Cell Stress and Chaperones最新文献

Extracellular heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is recognized by receptors on the plasma membrane, such as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TLR2, CD14, and CD40. This leads to activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, enhancement of the phagocytic activity of innate immune cells, and stimulation of antigen-specific responses. However, the specific characteristics of HSP70 binding are still unknown, and all HSP70 receptors have not yet been described. Putative models for HSP70 complexation to the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGEs), considering both ADP- and ATP-bound states of HSP70, were obtained through molecular docking and interaction energy calculations. This interaction was detected and visualized by a proximity fluorescence-based assay in A549 cells and further analyzed by normal mode analyses of the docking complexes. The interacting energy of the complexes showed that the most favored docking situation occurs between HSP70 ATP-bound and RAGE in its monomeric state. The fluorescence proximity assay presented a higher number of detected spots in the HSP70 ATP treatment, corroborating with the computational result. Normal-mode analyses showed no conformational deformability in the interacting interface of the complexes. Results were compared with previous findings in which oxidized HSP70 was shown to be responsible for the differential modulation of macrophage activation, which could result from a signaling pathway triggered by RAGE binding. Our data provide important insights into the characteristics of HSP70 binding and receptor interactions, as well as putative models with conserved residues on the interface area, which could be useful for future site-directed mutagenesis studies.

As a result of exposure to stress conditions, mutations, or defects during synthesis, cellular proteins are prone to misfold. To cope with such partially denatured proteins, cells mount a regulated transcriptional response involving the Hsf1 transcription factor, which drives the synthesis of molecular chaperones and other stress-relieving proteins. Here, we show that the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe orthologues of human BAG-1, Bag101, and Bag102, are Hsp70 co-chaperones that associate with 26S proteasomes. Only a subgroup of Hsp70-type chaperones, including Ssa1, Ssa2, and Sks2, binds Bag101 and Bag102 and key residues in the Hsp70 ATPase domains, required for interaction with Bag101 and Bag102, were identified. In humans, BAG-1 overexpression is typically observed in cancers. Overexpression of bag101 and bag102 in fission yeast leads to a strong growth defect caused by triggering Hsp70 to release and activate the Hsf1 transcription factor. Accordingly, the bag101-linked growth defect is alleviated in strains containing a reduced amount of Hsf1 but aggravated in hsp70 deletion strains. In conclusion, we propose that the fission yeast UBL/BAG proteins release Hsf1 from Hsp70, leading to constitutive Hsf1 activation and growth defects.

Human heat shock protein Hsp70 was experimentally inserted into polyelectrolyte microcapsules. Encapsulated recombinant Hsp70 was studied in terms of its effects on neutrophil apoptosis, the production of reactive oxygen species, and the secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha by promonocytic THP-1 cells. It was found that encapsulated Hsp70 effectively inhibits neutrophil apoptosis, unlike free exogenous protein used in solution. In THP-1 cells, encapsulated and free Hsp70 reduced LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha production with a similar efficiency. Encapsulated Hsp70 reduces LPS-induced reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils in the course of its release from the microcapsules but not as much as free Hsp70. Thus, the polyelectrolyte microcapsules can be used as containers for the effective delivery of Hsp70 to neutrophils and monocytes to significantly improve the functioning of the innate immune system.

Reactive oxygen species damage various cell components including DNA, proteins, and lipids, and these impairments could be a reason for severe human diseases including atherosclerosis. Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), an important metabolic transcription factor, upregulates antioxidant and proapoptotic genes during oxidative stress. Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) forms high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles that are responsible for cholesterol transfer from peripheral tissues to liver for removal in bile in vertebrates. The main sources for plasma ApoA-I in mammals are liver and jejunum. Hepatic apoA-I transcription depends on a multitude of metabolic transcription factors. We demonstrate that ApoA-I synthesis and secretion are decreased during H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in human hepatoma cell line HepG2. Here, we first show that FOXO1 binds to site B of apoA-I hepatic enhancer and downregulates apoA-I gene activity in HepG2 cells. Moreover, FOXO1 and LXRα transcription factors participate in H₂O₂-triggered downregulation of apoA-I gene together with Src, JNK, p38, and AMPK kinase cascades. Mutations of sites B or C as well as the administration of siRNAs against FOXO1 or LXRα to HepG2 cells abolished the hydrogen peroxide-mediated suppression of apoA-I gene.

This study aimed to investigate the genes and pathways that respond to heat stress in Holstein bull calves exposed to severe ranges of temperature and humidity. A total of ten animals from 4 to 6 months of age were subjected to heat stress at 37 °C and 90 % humidity for 12 h. Skin and rectal temperatures were measured before and after heat stress; while no correlation was found between them before heat stress, a moderate correlation was detected after heat stress, confirming rectal temperature to be a better barometer for monitoring heat stress. RNAseq analysis identified 8567 genes to be differentially regulated, out of which 465 genes were significantly upregulated (≥2-fold, P < 0.05) and 49 genes were significantly downregulated (≤2-fold, P < 0.05) in response to heat stress. Significant terms and pathways enriched in response to heat stress included chaperones, cochaperones, cellular response to heat stress, phosphorylation, kinase activation, immune response, apoptosis, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Pi3K/AKT activation, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, interferon signaling, pathways in cancer, estrogen signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. The differentially expressed genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR analysis, which confirmed the tendency of the expression. The genes and pathways identified in this analysis extend our understanding of transcriptional response to heat stress and their likely functioning in adapting the animal to hyperthermic stress. The identified genes could be used as candidate genes for association studies to select and breed animals with improved heat tolerance.

Most human neurodegenerative diseases are sporadic and appear later in life. Aging and neurodegeneration are closely associated, and recent investigations reveal that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is involved in the progression of these features. Immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein (BiP) is an ER chaperone that is central to ER functions. We produced knock-in mice expressing a mutant BiP that lacked the retrieval sequence to elucidate the effect of a functional defect in an ER chaperone in multicellular organisms. The homozygous mutant BiP mice died within several hours after birth because of respiratory failure with an impaired biosynthesis of pulmonary surfactant by alveolar type II cells. The heterozygous mutant BiP mice grew up to be apparently normal adults, although some of them revealed motor disabilities as they aged. Here, we report that the synthesis of a mitochondrial protein, pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1), is enhanced in the brains of homozygous mutant BiP mice. We performed a two-dimensional gel analysis followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. PYCR1 was identified as one of the enhanced proteins. We also found that sublethal ER stress caused by tunicamycin treatment induced the synthesis of PYCR1 in murine fibroblasts. PYCR1 has been shown to be related to the aging process. Mutations in the PYCR1 gene cause cutis laxa with progeroid features and mental retardation. These findings suggest a pathophysiological interaction between ER stress and a mitochondrial function in aging.

Recent studies have shown 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5-HMF) has favorable biological effects, and its neuroprotection in a variety of neurological diseases has been noted. Our previous study showed that treatment of 5-HMF led to protection against permanent global cerebral ischemia. However, the underlying mechanisms in cerebral ischemic injury are not fully understood. This study was conducted to investigate the neuroprotective effect of 5-HMF and elucidate the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway mechanism in the striatum after transient global cerebral ischemia. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 20 min and sacrificed 24 h after reperfusion. 5-HMF (12 mg/kg) or an equal volume of vehicle was intraperitoneally injected 30 min before ischemia and 5 min after the onset of reperfusion. At 24 h after reperfusion, neurological function was evaluated by neurological disability status scale, locomotor activity test and inclined beam walking test. Histological injury of the striatum was observed by cresyl violet staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dNTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Oxidative stress was evaluated by the carbonyl groups introduced into proteins, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based measurement was used to detect Nrf2 DNA binding activity. Nrf2 and its downstream ARE pathway protein expression such as heme oxygenase-1, NAD (P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit and glutamate-cysteine ligase modulatory subunit were detected by western blot. Our results showed that 5-HMF treatment significantly ameliorated neurological deficits, reduced brain water content, attenuated striatum neuronal damage, decreased the carbonyl groups and MDA levels, and activated Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. Taken together, these results demonstrated that 5-HMF exerted significant antioxidant and neuroprotective effects following transient cerebral ischemia, possibly through the activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease. The life cycle of this protozoan parasite is digenetic because it alternates its different developmental forms through two hosts, a vector insect and a vertebrate host. As a result, the parasites are exposed to sudden and drastic environmental changes causing cellular stress. The stress response to some types of stress has been studied in T. cruzi, mainly at the molecular level; however, data about ultrastructure and physiological state of the cells in stress conditions are scarce or null. In this work, we analyzed the morphological, ultrastructural, and physiological changes produced on T. cruzi epimastigotes when they were exposed to acid, nutritional, heat, and oxidative stress. Clear morphological changes were observed, but the physiological conditions varied depending on the type of stress. The maintenance of the physiological state was severely affected by heat shock, acidic, nutritional, and oxidative stress. According to the surprising observed growth recovery after damage by stress alterations, different adaptations from the parasite to these harsh conditions were suggested. Particular cellular death pathways are discussed.

Oxidative stress represents a major cause of cellular damage and death in the process of osteoporosis. Antimycin A (AMA) has been shown to stimulate mitochondrial superoxide anions and reactive oxygen species (ROS). α-Lipoic acid (α-LA) is a naturally occurring essential coenzyme in mitochondrial multienzyme complexes and acts as a key player in mitochondrial energy production. However, whether α-LA affects the cytotoxicity of AMA in osteoblastic cells is unknown. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of α-LA against AMA-induced cytotoxicity using the MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cell line. Our results indicated that α-LA treatment attenuated AMA-induced cytotoxicity and LDH release in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, a significant recovery effect of α-LA on mineralization inhibited by AMA was found. Our results also demonstrated that treatment with 50 μM AMA leads to a reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the complex IV dysfunction, which was inhibited by pretreatment with α-LA in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, treatment with α-LA significantly reduced the generation of ROS and mitochondrial superoxide production induced by AMA. In addition, our result suggests that PI3K/Akt and CREB pathways are related to the protective effect of α-LA. Importantly, Hoechst 33258 staining results indicated that pretreatment with α-LA prevented AMA-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, we found that α-LA prevents MC3T3-E1 cells from apoptosis through attenuating cytochrome C release and reducing the level of cleaved caspase-3.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones subdivided into several families based on their molecular weight. Due to their cytoprotective roles, these proteins may help protect cancer cells against chemotherapy-induced cell death. Investigation into the biologic activity of HSPs in a variety of cancers including primary bone tumors, such as osteosarcoma (OSA), is of great interest. Both human and canine OSA tumor samples have aberrant production of HSP70. This study assessed the response of canine OSA cells to inhibition of HSP70 and GRP78 by the ATP-mimetic VER-155008 and whether this treatment strategy could sensitize cells to doxorubicin chemotherapy. Single-agent VER-155008 treatment decreased cellular viability and clonogenic survival and increased apoptosis in canine OSA cell lines. However, combination schedules with doxorubicin after pretreatment with VER-155008 did not improve inhibition of cellular viability, apoptosis, or clonogenic survival. Treatment with VER-155008 prior to chemotherapy resulted in an upregulation of target proteins HSP70 and GRP78 in addition to the co-chaperone proteins Herp, C/EBP homologous transcription protein (CHOP), and BAG-1. The increased GRP78 was more cytoplasmic in location compared to untreated cells. Single-agent treatment also revealed a dose-dependent reduction in activated and total Akt. Based on these results, targeting GRP78 and HSP70 may have biologic activity in canine osteosarcoma. Further studies are required to determine if and how this strategy may impact the response of osteosarcoma cells to chemotherapy.