Examination of heat shock protein mRNA accumulation in early Xenopus laevis embryos

Elevation of the incubation temperature of Xenopus laevis neurulae from 22 to 33-35 degrees C induced the accumulation of heat shock protein (hsp) 70 mRNA (2.7 kilobases (kb)) and a putative hsp 87 mRNA (3.2 kb). While constitutive levels of both hsp mRNAs were detectable in unfertilized eggs and cleavage-stage embryos, heat-induced accumulation was not observed until after the mid-blastula stage. Exposure of Xenopus laevis embryos to other stressors, such as sodium arsenite or ethanol, also induced a developmental stage-dependent accumulation of hsp 70 mRNA. To characterize the effect of temperature on hsp 70 mRNA induction, neurulae were exposed to a range of temperatures (27-37 degrees C) for 1 h. Heat-induced hsp 70 mRNA accumulation was first detectable at 27 degrees C, with relatively greater levels at 30-35 degrees C and lower levels at 37 degrees C. A more complex effect of temperature on hsp 70 mRNA accumulation was observed in a series of time course experiments. While continuous exposure of neurulae to heat shock (27-35 degrees C) induced a transient accumulation of hsp 70 mRNA, the temporal pattern of hsp 70 mRNA accumulation was temperature dependent. Exposure of embryos to 33-35 degrees C induced maximum relative levels of hsp 70 mRNA within 1-1.5 h, while at 30 and 27 degrees C peak hsp 70 mRNA accumulation occurred at 3 and 12 h, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Intracellular localization of the heat shock protein, HSP110, in Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells

Heat shock protein 110 (HSP110) is a large molecular mass chaperone that is part of the HSP70/DnaK superfamily. In the present study, we examined the accumulation of HSP110 in Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells. Immunoblot analysis, using a homologous antibody, detected the presence of HSP110 in A6 cells maintained at 22 degrees C. The relative levels of HSP110 accumulation increased after heat shock or sodium arsenite treatment. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that constitutively expressed HSP110 was localized in the cytoplasm in a diffuse granular pattern with enrichment in the nucleus. In A6 cells heat shocked at 33 degrees C or 35 degrees C for 2 to 4 h, HSP110 accumulation was enhanced and detected primarily in the cytoplasm as thread- or spindle-like structures. In contrast, HSP30 was not detected constitutively and heat shock treatment of A6 cells induced a relatively uniform punctate pattern primarily in the cytoplasm. Also, treatment of A6 cells at 35 degrees C for 6 h resulted in the presence of HSP110 and HSP30 enriched in the nucleus of most cells. Finally, A6 cells treated with 25 microM sodium arsenite produced very dense HSP110 structures primarily in the cytoplasm while HSP30 was enriched in the cytoplasm in a granular pattern.     

Examination of cadmium-induced expression of the small heat shock protein gene, hsp30, in Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells

Cadmium is a highly toxic environmental pollutant that has been classified as a human carcinogen. Toxicological responses to cadmium exposure include respiratory diseases, neurological disorders and kidney damage. In the present study, we have characterized the effect of cadmium on the accumulation of the small heat shock protein (HSP), HSP30, in Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells. Incubation of A6 cells with cadmium chloride induced the accumulation of HSP30 protein and hsp30 mRNA. While HSP70 protein and hsp70 mRNA accumulation were also induced, the relative levels of actin remained relatively unaffected. Elevated levels of HSP30 were detected in cells undergoing prolonged exposure of cells to cadmium chloride or in cells recovering from cadmium chloride treatment. Immunocytochemical analysis of cadmium chloride-treated A6 cells revealed HSP30 accumulation primarily in the cytoplasm in a punctate pattern supplemented with larger HSP30 staining structures. Also, HSP30 co-localized with the F-actin cytoskeleton at higher cadmium chloride concentrations. The combination of mild heat shock temperatures plus cadmium chloride concentrations employed in this study resulted in a synergistic accumulation of HSP30 protein and hsp30 mRNA. Finally, in contrast to heat shock, prior exposure of Xenopus A6 cells to cadmium chloride treatment, sufficient to induce the accumulation of HSPs, did not protect the cells against a subsequent thermal challenge.     

Intracellular localization of Xenopus small heat shock protein, hsp30, in A6 kidney epithelial cells

Small heat shock proteins (shsps) are molecular chaperones that are inducible by environmental stress. In this study, immunocytochemical analysis and laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed that the shsp family, hsp30, was localized primarily in the cytoplasm of Xenopus A6 kidney epithelial cells after heat shock or sodium arsenite treatment. Heat shock-induced hsp30 was enriched in the perinuclear region with some immunostaining in the nucleus but not in the nucleolus. In sodium arsenite-treated cells hsp30 was enriched towards the cytoplasmic periphery as well as showing some immunostaining in the nucleus. At higher heat shock temperatures (35 degrees C) or after 10 microM sodium arsenite treatment, the actin cytoskeleton displayed some disorganization that co-localized with areas of hsp30 enrichment. Treatment of A6 cells with 50 microM sodium arsenite induced a collapse of the cytoskeleton around the nucleus. These results coupled with previous studies suggest that stress-inducible hsp30 acts as a molecular chaperone primarily in the cytoplasm and may interact with cytoskeletal proteins.     

Sodium arsenite and cadmium chloride induction of proteasomal inhibition and HSP accumulation in Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells

Sodium arsenite (NA) and cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) are relatively abundant environmental toxicants that have multiple toxic effects including carcinogenesis, dysfunction of gene regulation and DNA and protein damage. In the present study, treatment of Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells with concentrations of NA (20-30 μM) or CdCl(2) (100-200 μM) that induced HSP30 and HSP70 accumulation also produced an increase in the relative levels of ubiquitinated protein. Actin protein levels were unchanged in these experiments. In time course experiments, the levels of ubiquitinated protein and HSPs increased over a 24h exposure to NA or CdCl(2). Furthermore, treatment of cells with NA or CdCl(2) reduced the relative levels of proteasome chymotrypsin (CT)-like activity compared to control. Interestingly, pretreatment of cells with the HSP accumulation inhibitor, KNK437, prior to NA or CdCl(2) exposure decreased the relative levels of ubiquitinated protein as well as HSP30 and HSP70. A similar finding was made with ubiquitinated protein induced by proteasomal inhibitors, MG132 and celastrol, known to induce HSP accumulation in A6 cells. However, the NA- or CdCl(2)-induced decrease in proteasome CT-like activity was not altered by KNK437 pretreatment. This study has shown for the first time in poikilothermic vertebrates that NA and CdCl(2) can inhibit proteasomal activity and that there is a possible association between HSP accumulation and the mechanism of protein ubiquitination.     

Heat shock gene expression in Xenopus laevis A6 cells in response to heat shock and sodium arsenite treatments

Continuous exposure of a Xenopus laevis kidney epithelial cell line, A6, to either heat shock (33 degrees C) or sodium arsenite (50 microM) resulted in transient but markedly different temporal patterns of heat-shock protein (HSP) synthesis and HSP 70 and 30 mRNA accumulation. Heat-shock-induced synthesis of HSPs was detectable within 1 h and reached maximum levels by 2-3 h. While sodium arsenite induced the synthesis of some HSPs within 1 h, maximal HSP synthesis did not occur until 12 h. The pattern of HSP 70 and 30 mRNA accumulation was similar to the response observed at the protein level. During recovery from heat shock, a coordinate decline in HSPs and HSP 70 and 30 mRNA was observed. During recovery from sodium arsenite, a similar phenomenon occurred during the initial stages. However, after 6 h of recovery, HSP 70 mRNA levels persisted in contrast to the declining HSP 30 mRNA levels. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of 5 HSPs in the HSP 70 family, of which two were constitutive, and 16 different stress-inducible proteins in the HSP 30 family. In conclusion, heat shock and sodium arsenite induce a similar set of HSPs but maximum synthesis of the HSP is temporally separated by 12-24 h.     

Hydrogen peroxide or heat shock induces resistance to hydrogen peroxide in Chinese hamster fibroblasts

Survival after H2O2 exposure or heat shock of asynchronous Chinese hamster ovary cells (HA-1) was assayed following pretreatment with mildly toxic doses of either H2O2 or hyperthermia. H2O2 cytotoxicity at 37 degrees C, expressed as a function of mM H2O2 was found to be dependent on cell density at the time of treatment. The density dependence reflected the ability of cells to reduce the effectiveness of H2O2 as a cytotoxic agent. When the survival data were plotted as a function of mumoles H2O2/cell at the beginning of the treatment, survival was independent of cell density. Cells pretreated with 0.1 mM (3-5 mumoles/cell X 10(-7)) H2O2 for 1 hr at 37 degrees C (30-50% survival) became resistant to a subsequent H2O2 treatment 16-36 hr after pretreatment [dose modifying factor (DMF) at 1% isosurvival = 4-6]. Their resistance to 43 degrees C heating, however, was only slightly increased over controls 16-36 hr following pretreatment (DMF at 1% isosurvival = 1.2). During this same interval, the synthesis of protein migrating in the 70 kD region of a one-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel was enhanced twofold in the H2O2-pretreated cells. When the cells were heated for 15 min at 45 degrees C (40-60% survival), the survivors became extremely resistant to 43 degrees C heating and somewhat resistant to H2O2 (DMF at 1% isosurvival = 2). The heat-induced resistance to heat developed much more rapidly (reached a maximum between 6 and 13 hr) following pretreatment than the heat-induced resistance to H2O2 (16-36 hr). The enhanced synthesis of 70 kD protein after heat shock was greater in magnitude and occurred more rapidly following preheating than following H2O2 pretreatment. The cells that became resistant to H2O2 by either pretreatment (H2O2 or heat shock) also increased their ability to reduce the H2O2 cytotoxicity from the treatment medium beyond that of the untreated HA-1 cells. This may be one of the mechanisms involved in the increased resistance and a common adaptive mechanism induced by both stresses. These data indicate that mammalian cells develop resistance to H2O2 following mild pretreatment with H2O2 or heat shock. The cross-resistance induced by H2O2 and heat shock reinforce the hypothesis that some overlap in mechanisms exist between the cellular responses to these two stresses. However, the failure of H2O2 pretreatment to induce much resistance to heat indicates that there are also differences in the actions of the two agents.     

Heat and sodium arsenite act synergistically on the induction of heat shock gene expression in Xenopus laevis A6 cells

Heat shock protein (HSP) synthesis was studied in the Xenopus epithelial cell line A6 in response to heat and sodium arsenite, either singly or together. Temperatures of 33-35 degrees C consistently brought about the synthesis of HSPs at 87, 73, 70, 54, 31, and 30 kilodaltons (kDa), whereas sodium arsenite at 25-100 microM induced the synthesis of HSPs at 73 and 70 kDa. In cultures exposed to 10 microM sodium arsenite at 30 degrees C, HSP synthesis in the 68- to 73-kDa and 29- to 31-kDa regions was much greater than the HSP synthesis in response to each treatment individually. RNA dot blot analysis using homologous genomic subclones revealed that heat shock induced the accumulation of HSP 70 and 30 mRNAs. The sizes of the HSP 70 and 30 mRNAs determined by Northern hybridization were 2.7 and 1.5 kilobases, respectively. Sodium arsenite (10-100 microM) also induced the accumulation of both HSP 70 and 30 mRNAs. Finally, a mild heat shock (30 degrees C) plus a low concentration of sodium arsenite (10 microM) acted synergistically on HSP 70 and 30 mRNA accumulation in A6 cells. Thus sodium arsenite and heat act synergistically at the level of both HSP synthesis and HSP mRNA accumulation.     

Examination of KNK437- and quercetin-mediated inhibition of heat shock-induced heat shock protein gene expression in Xenopus laevis cultured cells

We examined the effect of quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavon) and KNK437 (N-formyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-benzylidene-gamma-butyrolactam), a benzylidene lactam compound, on heat-induced heat shock protein (hsp) gene expression in Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells. In previous studies, both quercetin and KNK437 inhibited heat shock factor activity resulting in a repression of hsp mRNA and protein accumulation in human cultured cells. In this first study of the effect of these hsp gene expression inhibitors in a non-mammalian cell line, we report that both quercetin and KNK437 reduced the heat shock-induced accumulation of hsp30, hsp47 and hsp70 mRNA in X. laevis cultured cells. However, these inhibitors had no effect on the relative level of a non-heat shock protein mRNA, ef1alpha, in either control or heat shocked cells. Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses revealed that quercetin partially inhibited HSP30 protein accumulation. In contrast, HSP30 protein was not detectable in KNK437-treated cells. Finally, treatment of A6 cells with KNK437 inhibited the heat shock-induced acquisition of thermotolerance, as determined by preservation of actin filaments and cellular morphology using immunocytochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy.     

Hydrogen peroxide induces microvilli on human retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture.

We have found that hydrogen peroxide (10^-4 - 10^-2 M) rapidly induces microvilli on separate cells and confluent sheets of human retinal pigment epithelium in culture. t-butyl hydroperoxide and sodium arsenite do not induce microvilli. A role for hydrogen peroxide as an intercellular messenger has previously been proposed in the inflammatory response, in which hydrogen peroxide from phagocytes may signal to vascular endothelial cells. Our observations thus provide a second example of the induction of what may be a physiological response by this potentially toxic agent. In the retina, hydrogen peroxide released from illuminated photoreceptors may elongate the microvilli which extend into the spaces between them. Increased numbers of microvilli and their protrusion further into the photoreceptor layer may enhance various interactions between the two cell types, including the antioxidant functions of the epithelium.     

Effect of diadenosine tetraphosphate microinjection on heat shock protein synthesis in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Bisnucleosides polyphosphates are thought to be chemical messengers signalling to the cell the onset of various stresses. Diadenosine tri- and tetraphosphates (respectively, Ap3A and Ap4A) accumulate in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells under heat shock conditions, suggesting they could trigger the synthesis of heat shock proteins (hsps). In this study, Ap4A, Ap3A and, as a control, Ap4 (adenosine tetraphosphate) were injected into Xenopus oocytes. Whereas none of these compounds is able to trigger the synthesis of hsps in the absence of hyperthermic treatment, nuclear microinjection of Ap4A after a mild heat shock specifically enhances the synthesis of the 70-kd hsp, which is involved in the regulation and possibly the termination of the heat shock response. The microinjection of Ap4A prior to the hyperthermic treatment results in a strong inhibition of hsps synthesis (with the exception of the 70-kd hsp) suggesting that Ap4A is involved in the regulation and/or termination of the heat shock response. Ap3A and Ap4 do not induce any detectable modification of hsps expression.     

Induction of glucose-regulated proteins in Xenopus laevis A6 cells

We have characterized the induction of glucose-regulated proteins (GRPs) in Xenopus laevis A6 cells, a kidney epithelial cell line. Exposure of A6 cells to medium in which 2-deoxyglucose replaced galactose resulted in enhanced synthesis of two proteins at 78 and 98 kd. The 78 kd protein was determined by two-dimensional PAGE to consist of two isoelectric variants with pls of 5.3 and 5.2 whereas the 98 kd protein resolved into a single spot with a pl of 5.1. The 78 kd protein cross-reacted with antiserum against chicken GRP78 (glucose-regulated protein), suggesting that the Xenopus protein shares homology with a previously characterized GRP. This was supported by the finding that a rat GRP78 probe hybridized with a 2-deoxyglucose-inducible mRNA. Synthesis of the two proteins was also induced by tunicamycin, 2-deoxygalactose, and dithiothreitol. However, the GRPs were not induced by glucosamine or calcium ionophore A23187 at concentrations and exposure periods that have previously been shown to elicit a GRP response in mammalian and avian cells. Enhanced synthesis of the two GRPs by 2-deoxyglucose was transient, reaching maximal levels by 12-24 h and decreasing to near control levels by 48 h. Removal of the stress at the point of peak synthesis resulted in decreased synthesis of both proteins within 6 h and a return to control levels within 24 h of recovery. These data suggest that Xenopus cells have a GRP response that is similar, but not identical, to that found in mammalian cells.     

Escherichia coli LPS induces heat shock protein 25 in intestinal epithelial cells through MAP kinase activation

Protection of colonic epithelial integrity and function is critical, because compromises in mucosal functions can lead to adverse and potentially life-threatening effects. The gut flora may contribute to this protection, in part, through the sustained induction of cytoprotective heat shock proteins (HSPs) in surface colonocytes. In this study, we investigated whether Escherichia coli LPS mediates bacteria-induced HSP by using cultured young adult mouse colon (YAMC) cells, an in vitro model of the colonic epithelium. E. coli LPS led to an epithelial cell-type specific induction of HSP25 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, an effect that did not involve changes in HSP72. YAMC cells expressed the toll-like receptors (TLR)2 and TLR4 but not the costimulatory CD14 molecule. Whereas LPS stimulated both the p38 and ERK1/2 but not the stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase, signaling pathways in the YAMC cells, all three were stimulated in RAW macrophage cells (in which no LPS-induced HSP25 expression was observed). The p38 inhibitor SB-203580 and the MAP kinase kinase-1 inhibitor PD-98059 inhibited HSP25 induction by LPS. LPS treatment also conferred protection against actin depolymerization induced by the oxidant monochloramine. The HSP25 dependence of the LPS protective effect was outlined in inhibitor studies and through adenovirus-mediated overexpression of HSP25. In conclusion, LPS may be an important mediator of enteric bacteria-induced expression of intestinal epithelial HSP25, an effect that may contribute to filamentous actin stabilization under physiological as well as pathophysiological conditions and thus protection of colonic epithelial integrity.     

Regulation of protein synthesis and accumulation during oogenesis in Xenopus laevis

The tissue and developmental distribution of the various myosin subunits has been examined in bovine cardiac muscle. Electrophoretic analysis shows that a myosin light chain found in fetal but not in adult ventricular myosin is very similar and possibly identical to the light chain found in fetal or adult atrial and adult Purkinje fiber myosins. This light chain comigrates on two-dimensional gels with the bovine skeletal muscle embryonic light chain. Thus, this protein appears to be expressed only at early developmental stages in some tissues (cardiac ventricles, skeletal muscle) but at all stages in others (cardiac atria). The heavy chains of these myosins have been examined by one- and two-dimensional polypeptide mapping. The ventricular and Purkinje fiber heavy chains are indistinguishable. They are, however, different from the heavy chain found in cultured skeletal muscle myotubes, in contrast to the situation concerning the embryonic/atrial light chain.     

Geranylgeranylaceton induces heat shock protein 72 in skeletal muscle cells

Effects of an antiulcer drug, geranylgeranylaceton (GGA), and/or heat-stress on 72 kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) expression and protein content in cultured skeletal muscle cells were studied. Mouse skeletal muscle cells (C(2)C(12)) were subjected to either 1) control (cultured at 37 degrees C without GGA), 2) GGA administration (10(-11) - 10(-8) M), 3) heat-stress at 41 degrees C for 60 min, or 4) GGA administration combined with heat-stress. Expression of HSP72 was up-regulated by GGA administration. Heat-stress further enhanced the GGA-related up-regulation of HSP72. Administration of GGA caused an increase of muscular protein content as a dose-dependent manner. Protein synthesis was also stimulated by heat-stress alone in myotubes. It was suggested that GGA stimulates the differentiation of myoblasts and protein synthesis. These observations may also suggest that the administration of GGA could be one of the useful tools to gain muscular mass not only in athletes, but also in patients during rehabilitation.