title: Heat shock gene-expression in HSP-70 and HSF1 gene-transfected human epidermoid A-431 cells.
abstract: Thermotolerant cells display attenuated heat shock protein 70 kD (HSP-70) gene expression and signal transduction such as intracellular Ca2+ concentration and inositol trisphosphate in response to sublethal heat. To further investigate the regulation of heat shock gene expression, we developed constructs containing human HSP-70 and HSF1 genes and transfected human epidermoid A-431 cells. These cells were chosen because skin cells are especially vulnerable to heat shock and other environmental stressors. We report that A431 cells can be successfully transfected with HSP-70 and HSF1 genes as shown by the elevated levels of respective message and protein. Overexpression of HSP-70 in cells transfected with HSP-70 gene led to a down-regulation of the HSF1 gene expression. Interestingly, transfection of cells with the HSF1 gene was not associated with increased expression of HSP-70. Exposure of HSF1 gene-transfected cells to heat resulted in a transient but significant increase in HSP-70 gene expression as compared to that found in vector-transfected cells, which was completely inhibited by treatment with staurosporine. In conclusion, we have demonstrated successful transfection of human A-431 cells with HSF1 and HSP-70 genes, where the regulation of their expression can be studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, DC 20307-5100, USA.
authors.forename: X Z
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Tsokos
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Smallridge
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Kiang
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000076249:Heat Shock Transcription Factors; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C000619706:HSF1 protein, human; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D000076249:Heat Shock Transcription Factors; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors