Heat-Induced Proteasomic Degradation of HSF1 in Serum-Starved Human Fibroblasts Aging in Vitro

The exposure of human fibroblasts (HF) aging in vitro to heat shock resulted in an attenuated expression of the heat shock-inducible HSP70. When late passage cells were cultured in the continuous presence of serum, we observed a reduced accumulation of the cytoplasmic polyadenylated HSP70 mRNA. The levels of HSF1 activation and nuclear HSP70 mRNA were comparable to those of early passage cells (M. A. Bonelli et al., Exp. Cell Res. 252, 20-32, 1999). When late passage cells were serum-starved overnight, we observed a reduced activation of HSF1 and a decreased level of HSP70 mRNA during heat shock. However, at 37 degrees C the levels of HSF1 differed little between late passage HF and early passage cells, irrespective of the presence of serum. Interestingly, during heat shock a marked decrease in the level and, consequently, in the binding activity of HSF1 was noted only in serum-starved, late passage HF. The decrease in the level of HSF1 was counteracted by back addition of serum to the cells during heat shock. Addition of the specific proteasome inhibitor MG132 blocked a decrease in HSF1 during heat shock, maintaining levels observed in late passage cells and HSF1 activity comparable to that of early passage HF. The recovery of the level and activity of HSF1 observed in late passage HF incubated in the presence of MG132 suggests that heat shock unmasks a latent proteasome activity responsible for HSF1 degradation.     

人热休克因子1突变体的应用研究进展

热休克因子1是调节应激反应的主要转录因子,它在应激条件下可被活化。通过基因突变得到正显性和负显性热休克因子1,它们不需要外界条件刺激就分别具有启动热休克蛋白的表达或竞争抑制内源热休克因子1活性的能力。目前,已有多个热休克因子1的突变体应用于疾病研究。介绍了热休克因子1的结构和活化途径,以及热休克因子1突变体在肿瘤、神经系统及心血管系统等方面的应用进展。