PATRIC: the VBI PathoSystems Resource Integration Center.

The PathoSystems Resource Integration Center (PATRIC) is one of eight Bioinformatics Resource Centers (BRCs) funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases (NIAID) to create a data and analysis resource for selected NIAID priority pathogens, specifically proteobacteria of the genera Brucella, Rickettsia and Coxiella, and corona-, calici- and lyssaviruses and viruses associated with hepatitis A and E. The goal of the project is to provide a comprehensive bioinformatics resource for these pathogens, including consistently annotated genome, proteome and metabolic pathway data to facilitate research into counter-measures, including drugs, vaccines and diagnostics. The project's curation strategy has three prongs: 'breadth first' beginning with whole-genome and proteome curation using standardized protocols, a 'targeted' approach addressing the specific needs of researchers and an integrative strategy to leverage high-throughput experimental data (e.g. microarrays, proteomics) and literature. The PATRIC infrastructure consists of a relational database, analytical pipelines and a website which supports browsing, querying, data visualization and the ability to download raw and curated data in standard formats. At present, the site warehouses complete sequences for 17 bacterial and 332 viral genomes. The PATRIC website (https://patric.vbi.vt.edu) will continually grow with the addition of data, analysis and functionality over the course of the project.

Biochemical and genetic analyses of the Tec kinases Itk and Rlk/Txk.

The Tec kinases have been implicated as important components of signalling pathways downstream of lymphocyte antigen receptors. Activation of these kinases requires two steps: (i) phosphorylation by Src family kinases and (ii) plasma membrane localization, which is mediated by interaction between the pleckstrin homology (PH) domains of Tec kinases and the products of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI-3K). Itk and Rlk/Txk are Tec kinases expressed in T-lymphocytes. Despite similarity to other Tec kinases, Rlk/Txk lacks a PH domain and instead possesses a palmitoylated cysteine-string motif. We have found that both Rlk/Txk and Itk are phosphorylated in response to T-cell receptor stimulation and can be activated by phosphorylation by Src family kinases. However, consistent with its lack of PH domain, Rlk/Txk is phosphorylated independent of PI-3K activity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that like Itk, Rlk/Txk is associated with lipid RAFTs (detergent-insoluble, cholesterol-rich regions of the membrane), but unlike Itk, Rlk/Txk's RAFT association is independent of PI-3K activity. Despite these differences, Rlk/Txk partially compensates for loss of Itk in gene-targeted animals, suggesting overlapping functions for these kinases.

Mutation of Tec family kinases alters T helper cell differentiation.

The Tec kinases Rlk and Itk are critical for full T cell receptor (TCR)-induced activation of phospholipase C-gamma and mitogen-activated protein kinase. We show here that the mutation of Rlk and Itk impaired activation of the transcription factors NFAT and AP-1 and production of both T helper type 1 (TH1) and TH2 cytokines. Consistent with these biochemical defects, Itk-/- mice did not generate effective TH2 responses when challenged with Schistosoma mansoni eggs. Paradoxically, the more severely impaired Rlk-/-Itk-/- mice were able to mount a TH2 response and produced TH2 cytokines in response to this challenge. In addition, Rlk-/-Itk-/- cells showed impaired TCR-induced repression of the TH2-inducing transcription factor GATA-3, suggesting a potential mechanism for TH2 development in these hyporesponsive cells. Thus, mutations that affect Tec kinases lead to complex alterations in CD4+ TH cell differentiation.

Altered lymphocyte responses and cytokine production in mice deficient in the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease gene SH2D1A/DSHP/SAP.

We have introduced a targeted mutation in SH2D1A/DSHP/SAP, the gene responsible for the human genetic disorder X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP). SLAM-associated protein (SAP)-deficient mice had normal lymphocyte development, but on challenge with infectious agents, recapitulated features of XLP. Infection of SAP- mice with lymphocyte choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) or Toxoplasma gondii was associated with increased T cell activation and IFN-gamma production, as well as a reduction of Ig-secreting cells. Anti-CD3-stimulated splenocytes from uninfected SAP- mice produced increased IFN-gamma and decreased IL-4, findings supported by decreased serum IgE levels in vivo. The Th1 skewing of these animals suggests that cytokine misregulation may contribute to phenotypes associated with mutation of SH2D1A/SAP.

Tec kinases: modulators of lymphocyte signaling and development.

The Tec kinases are implicated as important components of the antigen receptor signaling required for proper lymphocyte activation and development. Recent data suggest that these kinases contribute to multiprotein complexes containing LAT and SLP-76 in T cells, and BLNK/SLP-65 in B cells, which are required for activation of PLC-gamma and downstream pathways.

Requirements for activation and RAFT localization of the T-lymphocyte kinase Rlk/Txk.

BACKGROUND: The Tec family kinases are implicated in signaling from lymphocyte antigen receptors and are activated following phosphorylation by Src kinases. For most Tec kinases, this activation requires an interaction between their pleckstrin homology (PH) domains and the products of phosphoinositide 3-Kinase, which localizes Tec kinases to membrane RAFTs. Rlk/Txk is a Tec related kinase expressed in T cells that lacks a pleckstrin homology domain, having instead a palmitoylated cysteine-string motif. To evaluate Rlk's function in T cell receptor signaling cascades, we examined the requirements for Rlk localization and activation by Src family kinases. RESULTS: We demonstrate that Rlk is also associated with RAFTs, despite its lack of a pleckstrin homology domain. Rlk RAFT association requires the cysteine-string motif and is independent of PI3 Kinase activity. We further demonstrate that Rlk can be phosphorylated and activated by Src kinases, leading to a decrease in its half-life. A specific tyrosine in the activation loop of Rlk, Y420, is required for phosphorylation and activation, as well as for decreased stability, but is not required for lipid RAFT association. Mutation of this tyrosine also prevents increased tyrosine phosphorylation of Rlk after stimulation of the T cell receptor, suggesting that Rlk is phosphorylated by Src family kinases in response to T cell receptor engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Like the other related Tec kinases, Rlk is associated with lipid RAFTs and can be phosphorylated and activated by Src family kinases, supporting a role for Rlk in signaling downstream of Src kinases in T cell activation.

Deficiency of PTEN in Jurkat T cells causes constitutive localization of Itk to the plasma membrane and hyperresponsiveness to CD3 stimulation.

Pleckstrin homology (PH) domain binding to D3-phosphorylated phosphatidylinositides (PI) provides a reversible means of recruiting proteins to the plasma membrane, with the resultant change in subcellular localization playing a key role in the activation of multiple intracellular signaling pathways. Previously we found that the T-cell-specific PH domain-containing kinase Itk is constitutively membrane associated in Jurkat T cells. This distribution was unexpected given that the closely related B-cell kinase, Btk, is almost exclusively cytosolic. In addition to constitutive membrane association of Itk, unstimulated JTAg T cells also exhibited constitutive phosphorylation of Akt on Ser-473, an indication of elevated basal levels of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) products PI-3,4-P(2) and PI-3,4,5-P(3) in the plasma membrane. Here we describe a defect in expression of the D3 phosphoinositide phosphatase, PTEN, in Jurkat and JTAg T cells that leads to unregulated PH domain interactions with the plasma membrane. Inhibition of D3 phosphorylation by PI3K inhibitors, or by expression of PTEN, blocked constitutive phosphorylation of Akt on Ser-473 and caused Itk to redistribute to the cytosol. The PTEN-deficient cells were also hyperresponsive to T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, as measured by Itk kinase activity, tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma1, and activation of Erk compared to those in PTEN-replete cells. These data support the idea that PH domain-mediated association with the plasma membrane is required for Itk activation, provide evidence for a negative regulatory role of PTEN in TCR stimulation, and suggest that signaling models based on results from Jurkat T-cell lines may underestimate the role of PI3K in TCR signaling.

rlk/TXK encodes two forms of a novel cysteine string tyrosine kinase activated by Src family kinases.

Rlk/Txk is a member of the BTK/Tec family of tyrosine kinases and is primarily expressed in T lymphocytes. Unlike other members of this kinase family, Rlk lacks a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain near the amino terminus and instead contains a distinctive cysteine string motif. We demonstrate here that Rlk protein consists of two isoforms that arise by alternative initiation of translation from the same cDNA. The shorter, internally initiated protein species lacks the cysteine string motif and is located in the nucleus when expressed in the absence of the larger form. In contrast, the larger form is cytoplasmic. We show that the larger form is palmitoylated and that mutation of its cysteine string motif both abolishes palmitoylation and allows the protein to migrate to the nucleus. The cysteine string, therefore, is a critical determinant of both fatty acid modification and protein localization for the larger isoform of Rlk, suggesting that Rlk regulation is distinct from the other Btk family kinases. We further show that Rlk is phosphorylated and changes localization in response to T-cell-receptor (TCR) activation and, like the other Btk family kinases, can be phosphorylated and activated by Src family kinases. However, unlike the other Btk family members, Rlk is activated independently of the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, consistent with its lack of a PH domain. Thus, Rlk has two distinct isoforms, each of which may have unique properties in signaling downstream from the TCR.

Geldanamycin, a heat shock protein 90-binding benzoquinone ansamycin, inhibits steroid-dependent translocation of the glucocorticoid receptor from the cytoplasm to the nucleus.

When they are translated, steroid receptors are assembled into a multiprotein complex containing hsp90, p23, an immunophilin, and often some hsp70. Some of the receptors, such as that for progesterone, have nuclear localization signals that are functional in the absence of hormone, and they move into the nucleus where they exist in the same multiprotein heterocomplex with hsp90. Other receptors, such as the glucocorticoid receptor, are localized predominantly in the cytoplasm in the absence of hormone and move into the nucleus in a hormone-dependent fashion. We have previously proposed that hsp90 and the immunophilin play a role in receptor trafficking [Pratt, W. B. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 21455-21458]. In this work, we show that treatment of L cells with geldanamycin, a benzoquinone ansamycin that binds to hsp90 and disrupts its function, impedes dexamethasone-dependent trafficking of the glucocorticoid receptor from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Because geldanamycin treatment of hormone-free cells causes a rapid loss of steroid binding activity, receptors were prebound with dexamethasone by incubating cells with hormone at 0 degrees C prior to shifting the temperature to 37 degrees C for 20 min to permit receptor transformation and translocation in the presence or absence of geldanamycin. Geldanamycin does not cause steroid to dissociate from prebound receptors, and it does not inhibit hormone-mediated receptor transformation assayed by conversion to the DNA-binding state. However, as reported previously for the progesterone receptor, geldanamycin blocks assembly of the glucocorticoid receptor-hsp90 heterocomplex at an intermediate state of assembly where the receptor is bound to hsp70 and p60, both of which are required components in the assembly mechanism. Our observations support the proposal that dynamic association of receptors with hsp90 is required for receptor translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus.

Immunofluorescence localization of the 90-kDa heat-shock protein to cytoskeleton.

The 90-kDa heat-shock protein, hsp90, is an abundant and conserved protein located predominantly in the cytoplasm. Previous reports have localized a portion of the hsp90 to microtubules and to microfilaments. Here, we show that colocalization of hsp90 with microtubules is seen after long-term but not short-term fixation of rat pulmonary endothelial cells with formaldehyde. Under conditions of methanol fixation, a significant portion of both hsp90 and the hsp90-associated protein p23 is present on fibrillar structures extending throughout the cytoplasm of endothelial cells, however, when cells are treated with colcemid under conditions that eliminate microtubules, the fibrils condense into bright rope-like bundles located in the immediate perinuclear area and extending toward the cell periphery. Identical images are observed with an antibody against vimentin and the pattern seen after colcemid treatment is classical for intermediate filaments. Preabsorption of the anti-hsp90 antibody with purified hsp90 prevents the immunofluorescence but preabsorption with purified p23 does not, and the reverse is the case for immunofluorescence produced by the anti-p23 antibody. These results suggest that hsp90 is able, either directly or indirectly via other proteins, to associate with both microtubules and microfilaments.

A model of protein targeting mediated by immunophilins and other proteins that bind to hsp90 via tetratricopeptide repeat domains.

We have shown recently that the immunophilins CyP-40 and FKBP52/hsp56 bind to a common site on hsp90 and that they exist in separate heterocomplexes with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). FKBP52/hsp56 binds to hsp90 via its tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains, it is not required for GR.hsp90 heterocomplex assembly, and it is thought to play a role in targeted movement of the GR. In this work we examine the hsp90 binding of four proteins (FKBP52/hsp56, CyP-40, p50, Mas70p) thought to be involved in targeted protein trafficking. FKBP52/hsp56 and CyP-40 (each with three TPRs), localize to the nucleus and nucleoli, respectively, and form relatively weak complexes with hsp90 that are competed by a CyP-40 fragment containing its three TPRs. The p50 component of the Src.hsp90 and Raf.hsp90 heterocomplexes localizes to cytoskeletal fibers extending from the perinuclear region to the plasma membrane and forming a rim under the plasma membrane of endothelial cells. p50, Mas70p (seven TPRs), which is a receptor for mitochondrial import, and the p60 (six to eight TPRs) component of the steroid receptor.hsp90 heterocomplex assembly system bind very tightly to hsp90 in a manner that is not competed by the CyP-40 fragment. However, bacterially expressed p60 blocks the binding of p50, Mas70p, FKBP52/hsp56, and CyP-40 to purified hsp90. The data are consistent with binding of all of these proteins to a site on hsp90 that is a general TPR domain acceptor. Our localization and binding data are used to develop a model in which proteins that are chaperoned by hsp90 move as dynamic complexes to their cellular sites of action, with the TPR-containing protein participating in targeting the movement of the complexes.

Evidence that the FK506-binding immunophilin heat shock protein 56 is required for trafficking of the glucocorticoid receptor from the cytoplasm to the nucleus.

The FK506-binding immunophilin hsp56 (FKBP52) is one of several chaperone proteins associated with untrasformed steroid receptors in a multiprotein heterocomplex. The function of heat shock protein 56 (hsp56) with respect to receptor action is unknown. hsp56 is not required for glucocorticoid receptor heterocomplex assembly or for proper folding of the receptor hormone-binding domain into a high affinity steroid-binding conformation. In intact cells, the majority of the hsp56 is located in the nucleus, with a minority colocalizing with microtubules in the cytoplasm. hsp56 contains a conserved negatively charged domain that we speculate might serve as a nuclear localization signal recognition sequence. Here we show that injection of an antibody raised against this negative sequence into intact L cells impedes subsequent dexamethasone-mediated shift of the glucocorticoid receptor into the nucleus. Nonimmune rabbit serum and an antibody raised against another site on hsp56 do not affect receptor movement. Inhibition of receptor movement by the 419 antibody against the negative sequence is blocked by preincubation with purified hsp56, but not by preincubation with purified hsp90, hsp70, or BSA. These observations are consistent with the possibility that hsp56 is involved in receptor trafficking to the nucleus, possibly functioning as the nuclear localization signal recognition protein. Receptor trafficking to the nucleus is not affected by FK506, indicating that the peptidylprolyl isomerase activity of hsp56 is not involved.

The hsp56 immunophilin component of untransformed steroid receptor complexes is localized both to microtubules in the cytoplasm and to the same nonrandom regions within the nucleus as the steroid receptor.

In their unliganded state, mouse glucocorticoid receptors (GR) that are overexpressed in the WCL2 line of Chinese hamster ovary cells are distributed in a nonrandom manner throughout all planes of the nucleus. These untransformed nuclear receptors exist in a heterocomplex containing three heat shock proteins, hsp90, hsp70, and hsp56, the latter being an immunophilin of the FK506 binding type whose cellular function is unknown. Because a knowledge of the cellular distribution of hsp56 could provide important clues to its function in steroid-receptor heterocomplexes, we have examined hsp56 localization in intact cells by indirect immunofluorescence using the UPJ56 antibody. The majority of hsp56 is located in the nucleus, with substantial amounts also visualized in the cytoplasm of intact cells. The cytoplasmic hsp56 was examined in rat pulmonary endothelial cells where the protein was found to colocalize with microtubules. The nuclear hsp56 was examined in the WCL2 cells, where the protein was found by confocal imaging to colocalize throughout all planes of the nucleus in the same mottled pattern as the overexpressed GR. Like the GR, the nuclear hsp56 is recovered largely in the cytosolic fraction after hypotonic rupture of WCL2 cells. An observation potentially related to the microtubule-associated fraction of hsp56 is that immunoadsorption of hsp56 from WCL2 cytosol is accompanied by coadsorption of the microtubule-associated protein-1C complex. These observations are discussed with respect to the possible biological functions of hsp56 in the folding and/or cytoplasmic-nuclear trafficking of the receptor.

Characterization of the protein-protein interactions determining the heat shock protein (hsp90.hsp70.hsp56) heterocomplex.

We have reported previously that the three heat shock proteins hsp56, hsp70, and hsp90 exist together in a heterocomplex in human lymphocyte cytosol (Sanchez, E. R., Faber, L. E., Henzel, W. J., and Pratt, W. B. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 5145-5152). All three of these proteins also exist in the native glucocorticoid receptor heterocomplex isolated from WCL2 cell cytosol and we have recently shown that the three heat shock proteins are present when immunopurified mouse glucocorticoid receptor is reconstituted into a heterocomplex by rabbit reticulocyte lysate (Hutchison, K. A., Scherrer, L. C., Czar, M. J., Ning, Y., Sanchez, E. R., Leach, K. L., Deibel, M. R., Jr., and Pratt, W. B. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 3953-3957). In this work, we show that highly purified mouse hsp90 binds in a reversible equilibrium to immunopurified rabbit hsp56, but hsp56 does not bind to purified mouse hsp70. In contrast to the equilibrium binding of hsp90 to hsp56, purified hsp90 binds poorly or not at all to purified hsp70 unless a third factor from reticulocyte lysate is present to permit complex formation. This hsp70.hsp90 complex-forming factor is heat-labile, and in the presence of this factor and ATP, a heat shock protein heterocomplex can be reconstituted from purified mouse hsp90 and hsp70 and rabbit hsp56 that is present in the factor preparation. Our data are consistent with a model in which hsp56 and hsp70 bind to different sites on hsp90 but do not interact with each other. The presence of hsp56 in the heat shock protein heterocomplex is not stabilized by molybdate but hsp56 is stabilized if the glucocorticoid receptor is present in addition to hsp90 and hsp70.

Proof that hsp70 is required for assembly of the glucocorticoid receptor into a heterocomplex with hsp90.

Incubation of immunopurified glucocorticoid receptor with rabbit reticulocyte lysate forms a complex between the receptor and hsp90, with simultaneous conversion of the receptor from a non-steroid binding but DNA binding state typical of the transformed receptor back to the steroid binding, non-DNA binding state typical of the untransformed receptor (Scherrer, L. C., Dalman, F. C., Massa, E., Meshinchi, S., and Pratt, W. B. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 21397-21400). The receptor heterocomplex formed by the lysate also contains hsp70 and is formed in an ATP-dependent and cation-selective manner (Hutchison, K. A., Czar, M.J., Scherrer, L. C., and Pratt, W.B. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 14047-14053). In this work, we selectively depleted reticulocyte lysate of hsp70 by passing it through a column of ATP-agarose. The hsp70-depleted lysate contains hsp90, but it cannot form a receptor-hsp90 heterocomplex. hsp70 purified from mouse L cells binds to immunopurified glucocorticoid receptor but does not convert it to the steroid binding state. Addition of purified hsp70 to the hsp70-depleted lysate reactivates the heterocomplex assembly system, permitting formation of a receptor-hsp90-hsp70 complex, with the receptor being returned to the high affinity steroid-binding conformation. These data are consistent with a model in which the protein-unfolding activity of hsp70 is required for hsp90 binding to the hormone binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor. The hsp56 immunophilin component of the native receptor heterocomplex is also present in the reconstituted receptor heterocomplex in an hsp70-dependent manner. In addition to hsp70, other as yet unidentified factors in reticulocyte lysate are required for receptor heterocomplex assembly.

The hsp56 immunophilin component of steroid receptor heterocomplexes: could this be the elusive nuclear localization signal-binding protein?

In many cells, the glucocorticoid receptor undergoes rapid steroid-mediated translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, and this receptor is an excellent model for studying the mechanism of targeted protein movement through the cytoplasm. For such unidirectional movement to occur, the receptor must attach to a retrograde movement system in a manner that involves the nuclear localization signal. It is improbable that such attachment occurs via a direct protein-protein interaction between the receptor and the movement system; rather, one or more linker proteins are likely to be involved. As with other steroid receptors, the glucocorticoid receptor is associated with several other proteins in a heterocomplex. Two of these receptor-associated proteins are the heat shock proteins hsp90 and hsp56, and a third heat shock protein, hsp70, is required for assembly of the receptor heterocomplex. The hormone binding domain of the steroid receptors determines the interaction with both hsp90 and hsp70. Hsp56 is known to bind to hsp90, but its potential site, or sites, of interaction with the receptor are undefined. Hsp56 has recently been cloned and demonstrated to be an immunophilin of the FK506/rapamycin binding class. The immunophilins have peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity but their cellular functions are unknown. Herein, we review the literature on the hsp56 immunophilin component of the receptor heterocomplex and present a rationale for hsp56 being the protein that determines the direction of receptor movement via a direct protein-protein interaction with the nuclear localization signal.

Regulation of glucocorticoid receptor function through assembly of a receptor-heat shock protein complex.

Incubation of immunopurified, hormone-free mouse glucocorticoid receptors with rabbit reticulocyte lysate results in ATP-dependent and monovalent cation-dependent assembly of the GR into a heterocomplex with hsp90, hsp70, and hsp56. Heterocomplex assembly is accompanied by conversion of the receptor from a form that does not bind steroid to a high affinity steroid-binding conformation. Reticulocyte lysate also promotes ATP-dependent dissociation of unliganded receptors from a prebound receptor-DNA complex. Receptor released from DNA has been reconstituted into the heat shock protein heterocomplex and converted to the non-DNA-binding state. The reticulocyte lysate also reconstitutes pp60v-src into a heterocomplex containing hsp90 and p50, both of which are components of the native heterocomplex form of the tyrosine kinase in cytoplasm. Although the c-Raf-1 serine/threonine kinase has never been found in native association with hsp90, it can be assembled into a heat shock protein heterocomplex by the ATP-dependent system in reticulocyte lysate.

FK506 binding to the 56-kilodalton immunophilin (Hsp56) in the glucocorticoid receptor heterocomplex has no effect on receptor folding or function.

It has recently been reported that the hsp56 component of glucocorticoid receptor heterocomplexes is an immunophilin of the FK506 binding class [Yem, A. W., Tomasselli, A. G., Heinrikson, R. L., Zurcher-Neely, H., Ruff, V. A., Johnson, R. A., & Deibel, M. R. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 2868-2871; Tai, P. K., Albers, M. W., Chang, H., Faber, L. E., & Schreiber, S. L. (1992) Science 256, 1315-1318]. The existence of binding proteins for these two potent groups of immunosuppressants in the same molecular complex compels us to ask whether FK506 affects glucocorticoid receptor function. We show here that hsp56 is a component of the native L-cell glucocorticoid receptor heterocomplex and that [3H]FK506 binds to the immunopurified, untransformed receptor complex. However, at concentrations in excess of those required to occupy all of its binding sites on hsp56, FK506 does not affect the steroid binding activity of the receptor nor does it stabilize or dissociate the receptor-hsp90 complex. FK506 does not affect steroid-mediated hsp90 dissociation from the receptor in vitro, and it does not affect steroid-mediated nuclear transfer of the receptor or steroid-mediated transcriptional enhancement from a reporter in intact cells. When immunopurified mouse glucocorticoid receptor is reconstituted into a heat shock protein complex by rabbit reticulocyte lysate, hsp56 is present in the reconstituted complex in addition to hsp90 and hsp70. FK506, however, does not affect reconstitution of the complex or return of the receptor to the steroid binding state, a change of conformation that occurs upon receptor association with hsp90.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Monovalent cation selectivity for ATP-dependent association of the glucocorticoid receptor with hsp70 and hsp90.

We have reported previously that incubation of the immunopurified transformed hormone-free glucocorticoid receptor with rabbit reticulocyte lysate reconstitutes the receptor complex with hsp90 and that reconstitution is accompanied by concomitant repression of DNA binding activity and regeneration of the steroid binding conformation (Scherrer, L. C., Dalman, F. C., Massa, E., Meshinchi, S., and Pratt, W. B. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 21397-21400). In this work we further characterize this system by defining the small M(r) components of reticulocyte lysate required for both structural and functional reconstitution of the receptor-hsp90 complex. Reconstitution is ATP-dependent and there is a direct relationship between the extent of hsp90 binding to the receptor and the number of specific steroid binding sites that are generated. Dialysis of reticulocyte lysate inactivates its reconstituting activity. Addition of an ATP-regenerating system or readdition of small M(r) lysate components (in the form of a Centricon C30 filtrate) has little effect, but the presence of both restores full reconstituting activity to dialyzed lysate, as assayed by steroid binding activity and by the binding of hsp90 and hsp70 to the receptor. The small M(r) activity is heat-stable, and it can be completely replaced by NH+4, K+, and Rb+, with K+ producing a maximal effect at the concentration normally present in undialyzed lysate. Na+ and Li+ have no reconstituting activity. This ion selectivity demonstrates that a monovalent cation binding site is involved in receptor heterocomplex reconstitution. It is intriguing that the protein unfoldase (e.g. clathrin uncoating ATPase) activity of hsp70 is known to have a similar monovalent cation dependence, and that under all conditions where hsp90 becomes bound to the receptor, we find that hsp70 is also bound.