Gaucher disease （GD） is a lysosomal storage disorder （LSD） affecting approximately 1 in 50,000 individuals in the general population. Mutations in both alleles of the GBA1 gene result in deficient glucocerebrosida...Gaucher disease （GD） is a lysosomal storage disorder （LSD） affecting approximately 1 in 50,000 individuals in the general population. Mutations in both alleles of the GBA1 gene result in deficient glucocerebrosidase （GCase） activity, which in turn leads to the accumulation of glycolipid substrates and impaired lysosomal function. GD is a multisystern disorder with a vast spectrum of clinical phenotvpes,展开更多
RNA-remodeling proteins,including RNA helicases and chaperones,play vital roles in the remodeling of structured RNAs.During viral replication,viruses require RNA-remodeling proteins to facilitate proper folding and/or...RNA-remodeling proteins,including RNA helicases and chaperones,play vital roles in the remodeling of structured RNAs.During viral replication,viruses require RNA-remodeling proteins to facilitate proper folding and/or re-folding the viral RNA elements.Coxsackieviruses B3(CVB3)and Coxsackieviruses B5(CVB5),belonging to the genus Enterovirus in the family Picornaviridae,have been reported to cause various infectious diseases such as hand-foot-and-mouth disease,aseptic meningitis,and viral myocarditis.However,little is known about whether CVB3 and CVB5 encode any RNA remodeling proteins.In this study,we showed that 2C proteins of CVB3 and CVB5 contained the conserved SF3 helicase A,B,and C motifs,and functioned not only as RNA helicase that unwound RNA helix bidirectionally in an NTP-dependent manner,but also as RNA chaperone that remodeled structured RNAs and facilitated RNA strand annealing independently of NTP.In addition,we determined that the NTPase activity and RNA helicase activity of 2C proteins of CVB3 and CVB5 were dependent on the presence of divalent metallic ions.Our findings demonstrate that 2C proteins of CVBs possess RNA-remodeling activity and underline the functional importance of 2C protein in the life cycle of CVBs.展开更多
Amyloid protein aggregation plays a major role in multiple neurodegenerative diseases and is likely the primary driving force for the progression of most of these diseases.Multiple recent studies have highlighted that...Amyloid protein aggregation plays a major role in multiple neurodegenerative diseases and is likely the primary driving force for the progression of most of these diseases.Multiple recent studies have highlighted that the DNAJ homolog subfamily B member 6(DNAJB6)chaperone is particularly interesting,when it comes to preventing amyloidogenic proteins from aggregating.It has been shown that DNAJB6 can prevent the aggregation of polyglutamine-expanded proteins in models of Huntington’s disease.Likewise,it can suppress aggregation ofα-synuclein in models of Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies.Finally,it has been shown that DNAJB6 can block aggregation of multiple additional amyloid proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies as well.We believe there is yet much to learn about the protective role of DNAJB6 in the brain,but this focused review summarizes,what we know so far of this chaperone.It describes the biological role of DNAJB6 in the brain and its interaction with Hsp70,with particular emphasis on the studies that show its ability to prevent amyloid protein aggregation in vitro and in vivo.Moreover,recent work on dysregulation of the expression of DNAJB6 in brain clinical tissue is discussed.Finally,we discuss potential therapeutic perspectives as we believe this protein is a promising druggable target.展开更多
Heat shock protein family B(small)member 8(HSPB8)is a 22 kDa ubiquitously expressed protein belonging to the family of small heat shock proteins.HSPB8 is involved in various cellular mechanisms mainly related to prote...Heat shock protein family B(small)member 8(HSPB8)is a 22 kDa ubiquitously expressed protein belonging to the family of small heat shock proteins.HSPB8 is involved in various cellular mechanisms mainly related to proteotoxic stress response and in other processes such as inflammation,cell division,and migration.HSPB8 binds misfolded clients to prevent their aggregation by assisting protein refolding or degradation through chaperone-assisted selective autophagy.In line with this function,the pro-degradative activity of HSPB8 has been found protective in several neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases characterized by protein misfolding and aggregation.In cancer,HSPB8 has a dual role being capable of exerting either a pro-or an anti-tumoral activity depending on the pathways and factors expressed by the model of cancer under investigation.Moreover,HSPB8 exerts a protective function in different diseases by modulating the inflammatory response,which characterizes not only neurodegenerative diseases,but also other chronic or acute conditions affecting the nervous system,such as multiple sclerosis and intracerebellar hemorrhage.Of note,HSPB8 modulation may represent a therapeutic approach in other neurological conditions that develop as a secondary consequence of other diseases.This is the case of cognitive impairment related to diabetes mellitus,in which HSPB8 exerts a protective activity by assuring mitochondrial homeostasis.This review aims to summarize the diverse and multiple functions of HSPB8 in different pathological conditions,focusing on the beneficial effects of its modulation.Drug-based and alternative therapeutic approaches targeting HSPB8 and its regulated pathways will be discussed,emphasizing how new strategies for cell and tissue-specific delivery represent an avenue to advance in disease treatments.展开更多
PrPSc,a misfolded,aggregation-prone isoform of the cellular prion protein(PrPC),is the infectious prion agent responsible for fatal neurodegenerative diseases of humans and other mammals.PrPSccan adopt different patho...PrPSc,a misfolded,aggregation-prone isoform of the cellular prion protein(PrPC),is the infectious prion agent responsible for fatal neurodegenerative diseases of humans and other mammals.PrPSccan adopt different pathogenic conformations(prion strains),which can be resistant to potential drugs,or acquire drug resistance,posing challenges for the development of effective therapies.Since PrPCis the obligate precursor of any prion strain and serves as the mediator of prion neurotoxicity,it represents an attractive therapeutic target fo r prion diseases.In this minireview,we briefly outline the approaches to target PrPCand discuss our recent identification of Zn(Ⅱ)-Bn PyP,a PrPC-targeting porphyrin with an unprecedented bimodal mechanism of action.We argue that in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanism by which Zn(Ⅱ)-Bn PyP targets PrPCmay lead toward the development of a new class of dual mechanism anti-prion compounds.展开更多
Insulin is an essential and versatile protein taking part in the control of blood glucose levels and protein anabolism.However,under prolonged storage or high temperature stress,insulin tends to unfold and aggregate i...Insulin is an essential and versatile protein taking part in the control of blood glucose levels and protein anabolism.However,under prolonged storage or high temperature stress,insulin tends to unfold and aggregate into toxic amyloid fibrils,leading to loss of physiological function.Inspired by natural chaperones,a series of temperature-sensitive polycaprolactone-based micelles were designed to prevent insulin from deactivation.The micelles were fabricated through the self-assembly of amphiphilic copolymers of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(4-diethylformamide caprolactone-co-caprolactone)(mPEG_(17)-P(DECL-co-CL)),which had a regular spherical morphology with particle sizes of about 100 nm.In addition,the lower critical solution temperature(LCST)of the micelles could be tuned to 9 and 29℃by changing the ratio of DECL to CL.Benefiting from the temperature-sensitivity of DECL segment,the binding ability of micelles to insulin could be modulated by changing the temperature.Above LCST,micelles effectively inhibited insulin aggregation and protected it from thermal inactivation due to the strong binding ability between the hydrophobic segment DECL and insulin.Below LCST,DECL segment returned to hydrophilic and bound weakly with insulin,leading to the release of insulin and assisting in its recovery of secondary structure.Thus,these temperature-sensitive micelles provided an effective strategy for insulin protection.展开更多
The Clp/Hsp100 family,part of the ATPase associated with various cellular activities(AAA+)superfamily,includes caseinolytic peptidase B(ClpB),a highly conserved protein found in bacteria,fungi,protozoa,and plants.Nota...The Clp/Hsp100 family,part of the ATPase associated with various cellular activities(AAA+)superfamily,includes caseinolytic peptidase B(ClpB),a highly conserved protein found in bacteria,fungi,protozoa,and plants.Notably,ClpB is present in all ESKAPE pathogens:Enterococcus faecium,Staphylococcus aureus,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Acinetobacter baumannii,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Enterobacter spp.ClpB plays a crucial role in reactivating and disaggregating proteins,enabling pathogens to survive under host-induced stress and conferring thermotolerance to bacterial cells.Infections caused by ESKAPE pathogens are particularly challenging due to their resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics and biofilm formation,posing a significant global health threat as they are often multidrug-resistant,extensively drug-resistant,and pan-drug-resistant.Given its absence in human cells and its essential role in bacterial survival under stress,ClpB is a promising target for antimicrobial therapy.Targeting Hsp100 family proteins could lead to the development of novel antifungal and antiprotozoal treatments.This review explores the function of ClpB in the survival of ESKAPE pathogens and the protozoan Plasmodium falciparum.Relevant research findings were compiled using academic databases,and data analysis was performed using Clustal Omega Multiple Sequence Alignment and Boxshade tools.展开更多
Objective To investigate the effect of ischemic preconditioning on chaperone hsp70 expression and protein aggregation in the CA1 neurons of rats, and to further explore its potential neuroprotective mechanism. Methods...Objective To investigate the effect of ischemic preconditioning on chaperone hsp70 expression and protein aggregation in the CA1 neurons of rats, and to further explore its potential neuroprotective mechanism. Methods Two-vesseloccluded transient global ischemia rat model was used. The rats were divided into sublethal 3-min ischemia group, lethal 10- min ischemia group and ischemic preconditioning group. Neuronal death in the CA1 region was observed by hematoxylineosin staining, and number of live neurons was assessed by cell counting under a light microscope. Immunochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy were used to observe the distribution of chaperone hsp70 in the CA1 neurons. Differential centrifuge was used to isolate cytosol, nucleus and protein aggregates fractions. Western blot was used to analyze the quantitative alterations of protein aggregates and inducible chaperone hsp70 in cellular fractions and in protein aggregates under different ischemic conditions. Results Histological examination showed that ischemic preconditioning significantly reduced delayed neuronal death in the hippocampus CA1 region （P 〈 0.01 vs 10-min ischemia group）. Sublethal ischemic preconditioning induced chaperone hsp70 expression in the CA1 neurons after 24 h reperfusion following 10-min ischemia. Induced-hsp70 combined with the abnormal proteins produced during the secondary lethal 10-min ischemia and inhibited the formation of cytotoxic protein aggregates（P〈0.01 vs 10-min ischemia group）.Conelusion Ischemic preconditioning induced chaperone hsp70 expression and inhibited protein aggregates formation in the CA1 neurons when suffered secondary lethal ischemia, which may protect neurons from death.展开更多
目的采用RNA干扰技术沉默CCS(copper chaperone for SOD1)基因,构建相关小干扰RNA(siRNA),探索出针对CCS的高效siRNA序列。方法合成用于人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)细胞中沉默CCS基因的siRNA。应用脂质体转染的方法在HUVEC细胞中对CCS基因...目的采用RNA干扰技术沉默CCS(copper chaperone for SOD1)基因,构建相关小干扰RNA(siRNA),探索出针对CCS的高效siRNA序列。方法合成用于人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)细胞中沉默CCS基因的siRNA。应用脂质体转染的方法在HUVEC细胞中对CCS基因进行RNA沉默。蛋白免疫印迹Western blotting检测沉默前后CCS蛋白表达变化的情况,甲基四唑蓝法MTT检测转染前后细胞活力。最后用单因素方差分析对数据进行统计学分析,以确定有效的siRNA序列。结果转染前后细胞形态无肉眼可见变化,转染后细胞活力分别为98.5%和98.8%。CCS蛋白沉默率分别为63.7%和61.4%。结论采用siCCS-2和siCCS-3序列转染条件对HUVEC细胞活力损伤小,CCS沉默效率高,实验条件稳定,重复性好。为我们继续研究沉默CCS后抑制血管内皮细胞的生长增殖、血管形成提供了稳定的实验基础。展开更多
One of the most common lesions present in the spermatozoa of human infertility patients is an idiopathic failure of sperm-egg recognition. Although this unique cellular interaction can now be readily by-passed by assi...One of the most common lesions present in the spermatozoa of human infertility patients is an idiopathic failure of sperm-egg recognition. Although this unique cellular interaction can now be readily by-passed by assisted reproductive strategies such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI）, recent large-scale epidemiological studies have encouraged the cautious use of this technology and highlighted the need for further research into the mechanisms responsible for defective sperm-egg recognition. Previous work in this field has established that the sperm domains responsible for oocyte interaction are formed during spermatogenesis prior to being dynamically modified during epididymal maturation and capacitation in female reproductive tract. While the factors responsible for the regulation of these sequential maturational events are undoubtedly complex, emerging research has identified the molecular chaperone, heat shock protein A2 （HSPA2）, as a key regulator of these events in human spermatozoa. HSPA2 is a testis-enriched member of the 70 kDa heat shock protein family that promotes the folding, transport, and assembly of protein complexes and has been positively correlated with in vitro fertilization （IVF） success. Furthermore, reduced expression of HSPA2 from the human sperm proteome leads to an impaired capacity for cumulus matrix dispersal, sperm-egg recognition and fertilization following both IVF and ICSI. In this review, we consider the evidence supporting the role of HSPA2 in sperm function and explore the potential mechanisms by which it is depleted in the spermatozoa of infertile patients. Such information offers novel insights into the molecular mechanisms governing sperm function.展开更多
Chromatin structure is important for controlling gene expression, but mechanisms underlying chromatin remodel- ing are not fully understood. Here we report that an FKBP （FK506 binding protein） type immunophilin, AtF...Chromatin structure is important for controlling gene expression, but mechanisms underlying chromatin remodel- ing are not fully understood. Here we report that an FKBP （FK506 binding protein） type immunophilin, AtFKBP53, possesses histone chaperone activity and is required for repressing ribosomal gene expression in Arabidopsis. The At- FKBP53 protein is a multidomain FKBP with a typical peptidylprolyl isomerase （PPIase） domain and several highly charged domains. Using nucleosome assembly assays, we showed that AtFKBP53 has histone chaperone activity and the charged acidic domains are sufficient for the activity. We show that AtFKBP53 interacts with histone H3 through the acidic domains, whereas the PPIase domain is dispensable for histone chaperone activity or histone binding. Ri- bosomal RNA gene （18S rDNA） is overexpressed when AtFKBP53 activity is reduced or eliminated in Arabidopsis plants. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that AtFKBP53 is associated with the 18S rDNA gene chro- matin, implicating that AtFKBP53 represses rRNA genes at the chromatin level. This study identifies a new histone chaperone in plants that functions in chromatin remodeling and regulation of transcription.展开更多
Heat-shock proteins （HSPs） play an undisputed role for maintaining cellular functioning under environmental challenges and protein denaturing conditions. Compelling evidence points to an evolutionary important role ...Heat-shock proteins （HSPs） play an undisputed role for maintaining cellular functioning under environmental challenges and protein denaturing conditions. Compelling evidence points to an evolutionary important role of HSPs and a strict evolutionary control of these proteins as a balance between benefits and costs. While there is a great potential for using HSP expression for detecting natural adaptation and exposure to stress in natural populations, some obstacles and key issues await investigation. From an ecological perspective these key issues needs to be resolved in order to fully appreciate the complex responses and adaptations to stress and to increase our understanding of HSPs and other molecular chaperones for stress adaptation and potential use as biomarkers. Here, the current knowledge and understanding of HSPs is reviewed and a number of key issues including the interpretation of elevated HSP levels, the complications of extrapolating between laboratory and field conditions, the effects of choice of traits and methodology and the larger intra-and extracellular networks of interactions that HSPs participate in are discussed [Current Zoology 56 （6）： 703-713, 2010].展开更多
Alcoholic liver disease （ALD） is a leading cause of liver disease and liver-related deaths globally, particularly in developed nations. Liver fibrosis is a consequence of ALD and other chronic liver insults, which c...Alcoholic liver disease （ALD） is a leading cause of liver disease and liver-related deaths globally, particularly in developed nations. Liver fibrosis is a consequence of ALD and other chronic liver insults, which can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma if left untreated. Liver fibrosis is characterized by accumulation of excess extracellular matrix components, including type I collagen, which disrupts liver microcirculation and leads to injury. To date, there is no therapy for the treatment of liver fibrosis; thus treatments that either prevent the accumulation of type I collagen or hasten its degradation are desirable. The focus of this review is to examine the regulation of type I collagen in fibrogenic cells of the liver and to discuss current advances in therapeutics to eliminate excessive collagen deposition.展开更多
The hepatitis C virus(HCV) infects approximately 3% of the world population or more than 185 million people worldwide. Each year, an estimated 350000-500000 deaths occur worldwide due to HCV-associated diseases includ...The hepatitis C virus(HCV) infects approximately 3% of the world population or more than 185 million people worldwide. Each year, an estimated 350000-500000 deaths occur worldwide due to HCV-associated diseases including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV is the most common indication for liver transplantation in patients with cirrhosis worldwide. HCV is an enveloped RNA virus classified in the genus Hepacivirus in the Flaviviridae family. The HCV viral life cycle in a cell can be divided into six phases:(1) binding and internalization;(2) cytoplasmic release and uncoating;(3) viral polyprotein translation and processing;(4) RNA genome replication;(5) encapsidation(packaging) and assembly; and(6) virus morphogenesis(maturation) and secretion. Many host factors are involved in the HCV life cycle. Chaperones are an important group of host cytoprotective molecules that coordinate numerous cellular processes including protein folding, multimeric protein assembly, protein trafficking, and protein degradation. All phases of the viral life cycle require chaperone activity and the interaction of viral proteins with chaperones. This review will present our current knowledge and understanding of the role of chaperones in the HCV life cycle. Analysis of chaperones in HCV infection will provide further insights into viral/host interactions and potential therapeutic targets for both HCV and other viruses.展开更多
Parkinson's disease(PD) is one of the most debilitating brain diseases. Despite the availability of symptomatic treatments, response towards the health of PD patients remains scarce. To fulfil the medical needs of...Parkinson's disease(PD) is one of the most debilitating brain diseases. Despite the availability of symptomatic treatments, response towards the health of PD patients remains scarce. To fulfil the medical needs of the PD patients, an efficacious and etiological treatment is required. In this review, we have compiled the information covering limitations of current therapeutic options in PD, novel drug targets for PD, and finally, the role of some critical beneficial natural products to control the progression of PD.展开更多
Stroke-induced immunosuppression is a process that leads to peripheral suppression of the immune system after a stroke and belongs to the central nervous system injury-induced immunosuppressive syndrome.Stroke-induced...Stroke-induced immunosuppression is a process that leads to peripheral suppression of the immune system after a stroke and belongs to the central nervous system injury-induced immunosuppressive syndrome.Stroke-induced immunosuppression leads to increased susceptibility to post-stroke infections,such as urinary tract infections and stroke-associated pneumonia,worsening prognosis.Molecular chaperones are a large class of proteins that are able to maintain proteostasis by directing the folding of nascent polypeptide chains,refolding misfolded proteins,and targeting misfolded proteins for degradation.Various molecular chaperones have been shown to play roles in stroke-induced immunosuppression by modulating the activity of other molecular chaperones,cochaperones,and their associated pathways.This review summarizes the role of molecular chaperones in stroke-induced immunosuppression and discusses new approaches to restore host immune defense after stroke.展开更多
基金supported by the Intramural Research Programs of the National Human Genome Research Institute and the National Institutes of Health
文摘Gaucher disease （GD） is a lysosomal storage disorder （LSD） affecting approximately 1 in 50,000 individuals in the general population. Mutations in both alleles of the GBA1 gene result in deficient glucocerebrosidase （GCase） activity, which in turn leads to the accumulation of glycolipid substrates and impaired lysosomal function. GD is a multisystern disorder with a vast spectrum of clinical phenotvpes,
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82002155 to T.S., and U21A20423 and 31670161 to X.Z.)
文摘RNA-remodeling proteins,including RNA helicases and chaperones,play vital roles in the remodeling of structured RNAs.During viral replication,viruses require RNA-remodeling proteins to facilitate proper folding and/or re-folding the viral RNA elements.Coxsackieviruses B3(CVB3)and Coxsackieviruses B5(CVB5),belonging to the genus Enterovirus in the family Picornaviridae,have been reported to cause various infectious diseases such as hand-foot-and-mouth disease,aseptic meningitis,and viral myocarditis.However,little is known about whether CVB3 and CVB5 encode any RNA remodeling proteins.In this study,we showed that 2C proteins of CVB3 and CVB5 contained the conserved SF3 helicase A,B,and C motifs,and functioned not only as RNA helicase that unwound RNA helix bidirectionally in an NTP-dependent manner,but also as RNA chaperone that remodeled structured RNAs and facilitated RNA strand annealing independently of NTP.In addition,we determined that the NTPase activity and RNA helicase activity of 2C proteins of CVB3 and CVB5 were dependent on the presence of divalent metallic ions.Our findings demonstrate that 2C proteins of CVBs possess RNA-remodeling activity and underline the functional importance of 2C protein in the life cycle of CVBs.
文摘Amyloid protein aggregation plays a major role in multiple neurodegenerative diseases and is likely the primary driving force for the progression of most of these diseases.Multiple recent studies have highlighted that the DNAJ homolog subfamily B member 6(DNAJB6)chaperone is particularly interesting,when it comes to preventing amyloidogenic proteins from aggregating.It has been shown that DNAJB6 can prevent the aggregation of polyglutamine-expanded proteins in models of Huntington’s disease.Likewise,it can suppress aggregation ofα-synuclein in models of Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies.Finally,it has been shown that DNAJB6 can block aggregation of multiple additional amyloid proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies as well.We believe there is yet much to learn about the protective role of DNAJB6 in the brain,but this focused review summarizes,what we know so far of this chaperone.It describes the biological role of DNAJB6 in the brain and its interaction with Hsp70,with particular emphasis on the studies that show its ability to prevent amyloid protein aggregation in vitro and in vivo.Moreover,recent work on dysregulation of the expression of DNAJB6 in brain clinical tissue is discussed.Finally,we discuss potential therapeutic perspectives as we believe this protein is a promising druggable target.
基金supported by:Fondazione Telethon-Italy(No.GGP19128 to AP)Fondazione Cariplo-Italy(No.2021-1544 to RC)+14 种基金Fondazione Italiana di Ricerca per la Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica(AriSLA)-Italy(No.MLOpathy to APTarget-RAN to AP)Association Française contre les Myopathies-France(AFM Telethon No.23236 to AP)Kennedy’s Disease Association-USA(2018 grant to RC2020 grant to MG)Ministero dell’Universitàe della Ricerca(MIUR)-Italy(PRIN-Progetti di ricerca di interesse nazionale(No.2017F2A2C5 to APNo.2022EFLFL8 to APNo.2020PBS5MJ to VCNo.2022KSJZF5 to VC)PRIN-Progetti di ricerca di interesse nazionale-bando 2022,PNRR finanziato dall’Unione europea-Next Generation EU,componente M4C2,investimento 1.1(No.P2022B5J32 to RC and No.P20225R4Y5 to VC)CN3:RNA-Codice Proposta:CN_00000041Tematica Sviluppo di terapia genica e farmaci con tecnologia a RNA(Centro Nazionale di Ricerca-CN3 National Center for Gene Therapy and Drugs based on RNA Technology to AP)Progetto Dipartimenti di Eccellenza(to DiSFeB)Ministero della Salute,Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco(AIFA)-Italy(Co_ALS to AP)Universitàdegli Studi di Milano(piano di sviluppo della ricerca(PSR)UNIMI-linea B(to RC and BT).
文摘Heat shock protein family B(small)member 8(HSPB8)is a 22 kDa ubiquitously expressed protein belonging to the family of small heat shock proteins.HSPB8 is involved in various cellular mechanisms mainly related to proteotoxic stress response and in other processes such as inflammation,cell division,and migration.HSPB8 binds misfolded clients to prevent their aggregation by assisting protein refolding or degradation through chaperone-assisted selective autophagy.In line with this function,the pro-degradative activity of HSPB8 has been found protective in several neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases characterized by protein misfolding and aggregation.In cancer,HSPB8 has a dual role being capable of exerting either a pro-or an anti-tumoral activity depending on the pathways and factors expressed by the model of cancer under investigation.Moreover,HSPB8 exerts a protective function in different diseases by modulating the inflammatory response,which characterizes not only neurodegenerative diseases,but also other chronic or acute conditions affecting the nervous system,such as multiple sclerosis and intracerebellar hemorrhage.Of note,HSPB8 modulation may represent a therapeutic approach in other neurological conditions that develop as a secondary consequence of other diseases.This is the case of cognitive impairment related to diabetes mellitus,in which HSPB8 exerts a protective activity by assuring mitochondrial homeostasis.This review aims to summarize the diverse and multiple functions of HSPB8 in different pathological conditions,focusing on the beneficial effects of its modulation.Drug-based and alternative therapeutic approaches targeting HSPB8 and its regulated pathways will be discussed,emphasizing how new strategies for cell and tissue-specific delivery represent an avenue to advance in disease treatments.
基金supported by Telethon Italy award GGP15225(to RC and GM)Italian Ministry of Health award RF-2016-02362950(to RC and CZ)+1 种基金the CJD Foundation USA(to RC)the Associazione Italiana Encefalopatie da Prioni(AIEnP)(to RC).
文摘PrPSc,a misfolded,aggregation-prone isoform of the cellular prion protein(PrPC),is the infectious prion agent responsible for fatal neurodegenerative diseases of humans and other mammals.PrPSccan adopt different pathogenic conformations(prion strains),which can be resistant to potential drugs,or acquire drug resistance,posing challenges for the development of effective therapies.Since PrPCis the obligate precursor of any prion strain and serves as the mediator of prion neurotoxicity,it represents an attractive therapeutic target fo r prion diseases.In this minireview,we briefly outline the approaches to target PrPCand discuss our recent identification of Zn(Ⅱ)-Bn PyP,a PrPC-targeting porphyrin with an unprecedented bimodal mechanism of action.We argue that in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanism by which Zn(Ⅱ)-Bn PyP targets PrPCmay lead toward the development of a new class of dual mechanism anti-prion compounds.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52273009 and 21674037).
文摘Insulin is an essential and versatile protein taking part in the control of blood glucose levels and protein anabolism.However,under prolonged storage or high temperature stress,insulin tends to unfold and aggregate into toxic amyloid fibrils,leading to loss of physiological function.Inspired by natural chaperones,a series of temperature-sensitive polycaprolactone-based micelles were designed to prevent insulin from deactivation.The micelles were fabricated through the self-assembly of amphiphilic copolymers of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(4-diethylformamide caprolactone-co-caprolactone)(mPEG_(17)-P(DECL-co-CL)),which had a regular spherical morphology with particle sizes of about 100 nm.In addition,the lower critical solution temperature(LCST)of the micelles could be tuned to 9 and 29℃by changing the ratio of DECL to CL.Benefiting from the temperature-sensitivity of DECL segment,the binding ability of micelles to insulin could be modulated by changing the temperature.Above LCST,micelles effectively inhibited insulin aggregation and protected it from thermal inactivation due to the strong binding ability between the hydrophobic segment DECL and insulin.Below LCST,DECL segment returned to hydrophilic and bound weakly with insulin,leading to the release of insulin and assisting in its recovery of secondary structure.Thus,these temperature-sensitive micelles provided an effective strategy for insulin protection.
文摘The Clp/Hsp100 family,part of the ATPase associated with various cellular activities(AAA+)superfamily,includes caseinolytic peptidase B(ClpB),a highly conserved protein found in bacteria,fungi,protozoa,and plants.Notably,ClpB is present in all ESKAPE pathogens:Enterococcus faecium,Staphylococcus aureus,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Acinetobacter baumannii,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Enterobacter spp.ClpB plays a crucial role in reactivating and disaggregating proteins,enabling pathogens to survive under host-induced stress and conferring thermotolerance to bacterial cells.Infections caused by ESKAPE pathogens are particularly challenging due to their resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics and biofilm formation,posing a significant global health threat as they are often multidrug-resistant,extensively drug-resistant,and pan-drug-resistant.Given its absence in human cells and its essential role in bacterial survival under stress,ClpB is a promising target for antimicrobial therapy.Targeting Hsp100 family proteins could lead to the development of novel antifungal and antiprotozoal treatments.This review explores the function of ClpB in the survival of ESKAPE pathogens and the protozoan Plasmodium falciparum.Relevant research findings were compiled using academic databases,and data analysis was performed using Clustal Omega Multiple Sequence Alignment and Boxshade tools.
基金the grants from the Department of Science and Technology of Jilin Province, China (No. 20070721)the Bureau of Science and Technology of Changchun, Jilin Province, China (No. 2007129).
文摘Objective To investigate the effect of ischemic preconditioning on chaperone hsp70 expression and protein aggregation in the CA1 neurons of rats, and to further explore its potential neuroprotective mechanism. Methods Two-vesseloccluded transient global ischemia rat model was used. The rats were divided into sublethal 3-min ischemia group, lethal 10- min ischemia group and ischemic preconditioning group. Neuronal death in the CA1 region was observed by hematoxylineosin staining, and number of live neurons was assessed by cell counting under a light microscope. Immunochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy were used to observe the distribution of chaperone hsp70 in the CA1 neurons. Differential centrifuge was used to isolate cytosol, nucleus and protein aggregates fractions. Western blot was used to analyze the quantitative alterations of protein aggregates and inducible chaperone hsp70 in cellular fractions and in protein aggregates under different ischemic conditions. Results Histological examination showed that ischemic preconditioning significantly reduced delayed neuronal death in the hippocampus CA1 region （P 〈 0.01 vs 10-min ischemia group）. Sublethal ischemic preconditioning induced chaperone hsp70 expression in the CA1 neurons after 24 h reperfusion following 10-min ischemia. Induced-hsp70 combined with the abnormal proteins produced during the secondary lethal 10-min ischemia and inhibited the formation of cytotoxic protein aggregates（P〈0.01 vs 10-min ischemia group）.Conelusion Ischemic preconditioning induced chaperone hsp70 expression and inhibited protein aggregates formation in the CA1 neurons when suffered secondary lethal ischemia, which may protect neurons from death.
文摘目的采用RNA干扰技术沉默CCS(copper chaperone for SOD1)基因,构建相关小干扰RNA(siRNA),探索出针对CCS的高效siRNA序列。方法合成用于人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)细胞中沉默CCS基因的siRNA。应用脂质体转染的方法在HUVEC细胞中对CCS基因进行RNA沉默。蛋白免疫印迹Western blotting检测沉默前后CCS蛋白表达变化的情况,甲基四唑蓝法MTT检测转染前后细胞活力。最后用单因素方差分析对数据进行统计学分析,以确定有效的siRNA序列。结果转染前后细胞形态无肉眼可见变化,转染后细胞活力分别为98.5%和98.8%。CCS蛋白沉默率分别为63.7%和61.4%。结论采用siCCS-2和siCCS-3序列转染条件对HUVEC细胞活力损伤小,CCS沉默效率高,实验条件稳定,重复性好。为我们继续研究沉默CCS后抑制血管内皮细胞的生长增殖、血管形成提供了稳定的实验基础。
文摘One of the most common lesions present in the spermatozoa of human infertility patients is an idiopathic failure of sperm-egg recognition. Although this unique cellular interaction can now be readily by-passed by assisted reproductive strategies such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI）, recent large-scale epidemiological studies have encouraged the cautious use of this technology and highlighted the need for further research into the mechanisms responsible for defective sperm-egg recognition. Previous work in this field has established that the sperm domains responsible for oocyte interaction are formed during spermatogenesis prior to being dynamically modified during epididymal maturation and capacitation in female reproductive tract. While the factors responsible for the regulation of these sequential maturational events are undoubtedly complex, emerging research has identified the molecular chaperone, heat shock protein A2 （HSPA2）, as a key regulator of these events in human spermatozoa. HSPA2 is a testis-enriched member of the 70 kDa heat shock protein family that promotes the folding, transport, and assembly of protein complexes and has been positively correlated with in vitro fertilization （IVF） success. Furthermore, reduced expression of HSPA2 from the human sperm proteome leads to an impaired capacity for cumulus matrix dispersal, sperm-egg recognition and fertilization following both IVF and ICSI. In this review, we consider the evidence supporting the role of HSPA2 in sperm function and explore the potential mechanisms by which it is depleted in the spermatozoa of infertile patients. Such information offers novel insights into the molecular mechanisms governing sperm function.
基金We thank Veder Garcia （University of California, Berkeley, USA） for critically reading the paper, Zengyong He for providing the AtFKBP53：：GUS transgenic line and Masami Horikoshi （The University of Tokyo, Japan） for the pET-6His-SpFkbp39P plasmid. This work was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and US Department of Energy （toSL）.
文摘Chromatin structure is important for controlling gene expression, but mechanisms underlying chromatin remodel- ing are not fully understood. Here we report that an FKBP （FK506 binding protein） type immunophilin, AtFKBP53, possesses histone chaperone activity and is required for repressing ribosomal gene expression in Arabidopsis. The At- FKBP53 protein is a multidomain FKBP with a typical peptidylprolyl isomerase （PPIase） domain and several highly charged domains. Using nucleosome assembly assays, we showed that AtFKBP53 has histone chaperone activity and the charged acidic domains are sufficient for the activity. We show that AtFKBP53 interacts with histone H3 through the acidic domains, whereas the PPIase domain is dispensable for histone chaperone activity or histone binding. Ri- bosomal RNA gene （18S rDNA） is overexpressed when AtFKBP53 activity is reduced or eliminated in Arabidopsis plants. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that AtFKBP53 is associated with the 18S rDNA gene chro- matin, implicating that AtFKBP53 represses rRNA genes at the chromatin level. This study identifies a new histone chaperone in plants that functions in chromatin remodeling and regulation of transcription.
基金support of the Carlsberg Foundation[grant no.2008-01-0451]
文摘Heat-shock proteins （HSPs） play an undisputed role for maintaining cellular functioning under environmental challenges and protein denaturing conditions. Compelling evidence points to an evolutionary important role of HSPs and a strict evolutionary control of these proteins as a balance between benefits and costs. While there is a great potential for using HSP expression for detecting natural adaptation and exposure to stress in natural populations, some obstacles and key issues await investigation. From an ecological perspective these key issues needs to be resolved in order to fully appreciate the complex responses and adaptations to stress and to increase our understanding of HSPs and other molecular chaperones for stress adaptation and potential use as biomarkers. Here, the current knowledge and understanding of HSPs is reviewed and a number of key issues including the interpretation of elevated HSP levels, the complications of extrapolating between laboratory and field conditions, the effects of choice of traits and methodology and the larger intra-and extracellular networks of interactions that HSPs participate in are discussed [Current Zoology 56 （6）： 703-713, 2010].
文摘Alcoholic liver disease （ALD） is a leading cause of liver disease and liver-related deaths globally, particularly in developed nations. Liver fibrosis is a consequence of ALD and other chronic liver insults, which can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma if left untreated. Liver fibrosis is characterized by accumulation of excess extracellular matrix components, including type I collagen, which disrupts liver microcirculation and leads to injury. To date, there is no therapy for the treatment of liver fibrosis; thus treatments that either prevent the accumulation of type I collagen or hasten its degradation are desirable. The focus of this review is to examine the regulation of type I collagen in fibrogenic cells of the liver and to discuss current advances in therapeutics to eliminate excessive collagen deposition.
文摘The hepatitis C virus(HCV) infects approximately 3% of the world population or more than 185 million people worldwide. Each year, an estimated 350000-500000 deaths occur worldwide due to HCV-associated diseases including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV is the most common indication for liver transplantation in patients with cirrhosis worldwide. HCV is an enveloped RNA virus classified in the genus Hepacivirus in the Flaviviridae family. The HCV viral life cycle in a cell can be divided into six phases:(1) binding and internalization;(2) cytoplasmic release and uncoating;(3) viral polyprotein translation and processing;(4) RNA genome replication;(5) encapsidation(packaging) and assembly; and(6) virus morphogenesis(maturation) and secretion. Many host factors are involved in the HCV life cycle. Chaperones are an important group of host cytoprotective molecules that coordinate numerous cellular processes including protein folding, multimeric protein assembly, protein trafficking, and protein degradation. All phases of the viral life cycle require chaperone activity and the interaction of viral proteins with chaperones. This review will present our current knowledge and understanding of the role of chaperones in the HCV life cycle. Analysis of chaperones in HCV infection will provide further insights into viral/host interactions and potential therapeutic targets for both HCV and other viruses.
基金supported by UGC Dr.D.S.Kothari Postdoctoral scheme by awarding the fellowship to SNR(Ref.No-F.4-2/2006(BSR)/BL/19-20/0032)。
文摘Parkinson's disease(PD) is one of the most debilitating brain diseases. Despite the availability of symptomatic treatments, response towards the health of PD patients remains scarce. To fulfil the medical needs of the PD patients, an efficacious and etiological treatment is required. In this review, we have compiled the information covering limitations of current therapeutic options in PD, novel drug targets for PD, and finally, the role of some critical beneficial natural products to control the progression of PD.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82172147(to YL),81571880(to YL),81373147(to YL),30901555(to JZ),30972870(to YL)the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province,Nos.2021JJ30900,2016JJ2157(both to YL)。
文摘Stroke-induced immunosuppression is a process that leads to peripheral suppression of the immune system after a stroke and belongs to the central nervous system injury-induced immunosuppressive syndrome.Stroke-induced immunosuppression leads to increased susceptibility to post-stroke infections,such as urinary tract infections and stroke-associated pneumonia,worsening prognosis.Molecular chaperones are a large class of proteins that are able to maintain proteostasis by directing the folding of nascent polypeptide chains,refolding misfolded proteins,and targeting misfolded proteins for degradation.Various molecular chaperones have been shown to play roles in stroke-induced immunosuppression by modulating the activity of other molecular chaperones,cochaperones,and their associated pathways.This review summarizes the role of molecular chaperones in stroke-induced immunosuppression and discusses new approaches to restore host immune defense after stroke.
