anti-HSP90 Antibody Research Articles

Cellular localization of a Hsp90 homologue in Porphyromonas gingivalis.

We previously reported an association between elevated serum antibody titers to the 90-kDa human heat shock protein (Hsp90), periodontal health and colonization by Porphyromonas gingivalis. In this study, we examined the cellular localization of the Hsp90 homologue of P. gingivalis. Cultures of P. gingivalis were heat-stressed (45 degrees C) and examined for localization of the Hsp90 homologue. Heat stress induced a 4-5-fold increase in anti-Hsp90 antibody reactivity over that of the unstressed controls. Western blot analysis revealed two bands (44 and 68 kDa) that reacted with anti-Hsp90 antibodies. The 68-kDa band was heat-inducible, while the 44-kDa band was not. Immunogold staining revealed that the Hsp90 homologue localized principally to the membrane and extracellular vesicles. Subcellular fractionation confirmed that the Hsp90 homologue was primarily membrane-associated.

Cellular localization of a Hsp90 homologue in Porphyromonas gingivalis

We previously reported an association between elevated serum antibody titers to the 90-kDa human heat shock protein (Hsp90), periodontal health and colonization by Porphyromonas gingivalis. In this study, we examined the cellular localization of the Hsp90 homologue of P. gingivalis. Cultures of P. gingivalis were heat-stressed (45°C) and examined for localization of the Hsp90 homologue. Heat stress induced a 4–5-fold increase in anti-Hsp90 antibody reactivity over that of the unstressed controls. Western blot analysis revealed two bands (44 and 68 kDa) that reacted with anti-Hsp90 antibodies. The 68-kDa band was heat-inducible, while the 44-kDa band was not. Immunogold staining revealed that the Hsp90 homologue localized principally to the membrane and extracellular vesicles. Subcellular fractionation confirmed that the Hsp90 homologue was primarily membrane-associated.

A novel chaperone-activity-reducing mechanism of the 90-kDa molecular chaperone HSP90

The 90-kDa heat shock protein (HSP90) acts as a specific molecular chaperone in the folding and regulates a wide range of associated proteins such as steroid hormone receptors. It is known that HSP90 possesses two different chaperone sites, both in the N- and C-domains, and that the chaperone activity of HSP90 is blocked by binding of geldanamycin (GA) to the N-domain, the same as the ATP-binding site. Here we show that Cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II), CDDP], an antineoplastic agent, associates with HSP90 and reduces its chaperone activity. In order to analyse the binding proteins, bovine brain cytosols were applied to a CDDP-affinity column and binding proteins were eluted by CDDP. In the elutants, only 90-kDa protein bands were detected on SDS/PAGE, and the protein was cross-reacted with the anti-HSP90 antibody on immunoblotting. No protein bands were detected in the elutants from the control column on SDS/PAGE. These results indicated that CDDP has a high affinity for HSP90. On CD spectrum analysis, the binding of CDDP to HSP90 resulted in a conformational change in the protein. Although HSP90 inhibited the aggregation of citrate synthase as a molecular chaperone in vitro, the activity was suppressed almost completely in the presence of CDDP. Mg/ATP has an influence on the chaperone activity to some extent. The CDDP binding region of HSP90 is near the C-terminal which is quite different from the GA-binding site. Our results suggest that the chaperone activity of HSP90 may be inhibited by the binding of CDDP or GA by different mechanisms.

Elevation of IL-6 in Transgenic Mice Results in Increased Levels of the 90 kDa Heat Shock Protein (hsp90) and the Production of Anti-hsp90 Antibodies

Treatment of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL)in vitrowith the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) induces increased levels of the 90kDa heat shock protein (hsp90). Hsp90 levels are also elevated in PBLs of human patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in MRL/lpr mice with autoimmune disease. Although IL-6 is elevated in both these situations it has not been shown that it is involved in stimulating elevation of hsp90 levelsin vivo. Here we show directly that the elevation of IL-6in vivoeither in mice transgenic for the IL-6 gene or in knock-out mice lacking a functional gene for the transcription factor C/EBPβ (NF-IL-6) does indeed result in elevated hsp90 levels. This overexpression is associated with the specific production of autoantibodies to hsp90 in these mice which is also observed in SLE patients and MRL/lpr mice. Hence IL-6 is likely to play a critical role in the regulation of hsp90 levels both in autoimmune disease states and potentially in normal cellsin vivo. In turn the elevated levels of hsp90 produced in autoimmune diseases are likely to be responsible for the observed production of anti-hsp90 autoantibodies.

Active Participation of Hsp90 in the Biogenesis of the Trimeric Reovirus Cell Attachment Protein ς1

The reovirus cell attachment protein, sigma1, is a lollipop-shaped homotrimer with an N-terminal fibrous tail and a C-terminal globular head. Biogenesis of this protein involves two trimerization events: N-terminal trimerization, which occurs cotranslationally and is Hsp70/ATP-independent, and C-terminal trimerization, which occurs posttranslationally and is Hsp70/ATP-dependent. To determine if Hsp90 also plays a role in sigma1 biogenesis, we analyzed sigma1 synthesized in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Coprecipitation experiments using anti-Hsp90 antibodies revealed that Hsp90 was associated with immature sigma1 trimers (hydra-like intermediates with assembled N termini and unassembled C termini) but not with mature trimers. The use of truncated sigma1 further demonstrated that only the C-terminal half of sigma1 associated with Hsp90. In the presence of the Hsp90 binding drug geldanamycin, N-terminal trimerization proceeded normally, but C-terminal trimerization was blocked. Geldanamycin did not inhibit the association of Hsp90 with sigma 1 but prevented the subsequent release of Hsp90 from the immature sigma1 complex. We also examined the status of p23, an Hsp90-associated cochaperone. Like Hsp90, p23 only associated with immature sigma1 trimers, and this association was mapped to the C-terminal half of sigma1. However, unlike Hsp90, p23 was released from the sigma1 complex upon the addition of geldanamycin. These results highlight an all-or-none concept of chaperone involvement in different oligomerization domains within a single protein and suggest a possible common usage of chaperones in the regulation of general protein folding and of steroid receptor activation.

Involvement of Heat Shock Protein 90 in the Degradation of Mutant Insulin Receptors by the Proteasome

We previously reported three families with type A insulin-resistant syndrome who had mutations, either Asp1179 or Leu1193, in the kinase domain of the insulin receptor. The extreme insulin resistance of these patients was found to be caused by the decreased number of insulin receptors on the cell surface, due to the intracellular rapid degradation (Imamura, T., Takata, Y., Sasaoka, T., Takada, Y., Morioka, H., Haruta, T., Sawa, T., Iwanishi, M., Yang, G. H., Suzuki, Y., Hamada, J., and Kobayashi, M. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 31019-31027). In the present study, we first examined whether these mutations caused rapid degradation of unprocessed proreceptors, using the exon 13 deleted mutant insulin receptors (DeltaEx13-IR), which were accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum as unprocessed proreceptors. The addition of Asp1179 or Leu1193 mutation to DeltaEx13-IR caused accelerated degradation of the unprocessed DeltaEx13-IR in the transfected COS-7 cells. Next, we tested whether these mutant receptors were degraded by the proteasome. Treatment with proteasome inhibitors Z-Leu-Leu-Nva-H (MG-115) or Z-Leu-Leu-Leu-H (MG-132) prevented the accelerated degradation of these mutant receptors, resulting in increased amounts of the mutant receptors in the COS-7 cells. Essentially the same results were obtained in the patient's transformed lymphocytes. Finally, we found that these mutant receptors bound to heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). To determine whether Hsp90 played an important role in the accelerated receptor degradation, we examined the effect of anti-Hsp90 antibody on the mutant receptor degradation. The microinjection of anti-Hsp90 antibody into cells prevented the accelerated degradation of both Asp1179 and Leu1193 mutant insulin receptors. Taken together, these results suggest that Hsp90 is involved in dislocation of the mutant insulin receptors out of the endoplasmic reticulum into the cytosol, where the mutant receptors are degraded by the proteasome.

Domain Structures and Immunogenic Regions of the 90-kDa Heat-shock Protein (HSP90): PROBING WITH A LIBRARY OF ANTI-HSP90 MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AND LIMITED PROTEOLYSIS

Domain structures of the 90-kDa heat-shock protein (HSP90) have been investigated with a library of anti-HSP90 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and by limited proteolysis with trypsin and chymotrypsin. Thirty-three mAbs were obtained by immunization with bacterially expressed human HSP90alpha and HSP90beta isoforms. Among them, ten and three mAbs reacted specifically with HSP90alpha and HSP90beta, respectively. Immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent analyses revealed that major immunogenic domains were located at two restricted regions of HSP90alpha, i.e. amino acids 227-310 (designated Region I) and 702-716 (Region II), corresponding to a highly charged region and a region near the C terminus, respectively. Taken together with the characteristics of the amino acid sequences, these two immunogenic regions appeared to be exposed at the outer surface of HSP90. We further investigated the domain structures of HSP90 by limited proteolysis in combination with N-terminal sequencing and immunoblotting analyses. Tryptic cleavages of HSP90alpha at low concentrations revealed the existence of major susceptible sites at Arg400-Glu401, Lys615-Ala616, and Arg620-Asp621. Proteolysis at higher trypsin concentrations caused successive cleavages only toward the N-terminal direction from these sites, and Region I was included in the region selectively deleted during this process, thereby further suggesting its surface location. From these results, we propose three domain structures of HSP90 consisting of amino acids 1-400, 401-615, and 621-732. Differences in the protease sensitivity and immunogenicity further suggest that every domain is composed of two subdomains. This is the first study describing the domain structures and the immunogenic regions of HSP90.

An HSP60-63 homologue is constitutively expressed in infective larvae ofTrichinella spiralis

Western-blot analysis of Trichinella spiralis proteins were carried out with anti-HSP60-63 and anti-HSP90 antibodies. These experiments showed the presence of an homologue of HSP60-63 but no HSP90 homologue could be identified. Image analysis showed that HSP60-63 represented approximatively 4% of the Thichinella proteic preparation. Immunofluorescence analysis on cryosections of infected muscles showed the presence of HSP60-63 throughout the body wall (except in the cuticle) and in digestive structures. On some sections, patches of fluorescence could be seen on the inner surface of the nurse cell membrane. In addition, the western-blot analysis of sera from two patients − out of 10 tested − showed antibodies against HSP60-63 recombinant proteins.

Hsp90 Is Obligatory for the Heme-regulated eIF-2α Kinase to Acquire and Maintain an Activable Conformation

The heme-regulated eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha (eIF-2alpha) kinase (HRI) interacts with hsp90 in situ in rabbit reticulocyte lysate (RRL). In this report, we have examined the role of hsp90 in the maturation of newly synthesized HRI in both hemin-supplemented and heme-deficient RRL. Analysis of translating polyribosomes indicated that hsp90 interacts with nascent HRI cotranslationally. Coimmunoadsorption of HRI with hsp90 by the 8D3 anti-hsp90 antibody indicated that this interaction persisted after release of newly synthesized HRI from ribosomes. Incubation of HRI in heme-deficient lysate resulted in the transformation of a portion of the HRI polypeptides into an active heme-regulatable eIF-2alpha kinase that exhibited slower electrophoretic mobility. Transformation of HRI was dependent on autophosphorylation, and transformed HRI was resistant to aggregation induced by treatment of RRL with N-ethylmaleimide. Transformed HRI did not coimmunoadsorb with hsp90, and regulation of the activity of transformed HRI by hemin was not hsp90-dependent. The hsp90 binding drug geldanamycin disrupted the interaction of hsp90 with HRI and inhibited the maturation of HRI into a form that was competent to undergo autophosphorylation. Additionally geldanamycin inhibited the transformation of HRI into a stable heme-regulatable kinase. These results indicate that hsp90 plays an obligatory role in HRI acquiring and maintaining a conformation that is competent to become transformed into an aggregation-resistant activable kinase.

Delayed Glucocorticoid-Dependent Development of the Insulin Response after Heat Shock in Cultured Fetal Hepatocytes: Correlation with a Transient Defect in Glucocorticoid Receptor Binding Property

The effects of a mild heat shock were investigated on glucocorticoid-induced maturation of the insulin glycogenic response and on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in cultured 15-day-old fetal rat hepatocytes. In all experiments, cell heating at 42.5°C from 30 to 90 min was applied at Day 1 of culture before exposure to glucocorticoids. In never heated cells, the insulin stimulation of glycogenesis, measured by [14C]glucose incorporation into glycogen for 3 h, developed to be maximal after 32 h in the presence of 100 nMdexamethasone (2.4-fold). In cells preheated at 42.5°C for times equal to or greater than 60 min before being returned to 37°C in dexamethasone-containing medium, the insulin response was not seen after 32 h (1.3-fold versus 2.4-fold) but was clearly expressed after 48 h. Heat treatment induced a progressive decrease in intact cell GR binding, reaching 40% after 1 h. When cells were returned to 37°C, GR binding following a lag time of 8 h increased up to complete restoration after 24 h. Such heat shock-induced variations affected the number of GR binding sites with little change in GR binding affinity, while no modifications were seen in the 97-kDa GR level from whole cell extracts as revealed by Western immunoblotting using an anti-GR antibody (BuGR2). [35S]Methionine metabolic labeling showed a reversible heat-stimulated synthesis of 70- and 90-kDa heat shock proteins (Hsps). Variations in Hsp90 level revealed by Western immunoblotting using an anti-Hsp90 antibody (AC88) were inversely correlated with time with GR binding. Therefore, a mild heat shock applied to cultured fetal hepatocytes led to a delayed development of the glycogenic response to insulin linked to a defect in GR binding property with no alteration in the GR protein level.

Heat shock (stress) proteins and γδ T lymphocytes in oral lichen planus

Heat shock proteins (Hsps), a highly conserved class of protective cellular proteins that are produced under various conditions of environmental challenge, have been implicated as the antigenic stimulus in autoimmune diseases. Because lichen planus (LP) appears to be an autoimmune or hyperimmune condition (mediated by T cells), Hsps may have a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. We believe that if keratinocyte Hsps are antigenic targets of a cellular immune response, upregulation of these proteins should be demonstrable in tissue sections. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate expression of several families of Hsps in oral lichen planus tissues. The number and distribution of gamma delta T cells, a subset of T lymphocytes with an immune surveillance function that may contribute to autoimmunity, were also evaluated. Monoclonal antibodies to Hsps 27, 60, 70, 90, gamma delta receptor, and CD3 (pan-T lymphocyte marker) were incubated with frozen sections of LP (n = 22) and normal oral mucosa (n = 17) followed by an avidin-biotin-peroxidase labeling method. Antibodies to bacterial Hsps (GroEL and DnaK) were used as negative controls, and antibody to constitutive eukaryotic Hsp (Hsc70) was used as a positive control. In six cases of LP, basal keratinocytes stained intensely for Hsp27, whereas controls showed only slight staining. Otherwise LP and normal tissues showed comparable positive staining of upper level keratinocytes with anti-Hsp27. Subjective increases in antibody staining were noted for Hsp60 in LP, which was due in part to staining of infiltrating lymphocytes and in part to keratinocyte expression. Normal tissues showed weak basal cell antibody staining for Hsp60. Hsp70 staining was observed at a less intense level in LP than in controls. Except for more intense basement membrane staining with anti-Hsp90 antibody in gingiva and palate, no differences in the occurrence of this protein were found. Absolute numbers of gamma delta T cells were increased in LP when compared with those in control specimens (n = 10 vs n = 1, respectively, per high-power field). However, gamma delta T cells represented less than 1% of the CD3+ lymphocytes. It was concluded that normal oral mucosa expresses Hsps 27, 60, 70, and 90 and contains few gamma delta T cells. Although the expression of Hsps was altered in LP, the differences demonstrated were slight and were therefore inconclusive. The Hsps expressed in LP could have contributed to the persistence or chronicity of the disease, or they could have simply reflected cellular injury.

Immunocytochemical observation of the 90 KD heat shock protein (HSP90): high expression in primordial and pre-meiotic germ cells of male and female rat gonads.

We used immunocytochemistry to detect the 90 KD major heat shock protein (HSP90), a potential regulator of gene expression, during male and female rat gonad development. In the Day 13.0 post-coital (dpc) fetal gonad, strong immunoreactivity to anti-HSP90 antibody was shown in the cytoplasm of primordial germ cells (PGCs). Other somatic cells in the gonad showed only faint reactivity. During testicular development, strong immunostaining was observed in the cytoplasm of embryonic germ cells and in spermatogonia and spermatocytes of the pre-pubertal testis. In adult testis reactivity of spermatogonia and pachytene spermatocytes was strong but reactivity of post-meiotic spermatogenic cells, i.e., secondary spermatocytes and spermatids, was extremely reduced. During ovarian development, immunostaining was also observed in the oogonia and the oocytes of pre-pubertal ovary. However, the staining of oocytes was reduced with the development of primordial follicles during the first week after birth. This study revealed that HSP90 is highly expressed in PGCs and continues to be expressed in both male and female pre-meiotic germ cells. The HSP90 accumulation may be essential for both male and female mammalian pre-meiotic germ cells.

Subunit composition of the heteromeric cytosolic aryl hydrocarbon receptor complex.

In a previous cross-linking study we have shown that the cytosolic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) complex has a heterotetrameric structure (Perdew, G. H. (1992) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 182, 55-62). In this report, both cross-linked and [35S]methionine-labeled Hepa 1c1c7 cytosol were used to characterize the subunit composition of the AhR complex by immunoprecipitation with an AhR polyclonal antibody followed by immunochemical analysis using antibodies against the AhR and 90-kDa heat shock protein (hsp90). Results indicated that the four subunits found in cross-linking experiments were composed of three species: the AhR ligand binding subunit, hsp90, and an unknown 43-kDa protein. The stoichiometry of hsp90 present in each AhR complex was determined in two separate experiments: 1) from cross-linking experiments, stoichiometry was determined by quantitative immunoblotting with anti-AhR and anti-hsp90 antibodies followed by quantitation with 125I-counterantibody on protein blots; 2) using 35S-labeled Hepa 1 cytosol, the hsp90/AhR stoichiometry was determined by immunopurifying receptor complexes, and the amount of 35S-labeled AhR and hsp90 was assessed. The stoichiometry values obtained were 2.4 and 1.72 mol of hsp90/mol of AhR using each experimental approach, respectively.

Association of the βγ Subunits of Trimeric GTP-Binding Proteins with 90-kDa Heat Shock Protein, hsp901

GTP-binding proteins (G proteins), predominantly located at the inner surface of the plasma membranes of mammalian cells, dissociate into their constituent alpha and beta gamma subunits upon stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors by agonists. In the present studies, cytoplasmic proteins which might have an affinity for the dissociated beta gamma subunits were investigated by means of beta gamma subunit-immobilized affinity-column (beta gamma-immobilized column) chromatography. When soluble fractions obtained from various materials including rat liver, bovine brain, and HL-60 cells were applied to a beta gamma-immobilized column, some proteins were specifically eluted from the column with high-salt and detergent-containing solutions. One of the beta gamma subunit-binding proteins, of which the molecular weight was approximately 93,000 on SDS-PAGE, appeared to be commonly present in all tissues tested. The 93-kDa beta gamma-binding protein was identified as 90-kDa heat shock protein, hsp90, based on the findings of its partial amino acid sequences and its immunoreactivity to a monoclonal anti-hsp90 antibody. The brain hsp90 inhibited beta gamma-supported pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of alpha subunits. The hsp90 was also capable of binding to beta gamma subunits which had been reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles. The binding of hsp90 to beta gamma subunits was inhibited by the addition of GDP-bound alpha subunits, but not by GTP gamma S-bound ones. These results suggested that hsp90 could associate functionally with free beta gamma subunits dissociated from trimeric G proteins in vitro.

Localization of HSP90 in rat brain

1. 1. In rats, HSP90 (90-kDa heat shock protein) was abundant in the brain compared with the liver and kidney. Immunohistochemical studies showed the presence of HSP90 in almost all neurons in the brain. 2. 2. On immunoblotting using an anti-HSP90 antibody, HSP90 was present in a lower amount in the medulla oblongata and spinal cord. 3. 3. In the pituitary gland, some of superficial cells of the anterior lobe adjacent to the middle lobe was specifically stained with anti-HSP90 antibody.

Heat shock protein HSP90 and its association with the cytoskeleton: a morphological study.

To investigate the cellular localization of the 90-kilodalton heat shock protein (HSP90) and its interaction with the cytoskeleton, we performed single- and double-staining immunofluorescence microscopy of cytoskeletal proteins and HSP90 in the absence and presence of cytoskeletal inhibitors. As a model, we used a human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line (Ishikawa cells), which expresses HSP90. We confirmed the recently reported colocalization of HSP90 with microtubules. However, Ishikawa cells treated with 10(-5) M of the antimicrotubule agents colchicine or triethyl lead showed residual filamentous structures stained with anti-HSP90 antibodies, while no microtubules were visualized with anti-tubulin antibodies. In the presence of 10(-5) M cytochalasin B, the microfilament staining of the cells disappeared, while residual filamentous structures were labeled with anti-HSP90 antibodies. Furthermore, Ishikawa cells treated with 10(-5) M triethyl lead and stained with anti-HSP90 antibodies demonstrated residual filamentous structures, clearly different from those of reorganized vimentin intermediate filaments. Conversely, similar reorganized morphology of filamentous structures stained with both anti-HSP90 and anti-cytokeratins antibodies were observed when Ishikawa cells were treated with 2 x 10(-5) M cytochalasin B and 2 x 10(-5) M colchicine. HSP90 was also present in Ishikawa cell preparations of the Triton X-100 insoluble cytoskeleton. In addition, Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton treated with 10(-5). M triethyl lead and double stained with anti-HSP90 and anti-vimentin antibodies demonstrated clearly different filamentous patterns, when exposed on the same photographic plaque.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Growth stimulating activity of heat shock protein 90α to lymphoid cell lines in serum-free medium

A growth stimulating factor was purified from the culture supernatant of human-human hybridoma SH-76 cells in serum-free RPMI 1640 medium by the serial use of DEAE anion and heparin affinity chromatographies. The factor was a 85 kDa protein on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. N-terminal amino acid sequence (PEETQTQDQPME) of the protein was coincident with that of heat shock protein 90 alpha (HSP90 alpha). The protein reacted with anti-HSP90 monoclonal antibody. These results suggest that the protein was a member of HSP90 alpha family after taking other circumstantial evidence into account. The protein stimulated the growth of some lymphoid cell lines such as human B-lymphoblastoid cell line HO-323-3 hybridomas derived from HO-323, and several other lymphoid cell lines. There were several lymphoid cell lines which did not respond to the protein. Growth stimulating activity of the protein was heat-unstable and significantly decreased at above 60 degrees C. These are the first data that describe growth-stimulating activity of heat shock protein 90 alpha.

The 90-kDa heat shock protein, HSP90, binds and protects casein kinase II from self-aggregation and enhances its kinase activity.

We found that a preparation of the 90-kDa heat shock protein, HSP90, purified to apparent homogeneity, contains a serine/threonine kinase which phosphorylates HSP90. The protein kinase was identified as casein kinase II (CKII) according to its properties. The protein kinase was separable from HSP90 by adsorption to heparin-Sepharose or phosphocellulose. CKII was coimmunoprecipitated with HSP90 by anti-HSP90 antibodies from cell extracts. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation analysis revealed that an addition of anti-HSP90 antibodies to cell extracts induces a shift of the sedimentation peak of CKII toward the bottom of a centrifuge tube. These results suggest that CKII is associated with HSP90 in cell lysates at low salt conditions. Furthermore, the CKII.HSP90 complex was reconstituted from purified HSP90-free CKII and CKII-free HSP90. In a buffer at low ionic strength, CKII forms large aggregates, but HSP90 dissociates the aggregates. Finally, we found that HSP90 activates CKII; an addition of HSP90 to CKII dramatically increased phosphorylation of exogenous substrates as well as the CKII beta subunit. Taken altogether, these observations suggest that CKII is structurally and functionally active when it forms a complex with HSP90.

Estrogenic regulation of heat shock protein 90 kDa in the rat ventromedial hypothalamus and uterus

The regulation of heat shock protein 90 kDa (hsp90) by estradiol was analyzed in the rat ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and uterus by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis/Western blots. Protein from VMH and uterus (35 μg/sample) was resolved on 8% acrylamide gels, transferred to polyvinyldifluoride filters, and processed for immunoblotting using an anti-hsp90 antibody. Hsp90-specific bands were visualized on film using enhanced chemiluminescence and quantitated using a laser scanning densitometer. Hsp90 protein levels were significantly elevated in VMH at 12 h ( p < 0.01), and in uterus at 18 h ( p < 0.05) following estradiol injection (10 μg, s.c.). Immunocytochemical analysis for hsp90 localization by cell types showed that, in brain, hsp90 immunoreactivity was primarily neuronal. In the uterus, hsp90 immunoreactivity was most evident following treatment with estradiol, and was found primarily in the glandular epithelia; staining was less prominent in myometrium, stroma, and in the luminal epithelium. Thus, increased hsp90 levels may mediate some cellular responses to estrogen in specific cell types in both uterus and brain.

A novel testis‐specific 105‐kDa protein related to the 90‐kDa heat‐shock protein

Brain 90- and 100-kDa heat-shock proteins (HSP90 and HSP100) were purified and antibodies against them prepared. The two antibodies were very specific and did not cross-react with each other. In rat, immunoblotting with the anti-HSP90 antibody showed the most abundant presence of HSP90 in testis as well as brain, compared with lung, liver, spleen, kidney, cardiac muscle, ovarium and uterus. The anti-HSP90 antibody showed the presence of a new 105-kDa protein in rat testis. This novel 105-kDa protein was also detected in brain at a very low concentration but not in HeLa cells or other organs including the uterus and ovarium. The testis 105-kDa protein was purified from rat testis; although it was clearly separable from HSP90 by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, Q-Sepharose and hydroxyapatite column chromatographies, the properties of this protein were very similar to HSP90. The similarity was higher than 60% on peptide mapping with trypsin digestion, the 105-kDa protein cross-reacted with anti-HSP90 antibody, both were bound similarly to heparin-Sepharose gel and both are located in the cytosol fraction. When the 105-kDa protein was fractionated by HPLC, a molecular mass of 195 kDa was calculated, indicating that it is composed of two identical subunits, similarly to HSP90. The 105-kDa protein did not react with the anti-HSP100 antibody. There was a slight similarity between the 105-kDa protein and HSP100 on the peptide mapping. HSP100 was present in the microsomal fraction as well as in the cytosol. It is concluded that the 105-kDa protein is a testis-specific and HSP90-related protein.