Distinguishing integral and receptor-bound heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) on the cell surface by Hsp70-specific antibodies

Cell Stress & Chaperones journal has become a major outlet for papers and review articles about anti-heat shock protein (HSP) antibodies. In the last decade, it became evident that apart from their intracellular localization, members of the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90; HSPC) and Hsp70 (HSPA) family are also found on the cell surface. In this review, we will focus on Hsp70 (HSPA1A), the major stress-inducible member of the human Hsp70 family. Depending on the cell type, the membrane association of Hsp70 comes in two forms. In tumor cells, Hsp70 appears to be integrated within the plasma membrane, whereas in non-malignantly transformed (herein termed normal) cells, Hsp70 is associated with cell surface receptors. This observation raises the question whether or not these two surface forms of Hsp70 in tumor and normal cells can be distinguished using Hsp70 specific antibodies. Presently a number of Hsp70 specific antibodies are commercially available. These antibodies were generated by immunizing mice either with recombinant or HeLa-derived human Hsp70 protein, parts of the Hsp70 protein, or with synthetic peptides. This review aims to characterize the binding of different anti-human Hsp70 antibodies and their capacity to distinguish between integrated and receptor-bound Hsp70 in tumor and normal cells.     

Expression patterns and organization of the hsp70 genes correlate with thermotolerance in two congener endemic amphipod species (Eulimnogammarus cyaneus and E. verrucosus) from Lake Baikal

We studied various aspects of heat‐shock response with special emphasis on the expression of heat‐shock protein 70 (hsp70) genes at various levels in two congener species of littoral endemic amphipods (Eulimnogammarus cyaneus and E. verrucosus) from Lake Baikal which show striking differences in their vertical distribution and thermal tolerance. Although both the species studied demonstrate high constitutive levels of Hsp70, the thermotolerant E. cyaneus exhibited a 5‐fold higher basal level of Hsp70 proteins under normal physiological conditions (7 °C) and significantly lower induction of Hsp70 after temperature elevation compared with the more thermosensitive E. verrucosus. We isolated the hsp70 genes from both species and analysed their sequences. Two isoforms of the cytosolic Hsp70/Hsc70 proteins were detected in both species under normal physiological conditions and encoded by two distinct hsp/hsc70 family members. While both Hsp70 isoforms were synthesized without heat shock, only one of them was induced by temperature elevation. The observed differences in the Hsp70 expression patterns, including the dynamics of Hsp70 synthesis and threshold of induction, suggest that the increased thermotolerance in E. cyaneus (compared with E. verrucosus) is associated with a complex structural and functional rearrangement of the hsp70 gene family and favoured the involvement of Hsp70 in adaptation to fluctuating thermal conditions. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the thermal adaptation of Baikal amphipods and represents the first report describing the structure and function of the hsp70 genes of endemic Baikal species dwelling in thermally contrasting habitats.     

Genomewide identification and analysis of heat‐shock proteins 70/110 to reveal their potential functions in Chinese soft‐shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis

Heat‐shock proteins 70/110 (Hsp70/110) are vital molecular chaperones and stress proteins whose expression and production are generally induced by extreme temperatures or external stresses. The Hsp70/110 family is largely conserved in diverse animals. Although many reports have studied and elaborated on the characteristics of Hsp70/110 in various species, the systematic identification and analysis of Hsp70/110 are still poor in turtles. In this study, a genomewide search was performed, and 18 candidate PsHSP70/110 family genes were identified in Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis. These PsHSP70/110 proteins contained the conserved “heat shock protein 70” domain. Phylogenetic analysis of PsHSP70/110 and their homologs revealed evolutionary conservation of Hsp70/110 across different species. Tissue‐specific expression analysis showed that these PsHSP70/110 genes were differentially expressed in different tissues of P. sinensis. Furthermore, to examine the putative biological functions of PsHSP70/110, the dynamic expression of PsHSP70/110 genes was analyzed in the testis of P. sinensis during seasonal spermatogenesis following germ cell apoptosis. Notably, genes such as PsHSPA1B‐L, PsHSPA2, and PsHSPA8 were significantly upregulated in P. sinensis testes along with a seasonal decrease in apoptosis. Protein interaction prediction revealed that PsHSPA1B‐L, PsHSPA2, and PsHSPA8 may interact with each other and participate in the MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis showed that PsHSPA1B‐L, PsHSPA2, and PsHSPA8 protein expression was associated with seasonal temperature variation. The expression profiling and interaction relationships of the PsHSPA1B‐L, PsHSPA2, and PsHSPA8 proteins implied their potential roles in inhibiting the apoptosis of germ cells in P. sinensis. These results provide insights into PsHSP70/110 functions and will serve as a rich resource for further investigation of HSP70/110 family genes in P. sinensis and other turtles.     

Heat shock protein responses to aging and proteotoxicity in the olfactory bulb

The olfactory bulb is one of the most vulnerable brain regions in age‐related proteinopathies. Proteinopathic stress is mitigated by the heat shock protein (Hsp) family of chaperones. Here, we describe age‐related decreases in Hsc70 in the olfactory bulb of the female rat and higher levels of Hsp70 and Hsp25 in middle and old age than at 2–4 months. To model proteotoxic and oxidative stress in the olfactory bulb, primary olfactory bulb cultures were treated with the proteasome inhibitors lactacystin and MG132 or the pro‐oxidant paraquat. Toxin‐induced increases were observed in Hsp70, Hsp25, and Hsp32. To determine the functional consequences of the increase in Hsp70, we attenuated Hsp70 activity with two mechanistically distinct inhibitors. The Hsp70 inhibitors greatly potentiated the toxicity of sublethal lactacystin or MG132 but not of paraquat. Although ubiquitinated protein levels were unchanged with aging in vivo or with sublethal MG132 in vitro, there was a large, synergistic increase in ubiquitinated proteins when proteasome and Hsp70 functions were simultaneously inhibited. Our study suggests that olfactory bulb cells rely heavily on Hsp70 chaperones to maintain homeostasis during mild proteotoxic, but not oxidative insults, and that Hsp70 prevents the accrual of ubiquitinated proteins in these cells.

     

An atlas of chaperone–protein interactions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: implications to protein folding pathways in the cell

Molecular chaperones are known to be involved in many cellular functions, however, a detailed and comprehensive overview of the interactions between chaperones and their cofactors and substrates is still absent. Systematic analysis of physical TAP‐tag based protein–protein interactions of all known 63 chaperones in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been carried out. These chaperones include seven small heat‐shock proteins, three members of the AAA+ family, eight members of the CCT/TRiC complex, six members of the prefoldin/GimC complex, 22 Hsp40s, 1 Hsp60, 14 Hsp70s, and 2 Hsp90s. Our analysis provides a clear distinction between chaperones that are functionally promiscuous and chaperones that are functionally specific. We found that a given protein can interact with up to 25 different chaperones during its lifetime in the cell. The number of interacting chaperones was found to increase with the average number of hydrophobic stretches of length between one and five in a given protein. Importantly, cellular hot spots of chaperone interactions are elucidated. Our data suggest the presence of endogenous multicomponent chaperone modules in the cell.     

Hsp70 genes are linked to the Xenopus major histocompatibility complex

Some of the inducible forms of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) gene family are encoded in the class III region of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of mammals. This study was undertaken to determine whether Hsp 70 genes are linked to the MHC of Xenopus, an amphibian last sharing a common ancestor with mammals 300–350 million years ago. Segregation analyses involving seven haplotypes demonstrated the linkage of two or three inducible Hsp70 genes to the frog MHC. Another Hsp70 gene is not closely linked to the MHC. We conclude that the physical association of MHC class I and class II genes with Hsp70 genes is ancient. Correspondence to: M. F. Flajnik.     

Effect of evolution of the C-terminal region on chaperone activity of Hsp70

Dynamic interdomain interactions within the Hsp70 protein is the basis for the allosteric and functional properties of Hsp70s. While Hsp70s are generally conserved in terms of structure, allosteric behavior, and some overlapping functions, Hsp70s also contain variable sequence regions which are related to distinct functions. In the Hsp70 sequence, the part with the greatest sequence variation is the C-terminal α-helical lid subdomain of substrate-binding domain (SBDα) together with the intrinsically disordered region. Dynamic interactions between the SBDα and β-sandwich substrate-binding subdomain (SBDβ) contribute to the chaperone functions of Hsp70s by tuning kinetics of substrate binding. To investigate how the C-terminal region of Hsp70 has evolved from prokaryotic to eukaryotic organisms, we tested whether this region can be exchanged among different Hsp70 members to support basic chaperone functions. We found that this region from eukaryotic Hsp70 members cannot substitute for the same region in Escherichia coli DnaK to facilitate normal chaperone activity of DnaK. In contrast, this region from E. coli DnaK and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hsp70 (Ssa1 and Ssa4) can partially support some roles of human stress inducible Hsp70 (hHsp70) and human cognate Hsp70 (hHsc70). Our results indicate that the C-terminal region from eukaryotic Hsp70 members cannot properly support SBDα–SBDβ interactions in DnaK, but this region from DnaK/Ssa1/Ssa4 can still form some SBDα–SBDβ interactions in hHsp70 or hHsc70, which suggests that the mode for SBDα–SBDβ interactions is different in prokaryotic and eukaryotic Hsp70 members. This study provides new insight in the divergency among different Hsp70 homologs and the evolution of Hsp70s.     

Chromosomal inversions promote genomic islands of concerted evolution of Hsp70 genes in the Drosophila subobscura species subgroup

Heat‐shock (HS) assays to understand the connection between standing inversion variation and evolutionary response to climate change in Drosophila subobscura found that “warm‐climate” inversion O₃₊₄ exhibits non‐HS levels of Hsp70 protein like those of “cold‐climate” O_ST after HS induction. This was unexpected, as overexpression of Hsp70 can incur multiple fitness costs. To understand the genetic basis of this finding, we have determined the genomic sequence organization of the Hsp70 family in four different inversions, including O_ST, O₃₊₄ , O₃₊₄₊₈ and O₃₊₄₊₁₆ , using as outgroups the remainder of the subobscura species subgroup, namely Drosophila madeirensis and Drosophila guanche. We found (i) in all the assayed lines, the Hsp70 family resides in cytological locus 94A and consists of only two genes, each with four HS elements (HSEs) and three GAGA sites on its promoter. Yet, in O_ST, the family is comparatively more compact; (ii) the two Hsp70 copies evolve in concert through gene conversion, except in D. guanche; (iii) within D. subobscura, the rate of concerted evolution is strongly structured by inversion, being higher in O_ST than in O₃₊₄ ; and (iv) in D. guanche, the two copies accumulated multiple differences, including a newly evolved “gap‐type” HSE2. The absence of concerted evolution in this species may be related to a long‐gone‐unnoticed observation that it lacks Hsp70 HS response, perhaps because it has evolved within a narrow thermal range in an oceanic island. Our results point to a previously unrealized link between inversions and concerted evolution, with potentially major implications for understanding genome evolution.     

Signature Sequences in Diverse Proteins Provide Evidence of a Close Evolutionary Relationship Between the Deinococcus-Thermus Group and Cyanobacteria

A number of proteins have been identified that contain prominent sequence signatures that are uniquely shared by the members of the Deinococcus-Thermus genera and the cyanobacterial species but which are not found in any of the other eubacterial or archaebacterial homologs. The proteins containing such sequence signatures include (1) the DnaJ/Hsp40 family of proteins, (2) DNA polymerase I, (3) the protein synthesis elongation factor EF-Tu, and (4) the elongation factor EF-Ts. A strong affinity of the Deinococcus-Thermus species to cyanobacteria is also seen in the phylogenetic trees based on Hsp70 and DnaJ sequences. These results provide strong evidence of a close and specific evolutionary relationship between species belonging to these two eubacterial divisions. Received: 10 September 1997 / Accepted: 15 December 1997     

The hsp110 and Grp1 70 stress proteins: newly recognized relatives of the Hsp70s

Both the Grp170 and Hsp110 families represent relatively conserved and distinct sets of stress proteins, within a more diverse category that also includes the Hsp70s. All of these families are found in a wide variety of organisms from yeasts to humans. Although Hsp110s or Grp170s are not Hsp70s any more than Hsp70s are Hsp110s or Grp170s, it is still reasonable to refer to this combination of related families as the Hsp70 superfamily based on arguments discussed above and since no obvious prokaryotic Hsp110 or Grp170 has yet been identified. These proteins are related to their counterparts in the Hsp70/Grp78 family of eukaryotic stress proteins but are characterized by significantly larger molecular weights. The members of the Grp170 family are characterized by C-terminal ER retention sequences and are ER localized in yeasts and mammals. As a Grp, Grp170 is recognized to be coregulated with other major Grps by a well-known set of stress conditions, sometimes referred to as the unfolded protein response (Kozutsumi et al 1988; Nakaki et al 1989). The Hsp110 family members are localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm and, with other major Hsps, are also coregulated by a specific set of stress conditions, most notably including hyperthermic exposures. Hsp110 is sometimes called Hsp105, although it would be preferable to have a uniform term. The large Hsp70-like proteins are structurally similar to the Hsp70s but differ from them in important ways. In both the Grp170 and Hspl10 families, there is a long loop structure that is interposed between the peptide-binding ,-domain and the alpha-helical lid. In the Hsp110 family and Grp170, there are differing degrees of expansion in the alpha-helical domain and the addition of a C-terminal loop. This gives the appearance of much larger lid domains for Hsp110 and Grp170 compared with Hsp70. Both Hsp110 and Grp170 families have relatively conserved short sequences in the alpha-helical domain in the lid, which are conserved motifs in numerous proteins (we termed these motifs Magic and TedWylee as discussed earlier). The structural differences detailed in this review result in functional differences between the large (Grp170 and Hspl10) members of the Hsp70 superfamily, the most distinctive being an increased ability of these proteins to bind (hold) denatured polypeptides compared with Hsc70, perhaps related to the enlarged C-terminal helical domain. However, there is also a major difference between these large stress proteins; Hsp110 does not bind ATP in vitro, whereas Grp170 binds ATP avidly. The role of the Grp170 and Hsp110 stress proteins in cellular physiology is not well understood. Overexpression of Hsp110 in cultured mammalian cells increases thermal tolerance. Grp170 binds to secreted proteins in the ER and may be cooperatively involved in folding these proteins appropriately. These roles are similar to those of the Hsp70 family members, and, therefore, the question arises as to the differential roles played by the larger members of the superfamily. We have discussed evidence that the large members of the superfamily cooperate with members of the Hsp70 family, and these chaperones probably interact with a large number of chaperones and cochaperones in their functional activities. The fundamental point is that Hsp110 is found in conjunction with Hsp70 in the cytoplasm (and nucleus) and Grp170 is found in conjunction with78 in tha ER in every eucaryotic cell examined from yeast to humans. This would strongly argue that Hsp110 Grp170 exhibit functions in eucaryotes not effectively performed by Hsp70s or Grp78, respectively. Of interest in this respect is the observation that all Hsp110s loss of function or deletion mutants listed in the Drosophila deletion project database are lethal. The important task for the future is to determine the roles these conserved molecular chaperones play in normal and physiologically stressed cells.     

Characterization of stress sensitivity and chaperone activity of Hsp105 in mammalian cells

Hsp105 is a major mammalian heat shock protein that belongs to the Hsp105/110 family, a diverged subgroup of the Hsp70 family. Hsp105 not only protects the thermal aggregation of proteins, but also regulates the Hsc70 chaperone system in vitro. Recently, it has been shown that Hsp105/110 family members act as nucleotide exchange factors for cytosolic Hsp70s. However, the biological functions of Hsp105/110 family proteins still remain to be clarified. Here, we examined the function of Hsp105 in mammalian cells, and showed that the sensitivity to various stresses was enhanced in the Hsp105-deficient cells compared with that in control cells. In addition, we found that deficiency of Hsp105 impaired the refolding of heat-denatured luciferase in mammalian cells. In contrast, overexpression of Hsp105α enhanced the ability to recover heat-inactivated luciferase in mammalian cells. Thus, Hsp105 may play an important role in the refolding of denatured proteins and protection against stress-induced cell death in mammalian cells.     

Variant‐specific and reciprocal Hsp40 functions in Hsp104‐mediated prion elimination

The amyloid‐based prions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are heritable aggregates of misfolded proteins, passed to daughter cells following fragmentation by molecular chaperones including the J‐protein Sis1, Hsp70 and Hsp104. Overexpression of Hsp104 efficiently cures cell populations of the prion [PSI⁺] by an alternative Sis1‐dependent mechanism that is currently the subject of significant debate. Here, we broadly investigate the role of J‐proteins in this process by determining the impact of amyloid polymorphisms (prion variants) on the ability of well‐studied Sis1 constructs to compensate for Sis1 and ask whether any other S. cerevisiae cytosolic J‐proteins are also required for this process. Our comprehensive screen, examining all 13 members of the yeast cytosolic/nuclear J‐protein complement, uncovered significant variant‐dependent genetic evidence for a role of Apj1 (antiprion DnaJ) in this process. For strong, but not weak [PSI⁺] variants, depletion of Apj1 inhibits Hsp104‐mediated curing. Overexpression of either Apj1 or Sis1 enhances curing, while overexpression of Ydj1 completely blocks it. We also demonstrated that Sis1 was the only J‐protein necessary for the propagation of at least two weak [PSI⁺] variants and no J‐protein alteration, or even combination of alterations, affected the curing of weak [PSI⁺] variants, suggesting the possibility of biochemically distinct, variant‐specific Hsp104‐mediated curing mechanisms.     

Role of the Cytosolic Heat Shock Protein 70 Ssa5 in the Ciliate Protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is a member of a family of conserved chaperone proteins whose function is well investigated in many model organisms. Here we focus on an Hsp70 called Ssa5 in the ciliate protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila, and reveal that its translation is heat inducible as for general Hsps. Moreover, the protein is abundantly expressed in the cytoplasm during sexual reproduction (conjugation) as well as in response to heat‐stress. Knocking out of SSA5 (ΔSSA5) does not affect the survival of the cell under heat‐stress, likely due to other Hsp70 paralogs compensating for the defect. During conjugation, ΔSSA5 leads to a fertilization defect in which the two pronuclei are in close proximity but never fuse. The unfertilized pronuclei differentiate, resulting in a heterokaryon with developed haploid germline and somatic nuclei. In addition, degeneration of the parental somatic nucleus is not affected. These results suggest a specific involvement of Ssa5 in pronuclear fusion and fertilization.     

Influence of cytoplasmic heat shock protein 70 on viral infection of Nicotiana benthamiana

The accumulation of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) generally occurs in plants infected with viruses. However, the effect of Hsp70 accumulation on plant viral infection and pathogenesis remains elusive. In this study, the expression of six Hsp70 genes was found to be induced by the four diverse RNA viruses, Tobacco mosaic virus, Potato virus X (PVX), Cucumber mosaic virus and Watermelon mosaic virus, in Nicotiana benthamiana. Heat treatment enhanced the accumulation and systemic infection of these viruses. Similar results were obtained for viral infection in plants heterologously expressing an Arabidopsis cytoplasmic Hsp70 through either a PVX vector or Agrobacterium infiltration. In contrast, viral infection was compromised in cytoplasmic NbHsp70c‐1 gene‐silenced plants. These data demonstrate that the cytoplasmic Hsp70s can enhance the infection of N. benthamiana by diverse viruses.