Transglutaminase catalyzes differential crosslinking of small heat shock proteins and amyloid-beta

Crosslinking of proteins by tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is enhanced in amyloid (Abeta) deposits characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and sporadic inclusion body myositis. Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) also occur in amyloid deposits. We here report the substrate characteristics for tTG of six sHsps. Hsp27, Hsp20 and HspB8 are both lysine- and glutamine-donors, alphaB-crystallin only is a lysine-donor, HspB2 a glutamine-donor, and HspB3 no substrate at all. Close interaction of proteins stimulates crosslinking efficiency as crosslinking between different sHsps only takes place within the same heteromeric complex. We also observed that alphaB-crystallin, Hsp27 and Hsp20 associate with Abeta in vitro, and can be readily crosslinked by tTG.     

Analysis of the interaction of small heat shock proteins with unfolding proteins

The ubiquitous small heat shock proteins (sHsps) are efficient molecular chaperones that interact with nonnative proteins, prevent their aggregation, and support subsequent refolding. No obvious substrate specificity has been detected so far. A striking feature of sHsps is that they form large complexes with nonnative proteins. Here, we used several well established model chaperone substrates, including citrate synthase, alpha-glucosidase, rhodanese, and insulin, and analyzed their interaction with murine Hsp25 and yeast Hsp26 upon thermal unfolding. The two sHsps differ in their modes of activation. In contrast to Hsp25, Hsp26 undergoes a temperature-dependent dissociation that is required for efficient substrate binding. Our analysis shows that Hsp25 and Hsp26 reacted in a similar manner with the nonnative proteins. For all substrates investigated, complexes of defined size and shape were formed. Interestingly, several different nonnative proteins could be incorporated into defined sHsp-substrate complexes. The first substrate protein bound seems to determine the complex morphology. Thus, despite the differences in quaternary structure and mode of activation, the formation of large uniform sHsp-substrate complexes seems to be a general feature of sHsps, and this unique chaperone mechanism is conserved from yeast to mammals.     

Expression and interaction of small heat shock proteins (sHsps) in rice in response to heat stress

The inherent immobility of rice (Oryza sativa L.) limited their abilities to avoid heat stress and required them to contend with heat stress through innate defense abilities in which heat shock proteins played important roles. In this study, Hsp26.7, Hsp23.2, Hsp17.9A, Hsp17.4 and Hsp16.9A were up-regulated in Nipponbare during seedling and anthesis stages in response to heat stress. Subsequently, the expressing levels of these five sHsps in the heat-tolerant rice cultivar, Co39, were all significantly higher than that in the heat-susceptible rice cultivar, Azucena. This indicated that the expressive level of these five sHsps was positively related to the ability of rice plants to avoid heat stress. Thus, the expression level of these five sHsps can be regarded as bio-markers for screening rice cultivars with different abilities to avoid heat stress. Hsp18.1, Hsp17.9A, Hsp17.7 and Hsp16.9A, in the three rice cultivars under heat stress were found to be involved in one protein complex by Native-PAGE, and the interactions of Hsp18.1 and Hsp 17.7, Hsp18.1 and Hsp 17.9A, and Hsp17.7 and Hsp16.9A were further validated by yeast 2-hybridization. Pull down assay also confirmed the interaction between Hsp17.7 and Hsp16.9A in rice under heat stress. In conclusion, the up-regulation of the 5 sHsps is a key step for rice to tolerate heat stress, after that some sHsps assembled into a large hetero-oligomeric complex. In addition, through protein–protein interaction, Hsp101 regulated thiamine biosynthesis, and Hsp82 homology affected nitrogen metabolism, while Hsp81-1 were involved in the maintenance of sugar or starch synthesis in rice plants under heat stress. These results provide new insight into the regulatory mechanism of sHsps in rice.     

Methylglyoxal and small heat shock proteins

Methylglyoxal is a highly reactive dicarbonyl compound formed during glucose metabolism and able to modify phospholipids, nucleic acids, and proteins belonging to the so-called dicarbonyl proteome. Small heat shock proteins participating in protection of the cell against different unfavorable conditions can be modified by methylglyoxal. The probability of methylglyoxal modification is increased in the case of distortion of glucose metabolism (diabetes), in the case of utilization of glycolysis as the main source of energy (malignancy), and/or at low rate of modified protein turnover. We have analyzed data on modification of small heat shock protein HspB1 in different tumors and under distortion of carbohydrate metabolism. Data on the effect of methylglyoxal modification on stability, chaperone-like activity, and antiapoptotic activity of HspB1 were analyzed. We discuss data on methylglyoxal modifications of lens α-crystallins. The mutual dependence and mutual effects of methylglyoxal modification and other posttranslational modifications of lens crystallins are analyzed. We conclude that although there is no doubt that the small heat shock proteins undergo methylglyoxal modification, the physiological significance of this process remains enigmatic, and new experimental approaches should be developed for understanding how this type of modification affects functioning of small heat shock proteins in the cell.     

Structure and properties of small heat shock proteins (sHsp) and their interaction with cytoskeleton proteins

The modern classification of small heat shock proteins (sHsp) is presented and peculiarities of their primary structure and the mechanism of formation of oligomeric complexes are described. Data on phosphorylation of sHsp by different protein kinases are presented and the effect of phosphorylation on oligomeric state and chaperone activity of sHsp is discussed. Intracellular location of sHsp under normal and stress conditions is described and it is emphasized that under certain condition sHsp interact with different elements of cytoskeleton. The literature concerning the effect of sHsp on polymerization of actin in vitro is analyzed. An attempt is made to compare effects of sHsp on polymerization of actin in vitro with the results obtained on living cells under normal conditions and after heat shock or hormone action. The literature concerning possible effects of sHsp on cell motility is also analyzed.     

DAZL is essential for stress granule formation implicated in germ cell survival upon heat stress

Mammalian male germ cells should be maintained below body temperature for proper development. Here, we investigated how male germ cells respond to heat stress. A short exposure of mouse testes to core body temperature induced phosphorylation of eIF2α and the formation of stress granules (SGs) in male germ cells. We observed that DAZL, a germ cell-specific translational regulator, was translocated to SGs upon heat stress. Furthermore, SG assembly activity was significantly diminished in the early male germ cells of Dazl-knockout mice. The DAZL-containing SGs played a protective role against heat stress-induced apoptosis by the sequestration of specific signaling molecules, such as RACK1, and the subsequent blockage of the apoptotic MAPK pathway. Based on these results, we propose that DAZL is an essential component of the SGs, which prevent male germ cells from undergoing apoptosis upon heat stress.     

Heterooligomeric complexes of human small heat shock proteins

Oligomeric association of human small heat shock proteins HspB1, HspB5, HspB6 and HspB8 was analyzed by means of size-exclusion chromatography, analytical ultracentrifugation and chemical cross-linking. Wild-type HspB1 and Cys mutants of HspB5, HspB6 and HspB8 containing a single Cys residue in position homologous to that of Cys137 of human HspB1 were able to generate heterodimers cross-linked by disulfide bond. Cross-linked heterodimers between HspB1/HspB5, HspB1/HspB6 and HspB5/HspB6 were easily produced upon mixing, whereas formation of any heterodimers with participation of HspB8 was significantly less efficient. The size of heterooligomers formed by HspB1/HspB6 and HspB5/HspB6 was different from the size of the corresponding homooligomers. Disulfide cross-linked homodimers of small heat shock proteins were unable to participate in heterooligomer formation. Thus, monomers can be involved in subunit exchange leading to heterooligomer formation and restriction of flexibility induced by disulfide cross-linking prevents subunit exchange.     

Structural dynamics of archaeal small heat shock proteins

Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) are a widespread and diverse class of molecular chaperones. In vivo, sHsps contribute to thermotolerance. Recent evidence suggests that their function in the cellular chaperone network is to maintain protein homeostasis by complexing a variety of non-native proteins. One of the most characteristic features of sHsps is their organization into large, sphere-like structures commonly consisting of 12 or 24 subunits. Here, we investigated the functional and structural properties of Hsp20.2, an sHsp from Archaeoglobus fulgidus, in comparison to its relative, Hsp16.5 from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. Hsp20.2 is active in suppressing the aggregation of different model substrates at physiological and heat-stress temperatures. Electron microscopy showed that Hsp20.2 forms two distinct types of octahedral oligomers of slightly different sizes, indicating certain structural flexibility of the oligomeric assembly. By three-dimensional analysis of electron microscopic images of negatively stained specimens, we were able to reconstitute 3D models of the assemblies at a resolution of 19 Å. Under conditions of heat stress, the distribution of the structurally different Hsp20.2 assemblies changed, and this change was correlated with an increased chaperone activity. In analogy to Hsp20.2, Hsp16.5 oligomers displayed structural dynamics and exhibited increased chaperone activity under conditions of heat stress. Thus, temperature-induced conformational regulation of the activity of sHsps may be a general phenomenon in thermophilic archaea.     

Enhanced proteome profiling by inhibiting proteolysis with small heat shock proteins

Proteolytic degradation is one of the critical problems in two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Here we report that small heat shock proteins (sHsps), including IbpA(Ec) and IbpB(Ec) from Escherichia coli and Hsp26(Sc) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are able to protect proteins in vitro from proteolytic degradation. Addition of sHsps during 2-DE of human serum or whole cell extracts of E. coli, Mannheimia succinciproducens, Arabidopsis thaliana, and human kidney cells allowed detection of up to 50% more protein spots than those obtainable with currently available protease inhibitors. Therefore, the use of sHsps during 2-DE significantly improves proteome profiling by generally enabling the detection of many more protein spots that could not be seen previously.     

Extracellular heat shock proteins in cell signaling

Extracellular stress proteins including heat shock proteins (Hsp) and glucose regulated proteins (Grp) are emerging as important mediators of intercellular signaling and transport. Release of such proteins from cells is triggered by physical trauma and behavioral stress as well as exposure to immunological "danger signals". Stress protein release occurs both through physiological secretion mechanisms and during cell death by necrosis. After release into the extracellular fluid, Hsp or Grp may then bind to the surfaces of adjacent cells and initiate signal transduction cascades as well as the transport of cargo molecules such as antigenic peptides. In addition Hsp60 and hsp70 are able to enter the bloodstream and may possess the ability to act at distant sites in the body. Many of the effects of extracellular stress proteins are mediated through cell surface receptors. Such receptors include Toll Like Receptors 2 and 4, CD40, CD91, CCR5 and members of the scavenger receptor family such as LOX-1 and SREC-1. The possession of a wide range of receptors for the Hsp and Grp family permits binding to a diverse range of cells and the performance of complex multicellular functions particularly in immune cells and neurones.     

Immunomodulation of function of small heat shock proteins prevents their assembly into heat stress granules and results in cell death at sublethal temperatures

The conformational dynamism and aggregate state of small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) may be crucial for their functions in thermoprotection of plant cells from the detrimental effects of heat stress. Ectopic expression of single chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies against cytosolic sHSPs was used as new tool to generate sHSP loss-of-function mutants by antibody-mediated prevention of the sHSP assembly in vivo . Anti-sHSP scFv antibodies transiently expressed in heat-stressed tobacco protoplasts were not only able to recognize the endogenous sHSPs but also prevented their assembly into heat stress granula (HSGs). Constitutive expression of the same scFv antibodies in transgenic plants did not alter their phenotype at normal growth temperatures, but their leaves turned yellow and died after prolonged stress at sublethal temperatures. Structural analysis revealed a regular cytosolic distribution of stress-induced sHSPs in mesophyll cells of stress-treated transgenic plants, whereas extensive formation of HSGs was observed in control cells. After prolonged stress at sublethal temperatures, mesophyll cells of transgenic plants suffered destruction of all cellular membranes and finally underwent cell death. In contrast, mesophyll cells of the stressed controls showed HSG disintegration accompanied by appearance of polysomes, dictyosomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum indicating normalization of cell functions. Apparently, the ability of sHSPs to assemble into HSGs as well as the HSG disintegration is a prerequisite for survival of plant cells under continuous stress conditions at sublethal temperatures.     

The role of small heat shock proteins in parasites

The natural life cycle of many protozoan and helminth parasites involves exposure to several hostile environmental conditions. Under these circumstances, the parasites arouse a cellular stress response that involves the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs). Small HSPs (sHSPs) constitute one of the main families of HSPs. The sHSPs are very divergent at the sequence level, but their secondary and tertiary structures are conserved and some of its members are related to α-crystallin from vertebrates. They are involved in a variety of cellular processes. As other HSPs, the sHSPs act as molecular chaperones; however, they have shown other activities apparently not related to chaperone action. In this review, the diverse activities of sHSPs in the major genera of protozoan and helminth parasites are described. These include stress response, development, and immune response, among others. In addition, an analysis comparing the sequences of sHSPs from some parasites using a distance analysis is presented. Because many parasites face hostile conditions through its life cycles the study of HSPs, including sHSPs, is fundamental.     

A mechanism of action for small heat shock proteins

Molecular dynamics simulations of a fitted multimeric structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis α-crystallin (Mtb Acr) identify solvent exclusion from the β(4)-β(8) hydrophobic groove as a critical factor driving subunit assembly. Dehydration is also implicated as a determinant factor governing the chaperone activity of the dimer upon its dissociation from the oligomer. Two exposed hydrogen bonds, responsible for stabilizing the β(8)-β(9) fold are identified as key mechanistic elements in this process. Based on the overproduction of the chemokine CXCL16, observed after macrophage exposure to Mtb Acr, the proteases ADAM10 and ADAM17 are mooted as possible targets of this chaperone activity.     

昆虫小分子量热激蛋白的研究进展

昆虫小分子量热激蛋白(Small heat shock proteins,s HSPs)是最早被发现的热激蛋白,但是有关它们的研究相对较少。本文对昆虫小分子量热激蛋白的最新研究成果进行了总结,旨在引起人们对该类蛋白的关注,以便进一步研究其功能,探讨其可能的应用前景。目前研究表明:昆虫小分子量热激蛋白是其所有热激蛋白中最不保守的家族。同时,它们通常拥有一个α-晶状体结构域;分子量范围一般在12~43 ku;具有分子伴侣的活性。每种昆虫体内拥有多种s HSPs,而且其功能也各不相同。这些热激蛋白在昆虫的生长发育、生殖以及滞育等重要生命活动中起着重要的作用;同时在抵御不良环境以及适应性进化中也具有重要意义。随着研究的深入,还将会有更多的昆虫s HSPs被鉴定,它们更多的功能也将被逐渐发掘。     

Biotechnical applications of small heat shock proteins from bacteria

The stress responses of most bacteria are thought to involve the upregulation of small heat shock proteins. We describe here some of the most pertinent aspects of small heat shock proteins, to highlight their potential for use in various applications. Bacterial species have between one and 13 genes encoding small heat shock proteins, the precise number depending on the species considered. Major efforts have recently been made to characterize the protein protection and membrane stabilization mechanisms involving small heat shock proteins in bacteria. These proteins seem to be involved in the acquisition of cellular heat tolerance. They could therefore potentially be used to maintain cell viability under unfavorable conditions, such as heat shock or chemical treatments. This review highlights the potential roles of applications of small heat shock proteins in stabilizing overproduced heterologous proteins in Escherichia coli, purified bacterial small heat shock proteins in protein biochip technology, proteomic analysis and food technology and the potential impact of these proteins on some diseases. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Small HSPs in physiology and pathology.     

Transglutaminase 2 in the balance of cell death and survival

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), a multifunctional enzyme with Ca(2+)-dependent protein crosslinking activity and GTP-dependent G protein functions, is often upregulated in cells undergoing apoptosis. In cultured cells TG2 may exert both pro- and anti-apoptotic effects depending upon the type of cell, the kind of death stimuli, the intracellular localization of the enzyme and the type of its activities switched on. The majority of data support the notion that transamidation by TG2 can both facilitate and inhibit apoptosis, while the GTP-bound form of the enzyme generally protects cells against death. In vivo studies confirm the Janus face of TG2 in the initiation of the apoptotic program. In addition, they reveal a further role: the prevention of inflammation, tissue injury and autoimmunity once the apoptosis has already been initiated. This function of TG2 is partially achieved by being expressed and activated also in macrophages digesting apoptotic cells and mediating a crosstalk between dying and phagocytic cells.