Cotranslocation and colocalization of hsp40 (DnaJ) with hsp70 (DnaK) in mammalian cells

Hyper-transcription of heat shock factors and heat shock proteins safeguard caprine cardiac cells against heat stress

The present study was undertaken to document the transcriptional abundance of heat shock factors and heat shock proteins and their role in survivability of caprine cardiac cells during heat stress. Cardiac tissues were collected from different goats (n = 6) and primary cardiac cell culture was done in an atmosphere of 5% CO₂ and 95% air at 38.5 °C. Cardiac cells accomplished 70-75% confluence after 72 h of incubation. Confluent cardiac cells were exposed to heat stress at 42 °C for 0 (control), 20, 60, 100 and 200 min. Quantitative RT-PCR for β2m (internal control), heat shock factors (HSF1, HSF2, HSF4, HSF5), heat shock proteins (HSP10, HSP40), and Caspase-3 was done and their transcriptional abundance was assessed by Pfaffl method. Transcriptional abundance of HSF1, HSF2, and HSF4 did not change at 20 min, increased (P < 0.05) from 60 to 200 min and reached zenith at 200 min of heat exposure. However, transcriptional abundance of HSF5 was gradually escalated (P < 0.05) from 20 to 200 min and registered highest at 200 min of heat exposure. Transcriptional abundance of HSP10 and HSP40 followed an similar pattern like that of HSF5. Transcriptional abundance of Caspase-3 was significantly down-regulated at 200 min of heat exposure. It could be speculated that over-expression of HSFs and HSPs might have reduced Caspase-3 expression at 200 min of heat exposure suggesting their involvement in cardiac cells survival under heat stress. Moreover, hyper-expression of HSFs and HSPs could maintain the integrity and endurance of cardiac tissues of goats under heat stress.

Evolving paradigms on the interplay of mitochondrial Hsp70 chaperone system in cell survival and senescence

The role of mitochondria within a cell has grown beyond being the prime source of cellular energy to one of the major signaling platforms. Recent evidence provides several insights into the crucial roles of mitochondrial chaperones in regulating the organellar response to external triggers. The mitochondrial Hsp70 (mtHsp70/Mortalin/Grp75) chaperone system plays a critical role in the maintenance of proteostasis balance in the organelle. Defects in mtHsp70 network result in attenuated protein transport and misfolding of polypeptides leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. The functions of Hsp70 are primarily governed by J-protein cochaperones. Although human mitochondria possess a single Hsp70, its multifunctionality is characterized by the presence of multiple specific J-proteins. Several studies have shown a potential association of Hsp70 and J-proteins with diverse pathological states that are not limited to their canonical role as chaperones. The role of mitochondrial Hsp70 and its co-chaperones in disease pathogenesis has not been critically reviewed in recent years. We evaluated some of the cellular interfaces where Hsp70 machinery associated with pathophysiological conditions, particularly in context of tumorigenesis and neurodegeneration. The mitochondrial Hsp70 machinery shows a variable localization and integrates multiple components of the cellular processes with varied phenotypic consequences. Although Hsp70 and J-proteins function synergistically in proteins folding, their precise involvement in pathological conditions is mainly idiosyncratic. This machinery is associated with a heterogeneous set of molecules during the progression of a disorder. However, the precise binding to the substrate for a specific physiological response under a disease subtype is still an undocumented area of analysis.

Expression and localization of heat-shock proteins during skeletal muscle cell proliferation and differentiation and the impact of heat stress

Skeletal myogenesis is a coordinated sequence of events associated with dramatic changes in cell morphology, motility, and metabolism, which causes cellular stress and alters proteostasis. Chaperones, such as heat-shock proteins (HSPs), play important roles in limiting cellular stresses and maintaining proteostasis, but whether HSPs are specifically involved in myogenesis is not well understood. Here, we characterized gene and protein expression and subcellular localization of various HSPs in proliferating C2C12 myoblasts and differentiating myotubes under control conditions and in response to heat stress. Hsp25, Hsp40, and Hsp60 protein expression declined by 48, 35, and 83%, respectively, during differentiation. In contrast, Hsp70 protein levels doubled during early differentiation. Hsp25 was predominantly localized to the cytoplasm of myoblasts and myotubes but formed distinct aggregates in perinuclear spaces of myoblasts after heat-shock. Hsp40 was distributed diffusely throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus and, after heat-shock, translocated to the nucleus of myoblasts but formed aggregates in myotubes. Hsp60 localized to the perinuclear space in myoblasts but was distributed more diffusely across the cytoplasm in myotubes. Hsp70 was expressed diffusely throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus and translocated to the nucleus after heat-shock in myoblasts, but not in myotubes. Hsp90 was expressed diffusely across the cytoplasm in both myoblasts and myotubes under control conditions and did not change in response to heat-shock. These findings reveal distinct and different roles for HSPs in the regulation of myogenic cell proliferation and differentiation.

Reactivation of heat-inactivated Ku proteins by heat shock cognate protein HSC73

PURPOSE

Mouse double-stranded DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity is heat sensitive. Recovery of heat-inactivated DNA repair activity is a problem after combination therapy with radiation and heat. We investigated the mechanism of recovery of heat-inactivated DNA-PK activity.

METHODS

Hybrid cells containing a fragment of human chromosome 8 in scid cells (RD13B2) were used. DNA-PK activity was measured by an in vitro assay. Immunoprecipitation of the nuclear extract was performed with an anti-Ku80 antibody. Proteins co-precipitated with Ku80 were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and detected by Western blotting using anti-heat shock protein (HSP)72 and anti-heat shock cognate protein (HSC)73 antibodies. HSC73 was overexpressed with the pcDNA3.1 vector. Short hairpin (sh)RNA was used to downregulate HSC73 and HSP72.

RESULTS

The activity of heat-inactivated DNA-PK recovered to about 50% of control during an additional incubation at 37 °C after heat treatment at 44 °C for 15 min in the presence of cycloheximide (which inhibits de novo protein synthesis). Maximal recovery was observed within 3 h of incubation at 37 °C after heat treatment. Constitutively expressed HSC73, which folds newly synthesized proteins, reached maximal levels 3 h after heat treatment using a co-immunoprecipitation assay with the Ku80 protein. Inhibiting HSC73, but not HSP72, expression with shRNA decreased the recovery of DNA-PK activity after heat treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that de novo protein synthesis is unnecessary for recovery of some heat-inactivated DNA-PK. Rather, it might be reactivated by the molecular chaperone activity of HSC73, but not HSP72.

Hsp70 architecture: the formation of novel polymeric structures of Hsp70.1 and Hsc70 after proteotoxic stress

Heat induces Hsp70.1 (HSPA1) and Hsc70 (HSPA8) to form complex detergent insoluble cytoplasmic and nuclear structures that are distinct from the cytoskeleton and internal cell membranes. These novel structures have not been observed by earlier immunofluorescence studies as they are obscured by the abundance of soluble Hsp70.1/Hsc70 present in cells. While resistant to detergents, these Hsp70 structures display complex intracellular dynamics and are efficiently disaggregated by ATP, indicating that this pool of Hsp70.1/Hsc70 retains native function and regulation. Hsp70.1 promotes the repair of proteotoxic damage and cell survival after stress. In heated fibroblasts expressing Hsp70.1, Hsp70.1 and Hsc70 complexes are efficiently disaggregated before the cells undergo-heat induced apoptosis. In the absence of Hsp70.1, fibroblasts have increased rates of heat-induced apoptosis and maintain stable insoluble Hsc70 structures. The differences in the intracellular distribution of Hsp70.1 and Hsc70, combined with the ability of Hsp70.1, but not Hsc70, to promote the disaggregation of insoluble Hsp70.1/Hsc70 complexes, indicate that these two closely related proteins perform distinctly different cellular functions in heated cells.

Reciprocal regulation of human immunodeficiency virus-1 gene expression and replication by heat shock proteins 40 and 70

Cellular heat shock proteins (Hsps) are induced upon heat shock, UV irradiation and microbial or viral infection. They are also known to be involved in apoptosis and immune response in addition to their chaperone function. Although some literature exists regarding the role of Hsps in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection, a clear understanding of their role remains elusive. Previously, we have shown that Hsp40, a co-chaperone of Hsp70, interacts with HIV-1 negative regulatory factor (Nef) and is required for Nef-mediated increase in viral gene expression and replication. We now show that Hsp70 is also present in the Nef-Hsp40 complex reported earlier. Furthermore, Hsp70 inhibits viral gene expression and replication; however, Hsp40 can rescue this down regulation of viral gene expression induced by Hsp70. We also show that HIV-1 viral protein R is required for this inhibitory effect of Hsp70 on viral replication. Our data further show that Hsp40 is consistently up regulated in HIV-1 infection, whereas Hsp70 is down regulated after initial up regulation favoring viral replication. Finally, Hsp70 expression inhibits the phosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 required for high-affinity binding of HIV-1 transactivator of transcription-positive transcription elongation factor b complex to transactivation response RNA, whereas Hsp40 seems to induce it. Thus, Hsp40 and Hsp70, both closely associated in their chaperone function, seem to act contrary to each other in regulating viral gene expression. It seems that Hsp70 favors the host by inhibiting viral replication, whereas Hsp40 works in favor of the virus by inducing its replication. Thus, differential expression of Hsp40 and Hsp70 reciprocally regulates viral gene expression and replication in HIV-1 infection.

HDJC9, a novel human type C DnaJ/HSP40 member interacts with and cochaperones HSP70 through the J domain

HSP40s are a subfamily of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and play important roles in regulation of cell proliferation, survival and apoptosis by serving as chaperones for HSP70s. Up to date hundreds of HSP40 proteins derived from various species ranging from Escherichia coli to homo sapiens have been identified. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a novel human type C DnaJ homologue, HDJC9, containing a typical N-terminal J domain. HDJC9 is upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels upon various stress and mitogenic stimulations. HDJC9 is mainly localized in cell nuclei under normal culture conditions while it is transported into cytoplasm and plasma membrane upon heat shock stress through a non-classical and lipid-dependent pathway. HDJC9 can interact with HSP70s and activate the ATPase activity of HSP70s, both of which are dependent on the J domain. Our data suggest that HDJC9 is a novel cochaperone for HSP70s.

Heat Shock Protein 40 Is Necessary for Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Nef-mediated Enhancement of Viral Gene Expression and Replication

The human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) Nef protein, originally identified as a negative factor, has now emerged as one of the most important viral proteins necessary for viral pathogenesis and disease progression. Nef has been also implicated in viral infectivity and replication, however, the molecular mechanism of Nef-induced viral gene expression and replication is not clearly understood. Although involvement of heat shock proteins in viral pathogenesis has been reported earlier, a clear understanding of their role remains to be elucidated. Here we report for the first time that Nef not only interacts with heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40) but it also induces the expression of Hsp40 in HIV-1-infected cells. The interaction between Nef and Hsp40 is important for increased Hsp40 translocation into the nucleus of infected cells, which seems to facilitate viral gene expression by becoming part of the cyclin-dependent kinase 9-associated transcription complex regulating long terminal repeat-mediated gene expression. The finding is consistent with the failure of the nef-deleted virus to induce Hsp40, resulting in reduced virus production. Our data further shows that, whereas, Hsp40 overexpression induces viral gene expression, silencing of Hsp40 reduces the gene expression in a Nef-dependent manner. Thus our results clearly indicate that Hsp40 is crucial for Nef-mediated enhancement of viral gene expression and replication.

Hsc40, a new member of the hsp40 family, exhibits similar expression profile to that of hsc70 in mammalian cells

Here, we report the identification and characterization of a new hsp40 family member, heat shock cognate 40 (hsc40), which may be a specific functional partner for hsc70. The hsc40 gene consists of five exons and four introns. The previously characterized hsp40 gene contains only three exons and two introns. Despite this difference in the numbers of exons and introns, the structures of these two genes are actually quite similar. If the first two exons and introns of the hsc40 gene are excluded, the rest is essentially the same as the whole hsp40 gene. The intron/exon boundaries of the hsc40 and hsp40 genes are conserved with respect to amino acid coding, indicating that the hsp40 gene might have arisen from a duplicated hsc40 gene, which developed a new transcription-regulatory mechanism in the second intron. Hsc40 is evolutionally conserved. There is over 95% sequence identity between the putative mouse and human hsc40 proteins. However, there is only 60% sequence identity between the hsc40 and hsp40 proteins from either human or mouse cells. Northern blot analysis of various tissues and cells in culture revealed that this gene was expressed under normal conditions, and its expression was further increased after various stress treatments. The expression pattern of the hsc40 gene is very similar to that of the hsc70 gene under both normal and stress conditions, whereas the hsp40 gene exhibited an expression pattern more similar to that of hsp70 genes on the same Northern blots. These results, considered along with the high rate of sequence conservation between the same proteins from different species and high rate of variation between the two different proteins from the same species, strongly suggest that hsc40 and hsp40 may perform different functions and/or have different specificities in the cell.

Detection of chromatin-bound PCNA in mammalian cells and its use to study DNA excision repair

Compelling evidence indicates that proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an indispensable factor not only in DNA replication but in nucleotide excision repair (NER), alternative pathway of base excision repair (BER), and mismatch repair. The common function of PCNA in each of these is to assist in the initiation of DNA synthesis by providing a scaffolding clamp as a trimer catalyzed by RF-C at the 3'-OH terminus of a nascent DNA strand, to which DNA polymerase delta or epsilon can bind. Interestingly, DNA synthesis is reported to be ingeniously inhibited in replication, but not in NER owing to the interaction with CDKN1A (formerly known as p21/WAF1/CIP1). Furthermore, several proteins, XPG, FEN1, and DNA ligase I, recently were shown to competitively bind to the same region of PCNA, the interdomain connector loop, to which DNA polymerase delta or epsilon also binds. PCNA therefore seems to have a regulatory role in these DNA transactions. The in vitro reconstituted experimental system has been a powerful tool to obtain these lines of evidence, but another approach, immunofluorescence studies, also has been a contributor. In fact, the involvement of PCNA in DNA replication, NER, and BER has for the first time been indicated by a unique method that makes visible only in vivo chromatin-bound PCNA. The usefulness of this method and the importance of cooperative studies done with in vitro and in vivo experimental systems is discussed in terms of DNA excision repair.

Presence of molecular chaperones, heat shock cognate (Hsc) 70 and heat shock proteins (Hsp) 40, in the postsynaptic structures of rat brain

The synaptic localization of molecular chaperones, heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70) and Hsp40, was investigated immunohistochemically in the normal rat brain. Postsynaptic density (PSD) fractions contained a constitutive form of HSP70, heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70 or p73) but not inducible form of HSP70 (p72). The immunoreactivities of Hsc70 (p73) were distributed throughout the rat brain, in neuronal somata, dendrites and axons. Their immunoreactivity in neurons was localized in the cytoplasmic matrix, dendrites, and spines at the electron microscopic level. Presynaptic terminals, but less frequently than postsynaptic staining, were also reactive. Postsynaptic areas immediately beneath the synaptic contact or PSDs were immunoreactive for Hsc70. The Hsp40 was highly concentrated in PSD fractions. The staining of Hsp40 immunoreactivity was punctate and distributed widely in the brain. Hsp40 immunoreactivity was localized in dendritic spines, especially in the subsynaptic web, with weak staining of PSDs at the electron microscopic level. Double immunofluorescent staining and confocal microscopy revealed that Hsc70 and Hsp40 were co-localized on somata and neuronal processes of cultured cerebral neurons, on which synaptophysin immunoreactive spots were scattered. These results suggest that Hsp40 and Hsc70 are co-localized at postsynaptic sites and postsynaptic chaperone activity may be mediated by these two heat shock proteins.

Human Hsp70 and Hsp40 chaperone proteins facilitate human papillomavirus-11 E1 protein binding to the origin and stimulate cell-free DNA replication

Human papillomavirus replication initiator, the E1 helicase, binds weakly to the origin of DNA replication. Purified human chaperone proteins Hsp70 and Hsp40 (HDJ-1 and HDJ-2) independently and additively enhanced E1 binding to the origin. The interaction between E1 and Hsp70 was transient and required ATP hydrolysis, whereas Hsp40 bound to E1 directly and remained in the complex. A peptide of 20 residues spanning the HPD loop and helix II of the J domain of YDJ-1 also stimulated E1 binding to the origin, alone or in combination with Hsp70 or Hsp40. A mutated peptide (H34Q) had a reduced activity, while an adjacent or an overlapping peptide had no effect. Neither Hsp70 nor the J peptide altered the E1/DNA ratio in the complex. Electron microscopy showed that E1 mainly bound to DNA as a hexamer. In the presence of Hsp40, E1 primarily bound to DNA as a dihexamer. Preincubation of chaperones with viral E1 and template shortened the lag time and increased replication in a cell-free system. Since two helicases are essential for bidirectional replication of human papillomavirus DNA, these results demonstrate that, as in prokaryotes, chaperones play an important role in the assembly of preinitiation complexes on the origin.

Effects of transient cerebral ischemia on hsp40 mRNA levels in rat brain

Rats were subjected to transient cerebral ischemia by four-vessel occlusion of 30 min duration, followed by 2, 4, 8 or 24 h of recovery. Total RNA was isolated from the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and reverse transcribed into cDNA. Hsp40 mRNA levels of samples were evaluated by quantitative PCR. Transient cerebral ischemia caused a marked increase in hsp40 mRNA levels to about 250% and 500% of control in the cortex and hippocampus respectively. Since hsp40 exerts a critical regulatory function in the HSC70/HSP70 ATPase cycle, an ischemia-induced rise of hsp40 mRNA levels could mark the onset of the recovery process after transient ischemia. On the other hand, the inhibitory action of hsp40 on P58 (a protein that activates protein synthesis by blocking the interferon-induced double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase PKR) implies that the rise in hsp40 expression may equally well contribute to the post-ischemic suppression of protein synthesis.

The human DnaJ homologue dj2 facilitates mitochondrial protein import and luciferase refolding

DnaJ homologues function in cooperation with hsp70 family members in various cellular processes including intracellular protein trafficking and folding. Three human DnaJ homologues present in the cytosol have been identified: dj1 (hsp40/hdj-1), dj2 (HSDJ/hdj-2), and neuronal tissue-specific hsj1. dj1 is thought to be engaged in folding of nascent polypeptides, whereas functions of the other DnaJ homologues remain to be elucidated. To investigate roles of dj2 and dj1, we developed a system of chaperone depletion from and readdition to rabbit reticulocyte lysates. Using this system, we found that heat shock cognate 70 protein (hsc70) and dj2, but not dj1, are involved in mitochondrial import of preornithine transcarbamylase. Bacterial DnaJ could replace mammalian dj2 in mitochondrial protein import. We also tested the effects of these DnaJ homologues on folding of guanidine-denatured firefly luciferase. Unexpectedly, dj2, but not dj1, together with hsc70 refolded the protein efficiently. We propose that dj2 is the functional partner DnaJ homologue of hsc70 in the mammalian cytosol. Bacterial DnaJ protein could replace mammalian dj2 in the refolding of luciferase. Thus, the cytosolic chaperone system for mitochondrial protein import and for protein folding is highly conserved, involving DnaK and DnaJ in bacteria, Ssa1-4p and Ydj1p in yeast, and hsc70 and dj2 in mammals.

Specific intranucleolar distribution of Hsp70 during heat shock in polytene cells

Hsp70, the most abundant and conserved heat shock protein, has been described as strongly concentrating in the nucleolus during heat shock. The important metabolic processes that take place in the nucleolus, rDNA transcription, processing, and assembling with ribosomal proteins, and the nucleolar architecture itself are very sensitive to temperature changes. In this work, we have analyzed in detail the nucleolar changes, in structure and activity, induced by temperature in Chironomus thummi salivary gland cells and the fine subnucleolar localization of Hsp70 during heat shock. The optimum temperature chosen to induce the heat shock response was 35 degrees C. Under these conditions transcription of heat shock genes, inactivation of previously active genes and maximum synthesis of Hsps take place, while survival of larvae and recovery were ensured. After 1 h at 35 degrees C, nucleoli change from a uniform control pattern to a segregated pattern of nucleolar components that can be observed even at the light microscopic level. The dense fibrillar component (DFC) and the granular component appeared perfectly differentiated and spatially separated, the former occupying mainly the central inner region surrounded by a rim of granular component. Hsp70 was specifically localized within the DFC upon heat shock as shown by immunolocalization by both light and electron microscopy. Pulse labeling with [3H]uridine proves that rRNA transcription continues during heat shock. The pattern of Hsp70 distribution within the nucleolus correlates with that of newly produced rRNA transcripts. Hsp70 also colocalizes with RNA polymerase I, both being restricted to the DFC. These data show that the DFC seems to be the intranucleolar target for Hsp70 in heat-shocked cells. We discuss these results in relation to the possible function of Hsp70 in the first steps of preribosome synthesis.

Hsp40, a possible indicator for thermotolerance of murine tumour in vivo

The relationship between Hsp40/Hsp70 synthesis and the development of thermotolerance was investigated using mouse squamous cell carcinoma in vivo. To examine the thermotolerance, tumours were heated at 44 degrees C for 30 min as conditioning heating. After various intervals they were heated again at 44 degrees C for 90 min as challenge heating. The tumour response to heat was evaluated by the growth delay. Thermotolerance rapidly developed with increasing interval and reached a maximum at 12 h interval. Subsequently, thermotolerance gradually decayed and almost disappeared at 120 h interval. Under this condition, synthesis of Hsp40/Hsp70 increased after conditioning heating, reached a maximum at 12 h interval, then gradually decreased thereafter within 120 h. The kinetics of accumulation and decay of both Hsp40 and Hsp70 were very similar. The extent of thermotolerance was well correlated with the relative amount of Hsp40/Hsp70. These results obtained in vivo were very similar to those in vitro (Kaneko et al. 1995). Our findings suggest that Hsp40 could be a useful indicator of the degree of thermotolerance in addition to Hsp70 in vivo as in vitro.

The molecular chaperone hsp40 regulates the activity of P58IPK, the cellular inhibitor of PKR

The interferon-induced double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase, PKR, likely contributes to both the antiviral and the antiproliferative effects of interferon. We previously found that influenza virus avoids the translational inhibitory effects of activated PKR by activating a cellular inhibitory protein, termed P58IPK, based on its Mr of 58,000. P58IPK is a member of the tetratricopeptide family of proteins and possesses significant homology to the conserved J region of the DnaJ family of heat shock proteins. We earlier hypothesized that P58IPK was kept in an inactive state with its own inhibitor (termed I-P58IPK) in uninfected cells. We therefore attempted the purification and characterization of I-P58IPK. The following data suggest that we have identified the molecular chaperone, hsp40, as 1-P58IPK. (i) The MonoP-purified I-P58IPK protein reacted with hsp40 antibody. (ii) This preparation demonstrated high specific activity in an in vitro functional assay containing only purified recombinant and native components. (iii) Purified, recombinant hsp40 protein inhibited P58IPK in an identical in vitro assay. (iv) Finally, we demonstrate that hsp40 directly complexes with P58IPK, in vitro, suggesting the inhibition occurs through a direct interaction. Our data, taken together, provide evidence for a novel intersection between the heat shock and interferon pathways, and suggest that influenza virus regulates PKR activity through the recruitment of a cellular stress pathway.