The protective role of small heat shock proteins in cardiac diseases: key role in atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common tachyarrhythmia which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. AF usually progresses from a self-terminating paroxysmal to persistent disease. It has been recognized that AF progression is driven by structural remodeling of cardiomyocytes, which results in electrical and contractile dysfunction of the atria. We recently showed that structural remodeling is rooted in derailment of proteostasis, i.e., homeostasis of protein production, function, and degradation. Since heat shock proteins (HSPs) play an important role in maintaining a healthy proteostasis, the role of HSPs was investigated in AF. It was found that especially small heat shock protein (HSPB) levels get exhausted in atrial tissue of patients with persistent AF and that genetic or pharmacological induction of HSPB protects against cardiomyocyte remodeling in experimental models for AF. In this review, we provide an overview of HSPBs as a potential therapeutic target for normalizing proteostasis and suppressing the substrates for AF progression in experimental and clinical AF and discuss HSP activators as a promising therapy to prevent AF onset and progression.     

Role of HDACs in cardiac electropathology: Therapeutic implications for atrial fibrillation

Perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is caused by electropathology, which is defined as impairment of electrical activation caused by structural and metabolic remodeling of cardiomyocytes. We previously dissected the molecular mechanisms underlying electropathology and identified an important role for histone deacetylases (HDACs). HDACs catalyze the removal of acetyl-groups from lysine residues within nucleosomal histone tails and many non-histone proteins. Various HDAC inhibitors are efficacious in attenuating electropathology, and improve contractile function in experimental AF. Emerging evidence reveals novel mechanisms by which HDAC inhibitors prevent cardiac electropathology and thereby benefit the heart during AF. These mechanisms include post-translational modification of contractile and structural proteins and changes in gene expression. In this review paper, we summarize recent findings on novel functions of zinc-dependent HDACs in electropathology and discuss the potential for pharmacological HDAC inhibition as a strategy to treat AF.     

Heat Shock Protein 70 Acts as a Potential Biomarker for Early Diagnosis of Heart Failure

Early identification for heart failure (HF) may be useful for disease modifying treatment in order to reduce heart disease progression or even to reverse it. In our previous studies, we have revealed a group of heat shock proteins (HSPs) which might be related to neonatal rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by proteomic approach. Here, we confirm that HSPs, including HSP27 and HSP70, altered in the early stage of cardiac remodeling in vivo animal model. Furthermore, plasma concentrations of those HSPs and their potential screening value were evaluated at different stages in 222 patient subjects. Plasma HSP27, HSP70 and HSP90 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results indicate that HSP70 was positively correlated to the severity (progression) of HF (r = 0.456, p<0.001). The area under the rate of change (ROC) curve was 0.601 (p = 0.017) in patients with stage B HF and 0.835 (p<0.001) in those with stage C HF. However, HSP27 and HSP90 did not display significant changes in any stage of HF in this study. Taken together, plasma concentrations of HSP70 elevated with the progression of HF and might act as a potential screening biomarker for early diagnosis of HF.     

Characterization of the heat shock response in cultured sugarcane cells : I. Physiology of the heat shock response and heat shock protein synthesis

Effect of heat shock on the growth of cultured sugarcane cells (Saccharum officinarum L.) was measured. Heat shock (HS) treatment at 36 to 38°C (2 hours) induced the development of maximum thermotolerance to otherwise nonpermissive heat stress at 54°C (7 minutes). Optimum thermotolerance was observed 8 hours after heat shock. Development of thermotolerance was initiated by treatments as short as 30 minutes at 36°C. Temperatures below 36°C or above 40°C failed to induce maximum thermotolerance. In vivo labeling revealed that HS at 32 to 34°C induced several high molecular mass heat shock proteins (HSPs). A complex of 18 kilodalton HSPs required at least 36°C treatment for induction. The majority of the HSPs began to accumulate within 10 minutes, whereas the synthesis of low molecular mass peptides in the 18 kilodalton range became evident 30 minutes after initiation of HS. HS above 38°C resulted in progressively decreased HSP synthesis with inhibition first observed for HSPs larger than 50 kilodaltons. Analysis of two-dimensional gels revealed a complex pattern of label incorporation including the synthesis of four major HSPs in the 18 kilodalton range and continued synthesis of constitutive proteins during HS.     

Heat Shock Proteins in Tobacco Cell Suspension during Growth Cycle

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Wisconsin 38) cells grown in suspension culture at 26°C produce heat shock proteins (HSPs) when exposed to elevated temperature of 34 to 42°C. At 34 and 38°C, synthesis of normal proteins is maintained while HSPs are expressed within 30 minutes after initiation of the shock. At 42°C, HSPs are still expressed but normal proteins are made at a reduced rate or not at all. Exposure of cells to 38°C allows for a full expression of HSPs without inhibition of the synthesis of normal proteins. Induced synthesis of HSPs at 38°C is maximal 1 to 2 hours after elevation of temperature and diminishes thereafter through at least 6 hours. Cells growing asynchronously in the logarithmic phase of growth produce HSPs at a much higher rate than those in the stationary phase. The ability to synthesize HSPs disappears about one generation time before the cells reach a growth plateau.     

Target molecules of molecular chaperone (HSP70 family) in injured gastric mucosa in vivo

AimsSeveral recent studies, including ours, have indicated the importance of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in cytoprotection against cytotoxic agents and environmental stresses mediated by the chaperone function of HSPs (molecular chaperones). However, the target molecule that is recognized by HSPs in damaged cells currently remains unknown. As HSPs rapidly recognize and bind to degenerated protein in cells, target molecules of HSPs might be key molecules for the initiation and pathogenesis of cellular damage. In the present study, gastric mucosal proteins that specifically bind to the HSP70 family (HSC70) were analyzed using HSC70-affinity chromatography.Main methodsThe gastric mucosa was removed from Sprague–Dawley rats after exposure to water immersion-stress for 0, 1, 3 or 5 h. Soluble fractions of each gastric mucosa were applied to the HSC70-affinity column separately. After washing off non-specific binding proteins, specific binding proteins were eluted by ATP-containing buffer. Binding proteins were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In addition, the amino acid sequence of purified proteins was also analyzed.Key findingsSpecific HSC70-binding proteins with a molecular weight of 200-kDa and 45-kDa were eluted from an affinity column when gastric mucosal homogenate of 1-h stress exposure was applied. The amino acid sequencing showed that these binding proteins were cytoskeletal myosin (heavy chain) and actin, respectively.SignificanceDuring the pathogenesis of stress-induced gastric mucosal damage, structurally degenerated cytoskeletal myosin (heavy chain) and actin may be key or initiation molecules which structural changes were firstly recognized by molecular chaperone.     

热休克转录因子1与机体耐热性的相关研究

热休克转录因子1(HSF1)能够启动各种热休克蛋白基因的诱导表达,这对防止机体免受热应激损伤具有重要的意义。从HSF1的结构、功能及活化过程等几个方面阐述了HSF1的生理特征及其与机体耐热性能之间的关系。     

Hormonal modulation of the heat shock response: insights from fish with divergent cortisol stress responses

Acute temperature stress in animals results in increases in heat shock proteins (HSPs) and stress hormones. There is evidence that stress hormones influence the magnitude of the heat shock response; however, their role is equivocal. To determine whether and how stress hormones may affect the heat shock response, we capitalized on two lines of rainbow trout specifically bred for their high (HR) and low (LR) cortisol response to stress. We predicted that LR fish, with a low cortisol but high catecholamine response to stress, would induce higher levels of HSPs after acute heat stress than HR trout. We found that HR fish have significantly higher increases in both catecholamines and cortisol compared with LR fish, and LR fish had no appreciable stress hormone response to heat shock. This unexpected finding prevented further interpretation of the hormonal modulation of the heat shock response but provided insight into stress-coping styles and environmental stress. HR fish also had a significantly greater and faster heat shock response and less oxidative protein damage than LR fish. Despite these clear differences in the physiological and cellular responses to heat shock, there were no differences in the thermal tolerance of HR and LR fish. Our results support the hypothesis that responsiveness to environmental change underpins the physiological differences in stress-coping styles. Here, we demonstrate that the heat shock response is a distinguishing feature of the HR and LR lines and suggest that it may have been coselected with the hormonal responses to stress.     

Report on the VIIth International Symposium on Heat Shock Proteins in Biology & Medicine

This seventh symposium in a series on heat shock proteins in biology and medicine was held November 1–5, 2014, at the Hilton Hotel in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Approximately 70 participants including principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students were in attendance. The major themes were: new properties of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and heat shock factor (HSF) and role in the etiology of cancer, molecular chaperones in aging, extracellular HSPs in inflammation and immunity, role of heat shock and the heat shock response in immunity and cancer, protein aggregation disorders and HSP expression, and Hsp70 in blood cell differentiation. The next meeting is planned for the fall of 2016 in the same venue.     

Early and late heat shock proteins in wheats and other cereal species

Coleoptiles and roots of 3-day-old seedlings from five cereal species (Triticum aestivum L., T. durum Desf., Hordeum vulgare L., Secale cereale L., and Triticale) respond to heat shock at 40°C by synthesizing a new set of 13 strong bands (as revealed by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis) as well as some 20°C proteins. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) belong to three different size groups: high molecular mass HSPs in the 103 to 70 kilodalton range, intermediate molecular mass HSPs in the 62 to 32 kilodalton range, and low molecular mass HSPs about 17 to 16 kilodalton in size. At the beginning of the heat shock coleoptiles show a reduced ability to synthesize intermediate molecular mass HSPs but after 4 hours at 40°C they exhibit fully developed HSP patterns identical to that found in roots. Synthesis of early HSPs declines after 7 hours of treatment followed by the appearance of a new set of 12 protein bands (late HSPs) in the ranges 99 to 83, 69 to 35, and 15 to 14 kilodaltons. After 12 hours at 40°C, three other late HSPs of 89, 45, and 38 kilodalton are induced. The induction of late HSPs after 7 hours at 40°C appears to be associated with an enhancement of radioactive methionine incorporation into proteins.     

Heat stress facilitates stretch-induced hypertrophy of cultured muscle cells

Increased mechanical stress induced by stretch is an important growth stimulus in skeletal muscle. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are an important family of endogenous, protective proteins. HSP90 and HSP70 families show elevated levels under beat stress. Mechanical stress, such as physical exercise, is known to induce not only muscular hypertrophy but also the elevation of HSPs expression in skeletal muscle. The purpose of this study was to determine whether heat stress facilitates the stretch-induced hypertrophy of skeletal muscle cells. Cultured rat myotubes (L6) were plated on collagenized Silastic membranes and incubated at 41 degrees C for 60 and 75 minutes (heat shock). Following the incubation, the cells were subjected two-second stretching and four-second releasing for 4 days at 37 degrees C. Protein concentrations in the homogenates and pellets of the cultured skeletal muscle cells increased under heat shock and/or mechanical stretching. The protein concentration of cells following mechanical stretching following heat shock was significantly higher than that following either heat shock or mechanical stretching alone. HSP72 in supernatants and HSP90 in pellets increased under heat shock and/or mechanical stretching. HSP90 in supernatants decreased following heat shock and/or mechanical stretching. Changes in HSPs and cellular protein concentrations in stressed cells suggest that the expression of HSPs may be closely related with muscular hypertrophy.     

Barcoding heat shock proteins to human diseases: looking beyond the heat shock response

There are numerous human diseases that are associated with protein misfolding and the formation of toxic protein aggregates. Activating the heat shock response (HSR) – and thus generally restoring the disturbed protein homeostasis associated with such diseases – has often been suggested as a therapeutic strategy. However, most data on activating the HSR or its downstream targets in mouse models of diseases associated with aggregate formation have been rather disappointing. The human chaperonome consists of many more heat shock proteins (HSPs) that are not regulated by the HSR, however, and researchers are now focusing on these as potential therapeutic targets. In this Review, we summarize the existing literature on a set of aggregation diseases and propose that each of them can be characterized or ‘barcoded’ by a different set of HSPs that can rescue specific types of aggregation. Some of these ‘non-canonical’ HSPs have demonstrated effectiveness in vivo, in mouse models of protein-aggregation disease. Interestingly, several of these HSPs also cause diseases when mutated – so-called chaperonopathies – which are also discussed in this Review.KEY WORDS: Chaperonopathies, Heat shock protein, Protein-aggregation diseases     

Heat Shock Inhibits alpha-Amylase Synthesis in Barley Aleurone without Inhibiting the Activity of Endoplasmic Reticulum Marker Enzymes

The effects of heat shock on the synthesis of α-amylase and on the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of barley (Hordeum vulgare) aleurone were studied. Heat shock, imposed by raising the temperature of incubation from 25°C to 40°C for 3 hours, inhibits the accumulation of α-amylase and other proteins in the incubation medium of barley aleurone layers treated with gibberellic acid and Ca²⁺. When ER is isolated from heat-shocked aleurone layers, less newly synthesized α-amylase is found associated with this membrane system. ER membranes, as indicated by the activities of NADH cytochrome c reductase and ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ transport, are not destroyed by heat stress, however. Although heat shock did not reduce the activity of ER membrane marker enzymes, it altered the buoyant density of these membranes. Whereas ER from control tissue showed a peak of marker enzyme activity at 27% to 28% sucrose (1.113-1.120 grams per cubic centimeter), ER from heat-shocked tissue peaked at 30% to 32% sucrose (1.127-1.137 grams per cubic centimeter). The synthesis of a group of proteins designated as heat-shock proteins (HSPs) was stimulated by heat shock. These HSPs were localized to different compartments of the aleurone cell. Several proteins ranging from 15 to 30 kilodaltons were found in the ER and the mitochondrial/plasma membrane fractions of heat-shocked cells, but none of the HSPs accumulated in the incubation medium of heat-shocked aleurone layers.     

Nuclear localization and the heat shock proteins

The highly conserved heat shock proteins (HSP) belong to a subset of cellular proteins that localize to the nucleus. HSPs are atypical nuclear proteins in that they localize to the nucleus selectively, rather than invariably. Nuclear localization of HSPs is associated with cell stress and cell growth. This aspect of HSPs is highly conserved with nuclear localization occurring in response to a wide variety of cell stresses. Nuclear localization is likely important for at least some of the heat shock proteins’ protective functions; little is known about the function of the heat shock proteins in the nucleus. Nuclear localization is signalled by the presence of a basic nuclear localization sequence (NLS) within a protein. Though most is known about HSP 72’s nuclear localization, the NLS(s) has not been definitively identified for any of the heat shock proteins. Likely more is involved than presence of a NLS; since the heat shock proteins only localize to the nucleus under selective conditions, nuclear localization must be regulated. HSPs also function as chaperons of nuclear transport, facilitating the movement of other macromolecules across the nuclear membrane. The mechanisms involved in chaperoning of proteins by HSPs into the nucleus are still being identified.     

A class of soybean low molecular weight heat shock proteins : immunological study and quantitation

Two major polypeptides of the 15- to 18-kilodalton class of soybean (Glycine max) heat shock proteins (HSPs), obtained from an HSP-enriched (NH₄)₂SO₄ fraction separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, were used individually as antigens to prepare antibodies. Each of these antibody preparations reacted with its antigen and cross-reacted with 12 other 15- to 18-kilodalton HSPs. With these antibodies, the accumulation of the 15- to 18-kilodalton HSPs under various heat shock (HS) conditions was quantified. The 15- to 18-kilodalton HSPs began to be detectable at 35° C, and after 4 hours at 40° C they had accumulated to a maximum level of 1.54 micrograms per 100 micrograms of total protein in soybean seedlings and remained almost unchanged up to 24 hours after HS. Accumulation of the HSPs was reduced at temperatures higher than 40° C. At 42.5° C the HSPs were reduced to 1.02 micrograms per 100 micrograms, and at 45° C they were hardly detectable. A brief HS at 45° C (10 minutes), followed by incubation at 28° C, which also induced HSP synthesis, resulted in synthesis of this class of HSPs at levels up to 1.06 micrograms per 100 micrograms of total protein. Taking into consideration the previous data concerning the acquisition of thermotolerance in soybean seedlings, our estimation indicates that the accumulation of the 15- to 18-kilodalton HSPs to 0.76 to 0.98% of total protein correlated well with the establishment of thermotolerance. Of course, other HSPs, in addition to this group of proteins, may be required for the development of thermotolerance.     

Potential role of heat shock proteins in neural differentiation of murine embryonal carcinoma stem cells (P19)

HSPs (heat shock proteins) have been recognized to maintain cellular homoeostasis during changes in microenvironment. The present study aimed to investigate the HSPs expression pattern in hierarchical neural differentiation stages from mouse embryonal carcinoma stem cells (P19) and its role in heat stressed exposed cells. For induction of HSPs, cells were heated at 42°C for 30 min and recovered at 37°C in different time points. For neural differentiation, EBs (embryoid bodies) were formed by plating P19 cells in bacterial dishes in the presence of 1 mM RA (retinoic acid) and 5% FBS (fetal bovine serum). Then, on the sixth day, EBs were trypsinized and plated in differentiation medium containing neurobasal medium, B27, N2 and 5% FBS and for an extra 4 days. The expression of HSPs and neural cell markers were evaluated by Western blot, flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry in different stages. Our results indicate that HSC (heat shock constant)70 and HSP60 expressions decreased following RA treatment, EB formation and in mature neural cells derived from heat-stressed single cells and not heat-treated EBs. While the level of HSP90 increased six times following maturation process, HSP25 was expressed constantly during neural differentiation; however, its level was enhanced with heat stress. Accordingly, heat shock 12 h before the initiation of differentiation did not affect the expression of neuroectodermal and neural markers, nestin and β-tubulin III, respectively. However, both markers increased when heat shock was induced after treatment and when EBs were formed. In conclusion, our results raise the possibility that HSPs could regulate cell differentiation and proliferation under both physiological and pathological conditions.     

Heat shock proteins protect platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) from Yersinia ruckeri induced mortality

The significant disadvantages accompanied with the use of antibiotics in aquaculture, emphasize the need for developing alternative disease control strategies, like novel vaccine approaches and immunostimulating measures. Several studies have already pointed out the ability of heat shock proteins (HSPs) to modulate innate and adaptive immune responses, what makes them potent candidates for the development of a new disease prevention method. In this study, the use of self and non-self heat shock proteins as a new prophylactic treatment against bacterial diseases in freshwater aquaculture was investigated. Therefore, an infection model was developed with platyfish as a host for Yersinia ruckeri infections. In this infection model, the effect of different treatments with HSPs on the survival of the fish after bacterial infection was tested: non-lethal heat shock, intracoelomal injection with two recombinant bacterial HSPs, GroEL and DnaK, and a combination of a non-lethal heat shock and an injection with bacterial HSPs. The results show that a non-lethal heat shock could not protect fish against a subsequent infection with Y. ruckeri. However, when the fish received an injection with bacterial HSPs, Y. ruckeri induced mortality was reduced. This effect became significant when the administration of bacterial HSPs was combined with a non-lethal heat shock. These data suggest a possible role for heat shock proteins as an immunostimulating treatment in fish against bacterial infections.     

Influence of Temperature Stress on in Vitro Fertilization and Heat Shock Protein Synthesis in Maize (Zea mays L.) Reproductive Tissues

This study was conducted to investigate the response of maize (Zea mays) male and female mature reproductive tissues to temperature stress. We have tested the fertilization abilities of the stressed spikelets and pollen using in vitro pollination-fertilization to determine their respective tolerance to stress. The synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs) was also analyzed in male and female tissues using electrophoresis of ³⁵S-labeled proteins and fluorography, to establish a relationship between the physiological and molecular responses. Pollen, spikelets, and pollinated spikelets were exposed to selected temperatures (4, 28, 32, 36, or 40°C) and tested using an in vitro fertilization system. The fertilization rate is highly reduced when pollinated spikelets are exposed to temperatures over 36°C. When pollen and spikelets are exposed separately to temperature stress, the female tissues appear resistant to 4 hours of cold stress (4°C) or heat stress (40°C). Under heat shock conditions, the synthesis of a typical set of HSPs is induced in the female tissues. In contrast, the mature pollen is sensitive to heat stress and is responsible for the failure of fertilization at high temperatures. At the molecular level, no heat shock response is detected in the mature pollen.