Heat shock proteins of adult and embryonic human ocular lenses.

We investigated the presence and distribution of heat shock proteins, HSP-70 [Horwitz, J. 1992. Proc Natl Acad Sci 89:10449-10453], HSP-40, HSc-70, HSP-27, and alphabeta-crystallin in different regions of adult and fetal human lenses and in aging human lens epithelial cells. This study was undertaken because heat shock proteins may play an important role in the maintenance of the supramolecular organization of the lens proteins. Human adult and fetal lenses were dissected to separate the epithelium, superficial cortex, intermediate cortex, and nucleus. The water soluble and insoluble protein fractions were separated by SDS-PAGE, and transferred to nitrocellulose paper. Specific antibodies were used to identify the presence of heat shock proteins in distinct regions of the lens. HSP-70 [Horwitz, 1992], HSP-40, and HSc-70 immunoreactivity was mainly detected in the epithelium and superficial cortical fiber cells of the adult human lens. The small heat shock proteins, HSP-27 and alphabeta-crystallin were found in all regions of the lens. Fetal human lenses showed immunoreactivity to all heat shock proteins. An aging study revealed a decrease in heat shock protein levels, except for HSP-27. The presence of HSP-70 [Horwitz, 1992], HSP-40, and HSc-70 in the epithelium and superficial cortical fiber cells imply a regional cell specific function, whereas the decrease of heat shock protein with age could be responsible for the loss of optimal protein organization, and the eventual appearance of age-related cataract.     

Tissue-specific expression of heat shock proteins of the mouse in the absence of stress

The steady-state levels of four members of the heat shock proteins families (HSP84, HSC73, HSP71, and HSP25) were examined by immunoblot analysis of several different tissues of young and adult mice in the absence of stress. These hsps were detected in all tissues but their level was variable. The levels of HSC73 and HSP84 varied only slightly between different tissues in either young or adult mice, with the exception of skin where these hsps were found in reduced amounts. In contrast, the stress-inducible member of the HSP70 family, HSP71, was found to be expressed in all tissues but in amounts which differed by as much as two orders of magnitude between tissues. In general, the levels of both HSP71 and HSP25 were found to be tissue dependent, with higher levels found in tissues such as stomach, intestine, colon and bladder, tissues which are exposed to toxic environmental or metabolic products, and which may concentrate these substances by water resorption and/or be exposed to them for longer periods. The levels of HSP71 and HSP25 were generally positively correlated both in young and adult mice although this correlation was not found in certain tissues such as kidney, testes, and bone. Tissues of young mice contained lower amounts of HSP25 and HSP71 than were found in the same tissues from adults. We conclude that hsps are expressed in all tissues of the mouse in the absence of stress and that some organs, particularly those exposed to potentially toxic metabolites, show a higher level of expression of HSP71 and HSP25. © 1993Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

α-Lipoic Acid Inhibits Endotoxin-stimulated Expression of iNOS and Nitric Oxide Independent of the Heat Shock Response in RAW 264.7 Cells

The heat shock response protects against sepsis-induced mortality, organ injury, cardiovascular dysfunction, and apoptosis. Several inducers of the heat shock response, such as hyperthermia, sodium arsenite, and pyrollidine dithiocarbonate, inhibit NF-κB activation and nitric oxide formation. The antioxidant lipoic acid (LA) has recently been found to inhibit NF-κB activation and nitric oxide formation. We therefore tested the hypothesis that LA induces a heat shock response. To test this hypothesis, we determined whether exposure to LA affects expression of both heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) and nuclear heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated macrophages. LA and hyperthermia attenuated LPS-induced increases in nuclear NF-κB, iNOS protein, and media nitrite concentrations. LPS and hyperthermia increased HSP-70 concentrations 8-fold and 20-fold, respectively. No effect of LA treatment alone on HSP-70 protein expression was detected. Likewise, no effect of LA on HSF-1 protein expression was detected. These data suggest that LA inhibits LPS-induced activation of iNOS in macrophages independent of the heat shock response.     

二化螟热休克蛋白70基因的克隆及热胁迫下的表达分析

热休克蛋白70是已知热休克蛋白家族中最重要的一种, 它在细胞内的大量表达可以明显改善细胞的生存能力, 提高对环境胁迫的耐受性。为探讨热胁迫对二化螟Chilo suppressalis幼虫热休克蛋白70表达的影响, 采用RT-PCR及RACE技术从二化螟血淋巴细胞中克隆了热休克蛋白70基因全长cDNA序列。该基因全长2 102 bp, 开放阅读框 (open reading frame, ORF)为1 959 bp, 编码652个氨基酸; 5′非编码区（untranslated region, UTR)为81 bp, 3′UTR为62 bp。从该基因推导的氨基酸序列与其他昆虫的同源序列比较有很高的相似性（73%~97%)。实时定量PCR显示二化螟HSP70基因能被热胁迫诱导表达, 幼虫血淋巴细胞的HSP70基因在36℃时表达量最高。流式细胞术研究发现HSP70在蛋白质水平上的表达变化与在mRNA水平上高度一致, 说明二化螟HSP70基因在转录及翻译水平上受到热应激的调节。     

Heat shock proteins and chilling sensitivity of mung bean hypocotyls

Excised mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) hypocotyl sections wereexposed to 40 C for up to 4 h in the presence or absence of50 µM cycloheximide (CHX) before being held at a non-chilling(20 C) or chilling (2.5 C) temperature. Mung bean hypocotyltissue is chilling sensitive, and the rate of solute leakageis highly correlated with the extent of chilling injury. A 3h heat shock at 40 C reduced chilling-induced solute leakageby up to 40%, but leakage was similar to non-heat-shocked hypocotylswhen CHX was present. Specific proteins were labelled when hypocotylswere exposed to [³⁵S] methionine during the last hour of heatshock. The nine most intense bands on the autoradiographs ofSDS-PAGE gels of extracted protein corresponded to molecularweights of 114, 79, 73, 70, 60, 56, 51, 46, and 18 kDa. The18 kDa band reached a maximum after 1 h at 40 C and then rapidlydecreased in intensity as the heat shock continued, becomingundetectable at 4 h. The four most intense bands after 3 h at40 C corresponded to molecular weights of 79, 70, 51, and 46kDa. The synthesis of these four hsps was markedly reduced whenthe hypocotyl sections were exposed to CHX during heat shock.During chilling for 6 d, the levels of hsps 79 and 70 remainedsignificantly higher in tissue that was heat shocked prior tochilling than in tissue that was not heat shocked. In contrast,the levels of hsps 51 and 46 were similar in bothheat-shockedand control tissues. Heat-shock-induced chilling tolerance waslost between 6 and 9 d ofstorage at 2.5 C; this loss coincidedwith the decay of hsps 79 and 70 to control levels. These resultssuggest that heat shock induces an increase in both chillingtolerance and the de novo synthesis of specific heat shock proteins;namely hsps 79 and 70. This is the first report showing a relationshipbetween heat-shock-induced chilling tolerance and specific heat-shock-inducedproteins. Key words: Ion leakage, protein synthesis, Vigna radiata     

alpha-lipoic acid inhibits endotoxin-stimulated expression of iNOS and nitric oxide independent of the heat shock response in RAW 264.7 cells

The heat shock response protects against sepsis-induced mortality, organ injury, cardiovascular dysfunction, and apoptosis. Several inducers of the heat shock response, such as hyperthermia, sodium arsenite, and pyrollidine dithiocarbonate, inhibit NF-κB activation and nitric oxide formation. The antioxidant lipoic acid (LA) has recently been found to inhibit NF-κB activation and nitric oxide formation. We therefore tested the hypothesis that LA induces a heat shock response. To test this hypothesis, we determined whether exposure to LA affects expression of both heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) and nuclear heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated macrophages. LA and hyperthermia attenuated LPS-induced increases in nuclear NF-κB, iNOS protein, and media nitrite concentrations. LPS and hyperthermia increased HSP-70 concentrations 8-fold and 20-fold, respectively. No effect of LA treatment alone on HSP-70 protein expression was detected. Likewise, no effect of LA on HSF-1 protein expression was detected. These data suggest that LA inhibits LPS-induced activation of iNOS in macrophages independent of the heat shock response.     

The dynamic state of heat shock proteins in chicken embryo fibroblasts

Subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence microscopy have been used to study the intracellular distributions of the major heat shock proteins, hsp 89, hsp 70, and hsp 24, in chicken embryo fibroblasts stressed by heat shock, allowed to recover and then restressed. Hsp 89 was localized primarily to the cytoplasm except during the restress when a portion of this protein concentrated in the nuclear region. Under all conditions, hsp 89 was readily extracted from cells by detergent. During stress and restress, significant amounts of hsp 70 moved to the nucleus and became resistant to detergent extraction. Some of this hsp 70 was released from the insoluble form in an ATP-dependent reaction. Hsp 24 was confined to the cytoplasm and, during restress, aggregated to detergent-insoluble perinuclear phase-dense granules. These granules dissociated during recovery and hsp 24 could be solubilized by detergent. The nuclear hsps reappeared in the cytoplasm in cells allowed to recover at normal temperatures. Sodium arsenite also induces hsps and their distributions were similar to that observed after a heat shock, except for hsp 89, which remained cytoplasmic. We also examined by immunofluorescence the cytoskeletal systems of chicken embryo fibroblasts subjected to heat shock and found no gross morphological changes in cytoplasmic microfilaments or microtubules. However, the intermediate filament network was very sensitive and collapsed around the nucleus very shortly after a heat shock. The normal intermediate filament morphology reformed when cells were allowed to recover from the stress. Inclusion of actinomycin D during the heat shock--a condition that prevents synthesis of the hsps--did not affect the intermediate filament collapse, but recovery of the normal morphology did not occur. We suggest that an hsp(s) may aid in the formation of the intermediate filament network after stress.     

Heat Shock Proteins of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] Cultivars with Differing Heat Tolerance at Seedling Establishment Stage

The production of heat shock proteins was compared in sorghumand pearl millet genotypes differing in seedling establishmentcharacteristics under heat stress. Two major heat shock proteins(hsps) of apparent mol. wt. 65 kD and 62 kD were seen in allthe genotypes of sorghum tested when the incubation temperatureof the 40 h seedlings was altered from 35 ?C to 45 ?C for 2h. Under identical conditions, pearl millet genotypes showedmore hsps and the apparent mol. wt. of these ranged from 30–70kD. The hsp bands were more prominent in whole seedlings androots as compared to plumules. Differences in the productionof hsps were seen in sorghum and pearl millet genotypes withcontrasting heat tolerance at seedling establishment stage butthe significance of these needs to be studied further. Key words: Heat shock proteins, sorghum, genotypic differences     

A comprehensive analysis of heat shock protein synthesis in human peripheral lymphocytes: the effect of penicillin/streptomycin.

A reliable experimental procedure is described for the simultaneous characterisation of a comprehensive range of heat shock proteins (hsps) in human peripheral lymphocytes. In this system, a mild heat shock from 37 to 42 degrees C for 1 h induced the synthesis of hsps 105, 90, 70, 60, 57, 47, 40, 27 and 16. Densitometric analyses of 35[S]-methionine labelled protein gels indicated that levels of these hsps peaked at 3 to 4 h, following post-heat shock recovery at 37 degrees C. The presence of penicillin and streptomycin in the cell culture medium, appeared to have little effect on the kinetics of hsp synthesis. The present method can be used for relatively small blood samples and its relative ease of application and reproducibility make it appropriate for screening the expression of hsps in human lymphocytes from a range of individuals.     

The synthesis and localization of crystallins in different cell compartments of the crystalline lens in adult frogs: immunoautoradiographic and immunofluorescent research

The purpose of this study was to analyze immunochemically the synthesis and distribution of tissue-specific proteins, i.e., alpha-, beta- gamma- and rho-crystallins, in morphologically distinct regions of the frog (Rana temporaria L.) lens which consist of cells at various stages of differentiation, maturation and aging. Five such cell compartments can be distinguished in the lens: (1) central zone of lens epithelium (stem/clonogenic cells); (2) equatorial epithelial cells (differentiating cells); (3) lens fibers of the outer cortex (post-mitotic differentiated cells); (4) lens fibers of the deep cortex (cells without nuclei at terminal stage of differentiation); and (5) cells of the lens "nucleus" (cells formed during embryogenesis). Intact lenses and isolated lens epithelium were cultured in vitro in the presence of 35S-methionine. Then lens epithelium, outer and deep cortex, and lens nucleus were extracted with buffered saline and extracts used for immunoautoradiography. Distribution of crystallins in paraffin sections of the whole lens or isolated lens epithelium was studied using indirect immunofluorescence. Synthesis of alpha-crystallins was observed in lens epithelium and cortex, but not in lens nucleus. According to immunohistochemistry, these proteins were absent from central part of the lens epithelium: positive fluorescence was observed only in elongating cells at its periphery and in lens fibers. The data on beta-crystallins are similar except that synthesis of these proteins (traces) was detected also in lens nucleus. Synthesis of gamma-crystallins was detected in lens cortex and nucleus (traces) but not in epithelium. Immunohistochemistry showed that these proteins are absent from all regions of lens epithelium and found only in fiber cells of cortex and nucleus. Rho-crystallin was synthesized in all cell compartments of the adult lens, and all lens cells contained this protein. Our results show that cells of central lens epithelium do not contain alpha- beta- or gamma-crystallins (or the rate of their synthesis is insignificant). While cells are moving towards lens equator and elongating, synthesis of alpha- and beta-crystallins is activated. Gamma-crystallins are synthesized later, first in young lens fibers near lens equator. During embryonic development in amphibia, in contrast, gamma- and beta-crystallins are detected at earlier stages than alpha- and rho-crystallins (Mikha?lov et al., 1988). These data suggest that different mechanisms are involved in differentiation on lens fibers from embryonic precursor cells, on one hand, and from epithelial stem cells of adult lens, on the other.     

Heat shock response of germinating embryos of wheat : effects of imbibition time and seed vigor

Seeds frequently face a hostile environment during early germination. In order to determine whether seeds have evolved unique mechanisms to deal with such environments, a survey of the heat shock response in isolated embryos of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was undertaken. Embryos simultaneously heat shocked and labeled following several different periods of prior imbibition up to 12 hours synthesized many groups of heat shock proteins (hsps) typical of other plant and animal systems. Also, five developmentally dependent hsps, present only in treatments imbibed less than 6 hours prior to heat shock, were detected. These proteins have relative molecular masses of 14, 40, 46, 58, and 60 kilodaltons. One of the developmentally dependent hsps is among the most highly labeled hsps found in early imbibed embryos. The possibility that this protein is the E_m protein is discussed. The hypothesis that the capacity for hsp synthesis is affected by seed vigor was also tested. The heat shock responses of embryos from two high and two low vigor seed lots were compared using one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis of labelled protein extracts. The results indicate that both of the low vigor lots tested had weaker heat shock responses than their high vigor counterparts overall. Not all hsps were relatively less abundant in low vigor embryos. The developmentally dependent hsps showed little relationship to vigor. Some of the developmentally dependent hsps were actually made in greater amounts, relative to other proteins, in the low vigor seed lots. The results presented here demonstrate that imbibing embryos are capable of expressing an enhanced heat shock response, and that this response is related to seed vigor.     

Developmental changes in proteins of purified membranes of chicken lenses and evidence for contamination by cytoplasmic delta-crystallin.

Urea-washed membranes from embryonic chick lenses (15 days old) and from the cortical and nuclear regions of adult chicken lenses (1 year) have been prepared by repeated centrifugation through discontinuous density gradients. The protein components of the isolated membranes have been examined by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate and urea. Proteins with molecular weights of 75 000, 56 000, 54 000, 48 000, 34 000, 32 000, 25 000, and 22 000 were present in all the membrane preparations, although their proportions changed during development. One additional protein, molecular weight 70 000, was seen only in the embryonic lens membranes. The greatest developmental change was the increase in 25 000 molecular weight protein from 12% in the embryonic lens to about 45% in the adult lens. Since it has been suggested that this protein is associated with gap junctions, its increase during development may reflect a corresponding increase in the number of gap junctions in the lens. The 50 000 molecular weight protein of embryonic lens membranes and membranes of adult nuclear lens fibers consisted at least partly of delta-crystallin, since delta-crystallin peptides could be identified in tryptic peptide maps of the isolated protein after in vitro radioiodination. Peptide maps of the 50 000 molecular weight protein of cortical lens fiber membranes contained no identifiable delta-crystallin peptides, although it is possible that modified delta-crystallin peptides may be present. The level of cytoplasmic contamination of the membrane fraction was estimated by preparing lens membranes in the presence of added delta-[35S]crystallin. The results indicated that cytoplasmic contamination contributes significantly to the presence of delta-crystallin in lens membrane preparations.     

HDJC9, a novel human type C DnaJ/HSP40 member interacts with and cochaperones HSP70 through the J domain

HSP40s are a subfamily of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and play important roles in regulation of cell proliferation, survival and apoptosis by serving as chaperones for HSP70s. Up to date hundreds of HSP40 proteins derived from various species ranging from Escherichia coli to homo sapiens have been identified. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a novel human type C DnaJ homologue, HDJC9, containing a typical N-terminal J domain. HDJC9 is upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels upon various stress and mitogenic stimulations. HDJC9 is mainly localized in cell nuclei under normal culture conditions while it is transported into cytoplasm and plasma membrane upon heat shock stress through a non-classical and lipid-dependent pathway. HDJC9 can interact with HSP70s and activate the ATPase activity of HSP70s, both of which are dependent on the J domain. Our data suggest that HDJC9 is a novel cochaperone for HSP70s.     

Stress proteins and stress tolerance in an Antarctic, psychrophilic yeast, Candida psychrophila

Conditions are described for the heat shock acquisition of thermotolerance, peroxide tolerance and synthesis of heat shock proteins (hsps) in the Antarctic, psychrophilic yeast Candida psychrophila. Cells grown at 15°C and heat shocked at 25°C (3 h) acquired tolerance to heat (35°C) and hydrogen peroxide (100 mM). Novel heat shock inducible proteins at 80 and 110 kDa were observed as well as the presence of hsp 90, 70 and 60. The latter hsps were not significantly heat shock inducible. The absence of hsp 104 was intriguing and it was speculated that the 110 kDa protein may play a role in stress tolerance in psychrophilic yeasts, similar to that of hsp 104 in mesophilic species.     

Different intracellular distributions of heat-shock and arsenite-induced proteins in Drosophila Kc cells. Possible relation with the phosphorylation and translocation of a major cytoskeletal protein

The intracellular distribution of heat shock proteins (hsps) from Drosophila Kc cells is different in heat and in arsenite-treated cells. While the cytoplasmic localization of hsp 84 is confirmed in both treatments, the association of hsp 70 with the nucleus occurs only in heat-treated cells. This heat-dependent association of certain hsps with the nuclear pellet is confirmed by incubation of cells at various temperatures ranging from 23 to 39 °C. Furthermore their presence in this nuclear pellet can be correlated with the translocation and phosphorylation of a major cellular cytoskeletal protein of M_r 45,000. It is concluded that the previously reported nuclear association of hsps is not necessarily indicative of a nuclear function. It is further suggested that hsps might have a structural function within the cell.