Morgana/CHP-1 is a novel chaperone able to protect cells from stress.
Morgana/CHP-1 (CHORD containing protein-1) has been recently shown to be necessary for proper cell divisions. However, the presence of the protein in postmitotic tissues such as brain and striated muscle suggests that morgana/CHP-1 has additional cellular functions. Here we show that morgana/CHP-1 behaves like an HSP90 co-chaperone and possesses an independent molecular chaperone activity towards denatured proteins. The expression time profile of morgana/Chp-1 in NIH3T3 cells in response to heat stress is similar to that of Hsp70, a classical effector of Heat Shock Factor-1 mediated stress response. Moreover, overexpression of morgana/CHP-1 in NIH3T3 cells leads to the increased stress resistance of the cells. Interestingly, morgana/Chp-1 upregulation in response to transient global brain ischemia lasts longer in ischemia-resistant regions of the gerbil hippocampus than in vulnerable ones, suggesting the involvement of morgana/CHP-1 in natural protective mechanisms in vivo.
Michowski
Wojciech
W
International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology; ul. Ks. Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland. Wojciech_Michowski@dfci.harvard.edu
Ferretti
Roberta
R
Wisniewska
Marta B
MB
Ambrozkiewicz
Mateusz
M
Beresewicz
Malgorzata
M
Fusella
Federica
F
Skibinska-Kijek
Anna
A
Zablocka
Barbara
B
Brancaccio
Mara
M
Tarone
Guido
G
Kuznicki
Jacek
J
D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002477:Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000235:genetics*; D005849:Gerbillinae; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018869:Heat-Shock Response / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D051379:Mice; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C478383:Chp-1 protein, mouse; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones