FKBP52

The large molecular-weight immunophilin, FKBP52, is a known target of the immunosuppressive drug FK506. FKBP52 exhibits peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity, which is inhibited by the binding of FK506--properties that it shares with the smaller but better-studied immunophilin, FKBP12. Unlike FKBP12, however, FKBP52 does not mediate the immunosuppressive actions of FK506 and, due to its larger size, contains additional numerous functional domains. One such structure is a series of tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains, which serve as binding sites for the ubiquitous and abundant molecular chaperone, Hsp90. It is this property as a TPR protein that best characterizes the known cellular roles of FKBP52. Here, we review the structural features of FKBP52 and relate them to the evolving and diverse functions of this protein. Although the most recognized role of FKBP52 is in regulation of steroid receptor signaling, other less well-known functions are also discussed.