The Gene Search System: Its Application to Functional Genomics in Drosophila Melanogaster

In Drosophila melanogaster, gain-of-function mutagenesis utilizing the GAL4-UAS system has been established, allowing identification of genes that may not be easily detectable by loss-of-function screening approaches. The conditional features of misexpression systems are especially useful for studying late-stage biological processes, such as those involving adult behavior or lifespan. The gene search system, incorporating a bidirectional misexpression vector, was used to screen for genes critical for longevity determination. We have identified several genes whose misexpression in adulthood extends the fly's lifespan. Phenotypic characterization of fly lines carrying a misexpression vector, in conjunction with obtaining information about the genomic insertion sites, creates valuable resources for the systematic functional genomics in Drosophila.     

The gene search system: its application to functional genomics in Drosophila melanogaster

In Drosophila melanogaster, gain-of-function mutagenesis utilizing the GAL4-UAS system has been established, allowing identification of genes that may not be easily detectable by loss-of-function screening approaches. The conditional features of misexpression systems are especially useful for studying late-stage biological processes, such as those involving adult behavior or lifespan. The gene search system, incorporating a bidirectional misexpression vector, was used to screen for genes critical for longevity determination. We have identified several genes whose misexpression in adulthood extends the fly's lifespan. Phenotypic characterization of fly lines carrying a mis-expression vector, in conjunction with obtaining information about the genomic insertion sites, creates valuable resources for the systematic functional genomics in Drosophila.     

Phagocytosis and heat shock response in human monocytes-macrophages

The heat shock response represents a general physiological cellular reprogramming of gene expression secondary to exposure to multiple different stresses such as heat or oxygen free radicals. It is assumed that this response is turned on in order to protect cells, or to permit better recovery, from the detrimental effects of such stresses. During erythrophagocytosis, heat shock proteins and heme oxygenase synthesis are induced in human monocytes-macrophages. Whereas induction of heme oxygenase appears to be related to the hemoglobin-released iron, the factor(s) responsible for heat shock protein induction remain elusive. The respective roles of phagocytosis itself, oxygen free radicals, calcium, cytoskeletal alterations and oncogene expression are discussed.     

Bleomycin induces the hsp 70 heat shock promoter in cultured cells

Bleomycin-induced lung disease is characterized by cell injury followed by fibroblast proliferation. Cells respond to injury by synthesizing a family of heat shock proteins. These proteins are critical to cell survival, and those of the 70,000 MW group (hsp 70) are essential for cell division and proliferation. To evaluate the effect of bleomycin on heat shock gene expression, we transfected a gene construct containing the hsp 70 heat shock gene promoter into fibroblasts. Doses of bleomycin, which have previously been shown to augment lung fibroblast proliferation, induce the hsp 70 heat shock promoter in the transfected cells. Bleomycin did not induce the expression of a non-hsp promoter placed in cells as a control of nonspecific gene activation. These observations suggest that bleomycin exposure may cause significant alterations in important DNA promoter regions such as the hsp 70 promoter and point to new ways to assess bleomycin-induced changes in cells.     

Chlamydial Hsp60-2 is iron responsive in Chlamydia trachomatis serovar E-infected human endometrial epithelial cells in vitro

Chlamydial 60-kDa heat shock proteins (cHsp60s) are known to play a prominent role in the immunopathogenesis of disease. It is also known that several stress-inducing growth conditions, such as heat, iron deprivation, or exposure to gamma interferon, result in the development of persistent chlamydial forms that often exhibit enhanced expression of cHsp60. We have shown previously that the expression of cHsp60 is greatly enhanced in Chlamydia trachomatis serovar E propagated in an iron-deficient medium. The objective of this work was to determine which single cHsp60 or combination of the three cHsp60 homologs encoded by this organism responds to iron limitation. Using monospecific polyclonal peptide antisera that recognize only cHsp60-1, cHsp60-2, or cHsp60-3, we found that expression of cHsp60-2 is responsive to iron deprivation. Overall, our studies suggest that the expression of cHsp60 homologs differs among the mechanisms currently known to induce persistence.     

Induction of the heat shock response of E. coli through stabilization of sigma 32 by the phage lambda cIII protein

The cIII protein of phage lambda favors the lysogenic response to infection by inhibiting the degradation of the lambda cII protein, which exerts the primary control on the developmental decision for lysis or lysogeny. To study the mechanism and scope of cIII-mediated regulation, we have used plasmid systems to examine the specific effect of cIII overproduction on the growth of Escherichia coli and the synthesis of bacterial proteins. We have found that maximal production of cIII prolongs the heat-induced synthesis of E. coli heat shock proteins and provokes elevated production of heat shock proteins even at low temperature. The overproduction of heat shock proteins is correlated with a rapid inhibition of cell growth, as judged by measurements of optical density. We suggest that an overactive heat shock response inhibits bacterial growth, either because excessive production of one or more of the proteins is highly deleterious or because only heat shock promoters are transcribed efficiently. To examine the effect of cIII on sigma 32, the specificity factor for the heat shock response, we have studied the stability of sigma 32 in cells carrying both cIII- and sigma 32-producing plasmids; the half-life of sigma 32 is increased fourfold in the presence of cIII. We conclude that overproduction of cIII provokes the heat shock response by increasing the steady-state level of active sigma 32. These studies also support the concept that the rate of expression of heat shock proteins is directly correlated with the amount of active sigma 32 and that regulation of the stability of sigma 32 may be an important factor for control of the heat shock response.     

Heat Shock Proteins in Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury: A Perspective

There is much to suggest that the induction of heat shock protein synthesis is an important response to injury and stress in the brain. The role of heat shock proteins in neurological disease has been approached from two points-of-view. First, the induction and synthesis of specific proteins after brain cell injury provide a window through which insight on the regulation of gene expression in pathological tissue can be obtained. These studies have broad implications for understanding pathophysiological mechanisms of disease. Second, putative cell protective effects of heat shock proteins in brain tissue provide insight into biochemical mechanisms of selective neuronal vulnerability. These studies have extremely important clinical implications since cell sensitivity to injury can seemingly be modified. The role of heat shock proteins in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury is discussed forthwith.     

Redox regulation of mammalian heat shock factor 1 is essential for Hsp gene activation and protection from stress

The activation of eukaryotic heat shock protein (Hsp) gene expression occurs in response to a wide variety of cellular stresses including heat shock, hydrogen peroxide, uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation, infection, and inflammation. Biochemical and genetic studies have clearly demonstrated critical roles for mammalian heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) in stress-inducible Hsp gene expression, resistance to stress-induced programmed cell death, extra-embryonic development, and other biological functions. Activation of mammalian Hsp gene expression involves the stress-inducible conversion of HSF1 from the inactive monomer to the DNA-binding competent homotrimer. Although Hsp activation is a central conserved process in biology, the precise mechanisms for stress sensing and signaling to activate HSF1, and the mechanisms by which many distinct stresses activate HSF1, are poorly understood. In this report we demonstrate that recombinant mammalian HSF1 directly senses both heat and hydrogen peroxide to assemble into a homotrimer in a reversible and redox-regulated manner. The sensing of both stresses requires two cysteine residues within the HSF1 DNA-binding domain that are engaged in redox-sensitive disulfide bonds. HSF1 derivatives in which either or both cysteines were mutated are defective in stress-inducible trimerization and DNA binding, stress-inducible nuclear translocation and Hsp gene trans-activation, and in the protection of mouse cells from stress-induced apoptosis. This redox-dependent activation of HSF1 by heat and hydrogen peroxide establishes a common mechanism in the stress activation of Hsp gene expression by mammalian HSF1.     

K(ATP) channel openers, adenosine agonists and epileptic preconditioning are stress signals inducing hippocampal neuroprotection

Many models of induced ischemic and epileptic tolerance have now been described in the brain. Although detailed mechanisms underlying such protections still remain largely unknown, induction of heat shock proteins is amongst the endogenous responses believed to play an important role in cellular defense mechanisms. This study reveals that the development of epileptic tolerance also coincides with the induction of the 70,000 mol. wt heat shock protein expression within the time window of protection. Adenosine agonists or ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers have also been shown to exert strong neuroprotective effects when injected shortly prior to a severe ischemic or epileptic insult. The present work shows that adenosine receptor activation and ATP-sensitive potassium channel opening induce 70,000 mol. wt heat shock protein expression in the rat hippocampus and are able to mimic neuroprotection driven by preconditioning. R-phenylisopropyladenosine, a purine agonist, or (-)cromakalim, an ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, was administered three days prior to a lethal ischemic or epileptic episode to mimic preconditioning. Neurodegeneration was assessed using Cresyl Violet staining and cellular DNA fragmentation visualized by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling method. 70, 000 mol. wt heat shock protein expression was analysed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The results show a long-lasting neuroprotection induced by activation of adenosine receptors or ATP-sensitive K(+) channels as early as three days prior to induction of a severe ischemic or epileptic challenge. This protective effect is associated with enhanced 70,000 mol. wt heat shock protein expression also occurring three days following administration of R-phenylisopropyladenosine or (-)cromakalim.These findings support the idea that preconditioning doses of R-phenylisopropyladenosine and (-)cromakalim act as mild cellular stresses inducing neuroprotection in a manner similar to a mild kainate treatment prior to a lethal ischemic or severe epileptic insult three days later. They also suggest that a delayed 70,000 mol. wt heat shock protein expression induced by excitatory neuronal stresses such as short ischemia, mild kainic acid treatment or activation of adenosine receptors and ATP-sensitive potassium channels is predictive of neuronal survival against a subsequent lethal injury.     

热休克处理骨髓Sca-1+细胞移植治疗小鼠心肌梗死

背景：近年来的研究发现,干细胞可以直接定向分化为成熟心肌细胞或促进其再生,为心肌梗死治疗提供一种全新的治疗策略,但是细胞移植率低使其向心肌细胞分化和执行心肌修复能力下降。 目的：探讨热休克Sca-1+细胞在小鼠心肌梗死治疗中的作用。 方法：磁珠分选骨髓中Sca-1+细胞,对Sca-1+细胞进行热休克处理3 h。建立心肌梗死小鼠动物模型,将其随机分为2组,分别经尾静脉注入1 mL热休克Sca-1+细胞悬液、1 mL非热休克Sca-1+细胞悬液。移植后检测细胞存活率、小鼠心脏功能恢复情况、心肌细胞凋亡数目、心肌纤维化程度以及左心室HSF、HSP70及miR-34a表达。 结果与结论：①热休克Sca-1+细胞移植组小鼠心脏sry基因表达显著高于非热休克Sca-1+细胞移植组。②热休克Sca-1+细胞移植组小鼠射血分数及左心室短轴缩短率显著高于非热休克Sca-1+细胞移植组,左心室的舒张末期内径以及收缩末期内径显著低于非热休克Sca-1+细胞移植组。③热休克Sca-1+细胞移植组小鼠的心脏纤维化程度及心肌细胞凋亡均显著低于非热休克Sca-1+细胞移植组。④热休克Sca-1+细胞移植组小鼠左心室HSF和HSP70表达明显高于非热休克Sca-1+细胞移植组,miR-34a表达明显低于非热休克Sca-1+细胞移植组。结果表明热休克Sca-1+细胞移植能够减少心肌细胞凋亡和心肌梗死面积,改善心脏功能。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程      

A novel endotoxin-induced pathway: upregulation of heme oxygenase 1, accumulation of free iron, and free iron-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction

Mitochondria are involved in the development of organ failure in critical care diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction are not clear yet. Inducible hemoxygenase (HO-1), a member of the heat shock protein family, is upregulated in critical care diseases and considered to confer cytoprotection against oxidative stress. However, one of the products of HO-1 is Fe2+ which multiplies the damaging potential of reactive oxygen species catalyzing Fenton reaction. The aim of this study was to clarify the relevance of free iron metabolism to the oxidative damage of the liver in endotoxic shock and its impact on mitochondrial function. Endotoxic shock in rats was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose of 8 mg/kg (i.v.). We observed that the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha and the liver necrosis marker aspartate aminotransferase were increased in blood, confirming inflammatory response to LPS and damage to liver tissue, respectively. The levels of free iron in the liver were significantly increased at 4 and 8 h after onset of endotoxic shock, which did not coincide with the decrease of transferrin iron levels in the blood, but rather with expression of the inducible form of heme oxygenase (HO-1). The proteins important for sequestering free iron (ferritin) and the export of iron out of the cells (ferroportin) were downregulated facilitating the accumulation of free iron in cells. The temporarily increased concentration of free iron in the liver correlated with the temporary impairment of both mitochondrial function and tissue ATP levels. Addition of exogenous iron ions to mitochondria isolated from control animals resulted in an impairment of mitochondrial respiration similar to that observed in endotoxic shock in vivo. Our data suggest that free iron released by HO-1 causes mitochondrial dysfunction in pathological situations accompanied by endotoxic shock.