How Escherichia coli proteins localize at one pole, however, is still not understood. Here, we show that the DnaK (HSP70) chaperone controls unipolar localization of the Shigella IpaC type III secretion substrate. While preventing the formation of lethal IpaC aggregates, DnaK promoted the incorporation of IpaC into large and dynamic complexes (LDCs) restricted at the bacterial pole through nucleoid occlusion. Unlike stable polymers and aggregates, LDCs show dynamic behavior indicating that nucleoid occlusion also applies to complexes formed through transient interactions. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis shows DnaK-IpaC exchanges between opposite poles and DnaKJE-mediated incorporation of immature substrates in LDCs. These findings reveal a key role for LDCs as reservoirs of functional DnaK-substrates that can be rapidly mobilized for secretion triggered upon bacterial contact with host cells.

Many bacterial proteins exhibit spatially defined localization important for function. Here the authors show that the polar localization of Shigella IpaC type III secretion substrate is mediated by its interaction with the DnaK chaperone and occlusion by the bacterial nucleoid.

Protein-Protein Interactions in the Molecular Chaperone Network

Molecular chaperones play a central role in protein homeostasis (a.k.a. proteostasis) by balancing protein folding, quality control, and turnover. To perform these diverse tasks, chaperones need the malleability to bind nearly any "client" protein and the fidelity to detect when it is misfolded. Remarkably, these activities are carried out by only ∼180 dedicated chaperones in humans. How do a relatively small number of chaperones maintain cellular and organismal proteostasis for an entire proteome? Furthermore, once a chaperone binds a client, how does it "decide" what to do with it? One clue comes from observations that individual chaperones engage in protein-protein interactions (PPIs)-both with each other and with their clients. These physical links coordinate multiple chaperones into organized, functional complexes and facilitate the "handoff" of clients between them. PPIs also link chaperones and their clients to other cellular pathways, such as those that mediate trafficking (e.g., cytoskeleton) and degradation (e.g., proteasome). The PPIs of the chaperone network have a wide range of affinity values (nanomolar to micromolar) and involve many distinct types of domain modules, such as J domains, zinc fingers, and tetratricopeptide repeats. Many of these motifs have the same binding surfaces on shared partners, such that members of one chaperone class often compete for the same interactions. Somehow, this collection of PPIs draws together chaperone families and creates multiprotein subnetworks that are able to make the "decisions" of protein quality control. The key to understanding chaperone-mediated proteostasis might be to understand how PPIs are regulated. This Account will discuss the efforts of our group and others to map, measure, and chemically perturb the PPIs within the molecular chaperone network. Structural biology methods, including X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and electron microscopy, have all played important roles in visualizing the chaperone PPIs. Guided by these efforts and -omics approaches to measure PPIs, new advances in high-throughput chemical screening that are specially designed to account for the challenges of this system have emerged. Indeed, chemical biology has played a particularly important role in this effort, as molecules that either promote or inhibit specific PPIs have proven to be invaluable research probes in cells and animals. In addition, these molecules have provided leads for the potential treatment of protein misfolding diseases. One of the major products of this research field has been the identification of putative PPI drug targets within the chaperone network, which might be used to change chaperone "decisions" and rebalance proteostasis.

Nucleotide exchange factors Fes1 and HspBP1 mimic substrate to release misfolded proteins from Hsp70

Protein quality control depends on the tight regulation of interactions between molecular chaperones and polypeptide substrates. Substrate release from the chaperone Hsp70 is triggered by nucleotide-exchange factors (NEFs) that control folding and degradation fates via poorly understood mechanisms. We found that the armadillo-type NEFs budding yeast Fes1 and its human homolog HspBP1 employ flexible N-terminal release domains (RDs) with substrate-mimicking properties to ensure the efficient release of persistent substrates from Hsp70. The RD contacts the substrate-binding domain of the chaperone, competes with peptide substrate for binding and is essential for proper function in yeast and mammalian cells. Thus, the armadillo domain engages Hsp70 to trigger nucleotide exchange, whereas the RD safeguards the release of substrates. Our findings provide fundamental mechanistic insight into the functional specialization of Hsp70 NEFs and have implications for the understanding of proteostasis-related disorders, including Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome.

Conformation transitions of the polypeptide-binding pocket support an active substrate release from Hsp70s

Cellular protein homeostasis depends on heat shock proteins 70 kDa (Hsp70s), a class of ubiquitous and highly conserved molecular chaperone. Key to the chaperone activity is an ATP-induced allosteric regulation of polypeptide substrate binding and release. To illuminate the molecular mechanism of this allosteric coupling, here we present a novel crystal structure of an intact human BiP, an essential Hsp70 in ER, in an ATP-bound state. Strikingly, the polypeptide-binding pocket is completely closed, seemingly excluding any substrate binding. Our FRET, biochemical and EPR analysis suggests that this fully closed conformation is the major conformation for the ATP-bound state in solution, providing evidence for an active release of bound polypeptide substrates following ATP binding. The Hsp40 co-chaperone converts this fully closed conformation to an open conformation to initiate productive substrate binding. Taken together, this study provided a mechanistic understanding of the dynamic nature of the polypeptide-binding pocket in the Hsp70 chaperone cycle.

Hsp70s are highly conserved molecular chaperones that play multiple essential roles in maintaining cellular protein homeostasis. Here, the authors provide structural evidence for active substrate release by Hsp70s upon ATP binding and provide insight into the molecular mechanism of ATP-driven Hsp70 chaperone activity.

Substrate binding by the yeast Hsp110 nucleotide exchange factor and molecular chaperone Sse1 is not obligate for its biological activities

The highly conserved heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is a ubiquitous molecular chaperone essential for maintaining cellular protein homeostasis. The related protein Hsp110 (Sse1/Sse2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) functions as a nucleotide exchange factor (NEF) to regulate the protein folding activity of Hsp70. Hsp110/Sse1 also can prevent protein aggregation in vitro via its substrate-binding domain (SBD), but the cellular roles of this "holdase" activity are poorly defined. We generated and characterized an Sse1 mutant that separates, for the first time, its nucleotide exchange and substrate-binding functions. Sse1_sbd retains nucleotide-binding and nucleotide exchange activities while exhibiting severe deficiencies in chaperone holdase activity for unfolded polypeptides. In contrast, we observed no effect of the SBD mutation in reconstituted disaggregation or refolding reactions in vitro. In vivo, Sse1_sbd successfully heterodimerized with the yeast cytosolic Hsp70s Ssa and Ssb and promoted normal growth, with the exception of sensitivity to prolonged heat but not other proteotoxic stress. Moreover, Sse1_sbd was fully competent to support Hsp90-dependent signaling through heterologously expressed glucocorticoid receptor and degradation of a permanently misfolded protein, two previously defined roles for Sse1. We conclude that despite conservation among eukaryotic homologues, chaperone holdase activity is not an obligate function in the Hsp110 family.

A disulfide-bonded DnaK dimer is maintained in an ATP-bound state

DnaK, a major Hsp70 molecular chaperones in Escherichia coli, is a widely used model for studying Hsp70s. We recently solved a crystal structure of DnaK in complex with ATP and showed that DnaK was packed as a dimer in the crystal structure. Our previous biochemical studies supported the formation of a specific DnaK dimer as observed in the crystal structure in solution in the presence of ATP and suggested an important role of this dimer in efficient interaction with Hsp40 co-chaperones. In this study, we dissected the biochemical properties of this DnaK dimer. To restrict DnaK in this dimer form, we mutated two residues on the dimer interface to cysteine, A303C, and H541C. Upon oxidation, this DnaK-A303C-H541C protein formed a specific dimer linked by disulfide bonds formed between A303C and H541C only in the presence of ATP, consistent with the crystal structure. Intriguingly, this disulfide-bond-linked dimer of DnaK-A303C-H541C has reduced ATPase activity and decreased affinity for peptide substrate. More interestingly, unlike wild-type DnaK, the peptide substrate-binding kinetics of this dimer is drastically accelerated even in the absence of ATP, suggesting this dimer is restricted in an ATP-bound conformation regardless of nucleotide bound, which was further supported by our analysis using tryptophan fluorescence and ATP-induced peptide release. Thus, formation of the dimer restricted DnaK in an ATP-bound state and blocked the progression through the chaperone cycle. Productive progression through the chaperone cycle requires the dissociation of this transient dimer. Surprisingly, a significantly compromised interaction with Hsp40 co-chaperone was observed for this disulfide-bond-linked dimer. Thus, dissociation of this DnaK dimer is equally crucial for efficient Hsp40 interaction. An initial interaction between Hsp70 and Hsp40 requires the formation of DnaK dimer; but a stable Hsp70-Hsp40 interaction may follow the dissociation of the dimer.

Computational Analysis of Residue Interaction Networks and Coevolutionary Relationships in the Hsp70 Chaperones: A Community-Hopping Model of Allosteric Regulation and Communication

Allosteric interactions in the Hsp70 proteins are linked with their regulatory mechanisms and cellular functions. Despite significant progress in structural and functional characterization of the Hsp70 proteins fundamental questions concerning modularity of the allosteric interaction networks and hierarchy of signaling pathways in the Hsp70 chaperones remained largely unexplored and poorly understood. In this work, we proposed an integrated computational strategy that combined atomistic and coarse-grained simulations with coevolutionary analysis and network modeling of the residue interactions. A novel aspect of this work is the incorporation of dynamic residue correlations and coevolutionary residue dependencies in the construction of allosteric interaction networks and signaling pathways. We found that functional sites involved in allosteric regulation of Hsp70 may be characterized by structural stability, proximity to global hinge centers and local structural environment that is enriched by highly coevolving flexible residues. These specific characteristics may be necessary for regulation of allosteric structural transitions and could distinguish regulatory sites from nonfunctional conserved residues. The observed confluence of dynamics correlations and coevolutionary residue couplings with global networking features may determine modular organization of allosteric interactions and dictate localization of key mediating sites. Community analysis of the residue interaction networks revealed that concerted rearrangements of local interacting modules at the inter-domain interface may be responsible for global structural changes and a population shift in the DnaK chaperone. The inter-domain communities in the Hsp70 structures harbor the majority of regulatory residues involved in allosteric signaling, suggesting that these sites could be integral to the network organization and coordination of structural changes. Using a network-based formalism of allostery, we introduced a community-hopping model of allosteric communication. Atomistic reconstruction of signaling pathways in the DnaK structures captured a direction-specific mechanism and molecular details of signal transmission that are fully consistent with the mutagenesis experiments. The results of our study reconciled structural and functional experiments from a network-centric perspective by showing that global properties of the residue interaction networks and coevolutionary signatures may be linked with specificity and diversity of allosteric regulation mechanisms.

The diversity of allosteric mechanisms in the Hsp70 proteins could range from modulation of the inter-domain interactions and conformational dynamics to fine-tuning of the Hsp70 interactions with co-chaperones. The goal of this study is to present a systematic computational analysis of the dynamic and evolutionary factors underlying allosteric structural transformations of the Hsp70 proteins. We investigated the relationship between functional dynamics, residue coevolution, and network organization of residue interactions in the Hsp70 proteins. The results of this study revealed that conformational dynamics of the Hsp70 proteins may be linked with coevolutionary propensities and mutual information dependencies of the protein residues. Modularity and connectivity of allosteric interactions in the Hsp70 chaperones are coordinated by stable functional sites that feature unique coevolutionary signatures and high network centrality. The emergence of the inter-domain communities that are coordinated by functional centers and include highly coevolving residues could facilitate structural transitions through cooperative reorganization of the local interacting modules. We determined that the differences in the modularity of the residue interactions and organization of coevolutionary networks in DnaK may be associated with variations in their allosteric mechanisms. The network signatures of the DnaK structures are characteristic of a population-shift allostery that allows for coordinated structural rearrangements of local communities. A dislocation of mediating centers and insufficient coevolutionary coupling between functional regions may render a reduced cooperativity and promote a limited entropy-driven allostery in the Sse1 chaperone that occurs without structural changes. The results of this study showed that a network-centric framework and a community-hopping model of allosteric communication pathways may provide novel insights into molecular and evolutionary principles of allosteric regulation in the Hsp70 proteins.

Members of the Hsp70 Family Recognize Distinct Types of Sequences to Execute ER Quality Control

Protein maturation in the endoplasmic reticulum is controlled by multiple chaperones, but how they recognize and determine the fate of their clients remains unclear. We developed an in vivo peptide library covering substrates of the ER Hsp70 system: BiP, Grp170, and three of BiP's DnaJ-family co-factors (ERdj3, ERdj4, and ERdj5). In vivo binding studies revealed that sites for pro-folding chaperones BiP and ERdj3 were frequent and dispersed throughout the clients, whereas Grp170, ERdj4, and ERdj5 specifically recognized a distinct type of rarer sequence with a high predicted aggregation potential. Mutational analyses provided insights into sequence recognition characteristics for these pro-degradation chaperones, which could be readily introduced or disrupted, allowing the consequences for client fates to be determined. Our data reveal unanticipated diversity in recognition sequences for chaperones; establish a sequence-encoded interplay between protein folding, aggregation, and degradation; and highlight the ability of clients to co-evolve with chaperones, ensuring quality control.

Unfolding the Role of Large Heat Shock Proteins: New Insights and Therapeutic Implications

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) of eukaryotes are evolutionarily conserved molecules present in all the major intracellular organelles. They mainly function as molecular chaperones and participate in maintenance of protein homeostasis in physiological state and under stressful conditions. Despite their relative abundance, the large HSPs, i.e., Hsp110 and glucose-regulated protein 170 (Grp170), have received less attention compared to other conventional HSPs. These proteins are distantly related to the Hsp70 and belong to Hsp70 superfamily. Increased sizes of Hsp110 and Grp170, due to the presence of a loop structure, result in their exceptional capability in binding to polypeptide substrates or non-protein ligands, such as pathogen-associated molecules. These interactions that occur in the extracellular environment during tissue injury or microbial infection may lead to amplification of an immune response engaging both innate and adaptive immune components. Here, we review the current advances in understanding these large HSPs as molecular chaperones in proteostasis control and immune modulation as well as their therapeutic implications in treatment of cancer and neurodegeneration. Given their unique immunoregulatory activities, we also discuss the emerging evidence of their potential involvement in inflammatory and immune-related diseases.