The diverse roles of J-proteins, the obligate Hsp70 co-chaperone.

Hsp70s and J-proteins, which constitute one of the most ubiquitous types of molecular chaperone machineries, function in a wide variety of cellular processes. J-proteins play a central role by stimulating an Hsp70's ATPase activity, thereby stabilizing its interaction with client proteins. However, while all J-proteins serve this core purpose, individual proteins are both structurally and functionally diverse. Some, but not all, J-proteins interact with client polypeptides themselves, facilitating their binding to an Hsp70. Some J-proteins have many client proteins, others only one. Certain J-proteins, while not others, are tethered to particular locations within a cellular compartment, thus "recruiting" Hsp70s to the vicinity of their clients. Here we review recent work on the diverse family of J-proteins, outlining emerging themes concerning their function.

A specialized mitochondrial molecular chaperone system: a role in formation of Fe/S centers.

Mitochondria contain a specialized system of molecular chaperones that plays a critical role in the biogenesis of Fe/S centers. This Hsp70:J-protein system shows many similarities to the system found in bacteria, but the precise role of neither chaperone system has been defined. However, evidence to date suggests an interaction with the scaffold protein on which a transient Fe/S center is assembled, and thus implies a role in either assembly of the center or its transfer to recipient proteins.

Divergent functional properties of the ribosome-associated molecular chaperone Ssb compared with other Hsp70s.

Ssbs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are ribosome-associated molecular chaperones, which can be cross-linked to nascent polypeptide chains. Because Ssbs are members of a divergent subclass of Hsp70s found thus far only in fungi, we asked if the structural requirements for in vivo function were similar to those of "classic" Hsp70s. An intact peptide-binding domain is essential and an alteration of a conserved residue in the peptide-binding cleft (V442) affects function. However, Ssb tolerates a number of alterations in the peptide-binding cleft, revealing a high degree of flexibility in its functional requirements. Because binding of Ssb to peptide substrates in vitro was undetectable, we assessed the importance of substrate binding using the chimera BAB, in which the peptide binding domain of Ssb is exchanged for the analogous domain of the more "classical" Hsp70, Ssa. BAB, which binds peptide substrates in vitro, can substitute for Ssb in vivo. Alteration of a residue in the peptide-binding cleft of BAB creates a protein with a reduced affinity for peptide and altered ribosome binding that is unable to substitute for Ssb in vivo. These results indicate that Ssb's ability to bind unfolded polypeptides is likely critical for its function. This binding accounts, in part, for its stable interaction with translating ribosomes, even although it has a low affinity for peptides that detectably bind to other Hsp70s in vitro. These unusual properties may allow Ssb to function efficiently as a chaperone for ribosome-bound nascent chains.

The Hsp70-Ydj1 molecular chaperone represses the activity of the heme activator protein Hap1 in the absence of heme.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, heme directly mediates the effects of oxygen on transcription through the heme activator protein Hap1. In the absence of heme, Hap1 is bound by at least four cellular proteins, including Hsp90 and Ydj1, forming a higher-order complex, termed HMC, and its activity is repressed. Here we purified the HMC and showed by mass spectrometry that two previously unidentified major components of the HMC are the Ssa-type Hsp70 molecular chaperone and Sro9 proteins. In vivo functional analysis, combined with biochemical analysis, strongly suggests that Ssa proteins are critical for Hap1 repression in the absence of heme. Ssa may repress the activities of both Hap1 DNA-binding and activation domains. The Ssa cochaperones Ydj1 and Sro9 appear to assist Ssa in Hap1 repression, and only Ydj1 residues 1 to 172 containing the J domain are required for Hap1 repression. Our results suggest that Ssa-Ydj1 and Sro9 act together to mediate Hap1 repression in the absence of heme and that molecular chaperones promote heme regulation of Hap1 by a mechanism distinct from the mechanism of steroid signaling.

The role of Sis1 in the maintenance of the [RNQ+] prion.

Yeast prions are inherited through proteins that exist in alternate, self-perpetuating conformational states. The mechanisms by which these states arise and are maintained are still poorly defined. Here we demonstrate for the first time that Sis1, a member of the Hsp40 chaperone family, plays a critical role in the maintenance of a prion. The prion [RNQ+] is formed by Rnq1, which is present in the same physical complex as Sis1, but only when Rnq1 is in the prion state. The G/F domain of Sis1 is dispensable for rapid growth on rich medium, but is required for [RNQ+] maintenance, distinguishing essential regions of Sis1 from those needed for prion interaction. A specific Sis1 deletion mutant altered the physical aggregation pattern of Rnq1 without curing the prion. This variant state propagated in a heritable fashion after wild-type Sis1 function was restored, indicating that multiple physical states are compatible with prion maintenance and that changes in chaperone activity can create prion variants. Using a prion chimera we demonstrate that the prion-determinant domain of Rnq1 is genetically sufficient for control by Sis1.

An essential role for the substrate-binding region of Hsp40s in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In addition to regulating the ATPase cycle of Hsp70, a second critical role of Hsp40s has been proposed based on in vitro studies: binding to denatured protein substrates, followed by their presentation to Hsp70 for folding. However, the biological importance of this model is challenged by the fact that deletion of the substrate-binding domain of either of the two major Hsp40s of the yeast cytosol, Ydj1 and Sis1, leads to no severe defects, as long as regions necessary for Hsp70 interaction are retained. As an in vivo test of this model, requirements for viability were examined in a strain having deletions of both Hsp40 genes. Despite limited sequence similarity, the substrate-binding domain of either Sis1 or Ydj1 allowed cell growth, indicating they share overlapping essential functions. Furthermore, the substrate-binding domain must function in cis with a functional Hsp70-interacting domain. We conclude that the ability of cytosolic Hsp40s to bind unfolded protein substrates is an essential function in vivo.

The yeast hsp70 homologue Ssa is required for translation and interacts with Sis1 and Pab1 on translating ribosomes.

The 70-kDa heat shock proteins are molecular chaperones that participate in a variety of cellular functions. This chaperone function is stimulated by interaction with hsp40 proteins. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene encoding the essential hsp40 homologue, SIS1, appears to function in translation initiation. Mutations in ribosomal protein L39 (rpl39) complement loss-of-function mutations in SIS1 as well as PAB1 (poly(A)-binding protein), suggesting a functional interaction between these proteins. However, while a direct interaction between Sis1 and Pab1 is not detectable, both of these proteins physically interact with the essential Ssa (and not Ssb) family of hsp70 proteins. This interaction is mediated by the variable C-terminal domain of Ssa. Subcellular fractionations demonstrate that the binding of Ssa to ribosomes is dependent upon its C terminus and that its interaction with Sis1 and Pab1 occurs preferentially on translating ribosomes. Consistent with a function in translation, depletion of Ssa protein produces a general translational defect that appears similar to loss of Sis1 and Pab1 function. This translational effect of Ssa appears mediated, at least in part, by its affect on the interaction of Pab1 with the translation initiation factor, eIF4G, which is dramatically reduced in the absence of functional Ssa protein.

Jac1, a mitochondrial J-type chaperone, is involved in the biogenesis of Fe/S clusters in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A minor Hsp70 chaperone of the mitochondrial matrix of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Ssq1, is involved in the formation or repair of Fe/S clusters and/or mitochondrial iron metabolism. Here, we report evidence that Jac1, a J-type chaperone of the mitochondrial matrix, is the partner of Ssq1 in this process. Reduced activity of Jac1 results in a decrease in activity of Fe/S containing mitochondrial proteins and an accumulation of iron in mitochondria. Fe/S enzyme activities remain low in both jac1 and ssq1 mutant mitochondria even if normal mitochondrial iron levels are maintained. Therefore, the low activities observed are not solely due to oxidative damage caused by excess iron. Rather, these molecular chaperones likely play a direct role in the normal assembly process of Fe/S clusters.

Mitochondrial Hsp70 Ssc1: role in protein folding.

Ssc1, the major Hsp70 of the mitochondrial matrix, is involved in the translocation of proteins from the cytosol into the matrix and their subsequent folding. To better understand the physiological mechanism of action of this Hsp70, we have undertaken a biochemical analysis of Ssc1 and two mutant proteins, Ssc1--2 and Ssc1--201. ssc1--2 is a temperature-sensitive mutant defective in both translocation and folding; ssc1--201 contains a second mutation in this ssc1 gene that suppresses the temperature-sensitive growth defect of ssc1--2, correcting the translocation but not the folding defect. We found that although Ssc1 was competent to facilitate the refolding of denatured luciferase in vitro, both Ssc1--2 and Ssc1--201 showed significant defects, consistent with the data obtained with isolated mitochondria. Purified Ssc1--2 had a lowered affinity for a peptide substrate compared with wild-type Ssc1 but only in the ADP-bound state. This peptide binding defect was reversed in the suppressor protein Ssc1--201. However, a defect in the ability of Hsp40 to stimulate the ATPase activity of Ssc1--2 was not corrected in Ssc1--201. Thus, the inability of these two mutant proteins to efficiently facilitate luciferase refolding correlates with their defect in stimulation of ATPase activity by Hsp40s, indicating that this interaction is critical for protein folding in mitochondria.

A role for the Hsp40 Ydj1 in repression of basal steroid receptor activity in yeast.

In addition to its roles in translocation of preproteins across membranes, Ydj1 facilitates the maturation of Hsp90 substrates, including mammalian steroid receptors, which activate transcription in yeast in a hormone-dependent manner. To better understand Ydj1's function, we have constructed and analyzed an array of Ydj1 mutants in vivo. Both the glucocorticoid receptor and the estrogen receptor exhibited elevated activity in the absence of hormone in all ydj1 mutant strains, indicating a strict requirement for Ydj1 activity in hormonal control. Glucocorticoid receptor containing a mutation in the carboxy-terminal transcriptional activation domain, AF-2, retained elevated basal activity, while mutation of the amino-terminal transactivation domain, AF-1, eliminated the elevated basal activity observed in ydj1 mutant strains. This result indicates that the source of activity is AF-1, which is normally repressed by the carboxy-terminal hormone binding domain in the absence of hormone. Chimeric proteins containing the hormone binding domain of the estrogen or glucocorticoid receptor fused to heterologous activation and DNA binding domains also exhibited elevated activity in the absence of hormone. Thus, Ydj1 mutants appear to increase basal receptor activity by altering the ability of the hormone binding domain of the receptor to repress nearby activation domains. We propose that Ydj1 functions to present steroid receptors to the Hsp90 pathway for folding and hormonal control. In the presence of Ydj1 mutants that fail to bind substrate efficiently, some receptor escapes the Hsp90 pathway, resulting in constitutive activity.

Cytosolic Hsp70s are involved in the transport of aminopeptidase 1 from the cytoplasm into the vacuole.

Eukaryotic 70 kDa heat shock proteins (Hsp70s) are localized in various cellular compartments and exhibit functions such as protein translocation across membranes, protein folding and assembly. Here we demonstrate that the constitutively expressed members of the yeast cytoplasmic Ssa subfamily, Ssa1/2p, are involved in the transport of the vacuolar hydrolase aminopeptidase 1 from the cytoplasm into the vacuole. The Ssap family members displayed overlapping functions in the transport of aminopeptidase 1. In SSAI and SSAII deletion mutants the precursor of aminopeptidase 1 accumulated in a dodecameric complex that is packaged in prevacuolar transport vesicles. Ssa1/2p was prominently localized to the vacuolar membrane, consistent with the role we propose for Ssa proteins in the fusion of transport vesicles with the vacuolar membrane.

Role of the mitochondrial Hsp70s, Ssc1 and Ssq1, in the maturation of Yfh1.

The mitochondrial matrix of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains two molecular chaperones of the Hsp70 class, Ssc1 and Ssq1. We report that Ssc1 and Ssq1 play sequential roles in the import and maturation of the yeast frataxin homologue (Yfh1). In vitro, radiolabeled Yfh1 was not imported into ssc1-3 mutant mitochondria, remaining in a protease-sensitive precursor form. As reported earlier, the Yfh1 intermediate form was only slowly processed to the mature form in Deltassq1 mitochondria (S. A. B. Knight, N. B. V. Sepuri, D. Pain, and A. Dancis, J. Biol. Chem. 273:18389-18393, 1998). However, the intermediate form in both wild-type and Deltassq1 mitochondria was entirely within the inner membrane, as it was resistant to digestion with protease after disruption of the outer membrane. Therefore, we conclude that Ssc1, which is present in mitochondria in approximately a 1,000-fold excess over Ssq1, is required for Yfh1 import into the matrix, while Ssq1 is necessary for the efficient processing of the intermediate to the mature form in isolated mitochondria. However, the steady-state level of mature Yfh1 in Deltassq1 mitochondria is approximately 75% of that found in wild-type mitochondria, indicating that this retardation in processing does not dramatically affect cellular concentrations. Therefore, Ssq1 likely has roles in addition to facilitating the processing of Yfh1. Twofold overexpression of Ssc1 partially suppresses the cold-sensitive growth phenotype of Deltassq1 cells, as well as the accumulation of mitochondrial iron and the defects in Fe/S enzyme activities normally found in Deltassq1 mitochondria. Deltassq1 mitochondria containing twofold-more Ssc1 efficiently converted the intermediate form of Yfh1 to the mature form. This correlation between the observed processing defect and suppression of in vivo phenotypes suggests that Ssc1 is able to carry out the functions of Ssq1, but only when present in approximately a 2,000-fold excess over normal levels of Ssq1.

Mitochondrial iron metabolism in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Iron is fundamental to many biological processes, but is also detrimental as it fosters the synthesis of destructive oxygen radicals. Recent experiments have increased our knowledge of the critical process of regulation of mitochondrial iron metabolism. A number of genes directly involved in iron homeostasis in this organelle have been identified. Intriguingly, a minor Hsp70 molecular chaperone of the mitochondrial matrix has been implicated as a player in this process as well.

The glycine-phenylalanine-rich region determines the specificity of the yeast Hsp40 Sis1.

Hsp40s are ubiquitous, conserved proteins which function with molecular chaperones of the Hsp70 class. Sis1 is an essential Hsp40 of the cytosol of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, thought to be required for initiation of translation. We carried out a genetic analysis to determine the regions of Sis1 required to perform its key function(s). A C-terminal truncation of Sis1, removing 231 amino acids but retaining the N-terminal 121 amino acids encompassing the J domain and the glycine-phenylalanine-rich (G-F) region, was able to rescue the inviability of a Deltasis1 strain. The yeast cytosol contains other Hsp40s, including Ydj1. To determine which regions carried the critical determinants of Sis1 function, we constructed chimeric genes containing portions of SIS1 and YDJ1. A chimera containing the J domain of Sis1 and the G-F region of Ydj1 could not rescue the lethality of the Deltasis1 strain. However, a chimera with the J domain of Ydj1 and the G/F region of Sis1 could rescue the strain's lethality, indicating that the G-F region is a unique region required for the essential function of Sis1. However, a J domain is also required, as mutants expected to cause a disruption of the interaction of the J domain with Hsp70 are inviable. We conclude that the G-F region, previously thought only to be a linker or spacer region between the J domain and C-terminal regions of Hsp40s, is a critical determinant of Sis1 function.

Intragenic suppressors of Hsp70 mutants: interplay between the ATPase- and peptide-binding domains.

ATP hydrolysis and polypeptide binding, the two key activities of Hsp70 molecular chaperones, are inherent properties of different domains of the protein. The coupling of these two activities is critical because the bound nucleotide determines, in part, the affinity of Hsp70s for protein substrate. In addition, cochaperones of the Hsp40 (DnaJ) class, which stimulate Hsp70 ATPase activity, have been proposed to play an important role in promoting efficient Hsp70 substrate binding. Because little is understood about this functional interaction between domains of Hsp70s, we investigated mutations in the region encoding the ATPase domain that acted as intragenic suppressors of a lethal mutation (I485N) mapping to the peptide-binding domain of the mitochondrial Hsp70 Ssc1. Analogous amino acid substitution in the ATPase domain of the Escherichia coli Hsp70 DnaK had a similar intragenic suppressive effect on the corresponding I462T temperature-sensitive peptide-binding domain mutation. I462T protein had a normal basal ATPase activity and was capable of nucleotide-dependent conformation changes. However, the reduced affinity of I462T for substrate peptide (and DnaJ) is likely responsible for the inability of I462T to function in vivo. The suppressor mutation (D79A) appears to partly alleviate the defect in DnaJ ATPase stimulation caused by I462T, suggesting that alteration in the interaction with DnaJ may alter the chaperone cycle to allow productive interaction with polypeptide substrates. Preservation of the intragenic suppression phenotypes between eukaryotic mitochondrial and bacterial Hsp70s suggests that the phenomenon studied here is a fundamental aspect of the function of Hsp70:Hsp40 chaperone machines.

The protein import motor of mitochondria: unfolding and trapping of preproteins are distinct and separable functions of matrix Hsp70.

Mitochondrial heat shock protein 70 (mtHsp70) functions in unfolding, translocation, and folding of imported proteins. Controversial models of mtHsp70 action have been discussed: (1) physical trapping of preproteins is sufficient to explain the various mtHsp70 functions, and (2) unfolding of preproteins requires an active motor function of mtHsp70 ("pulling"). Intragenic suppressors of a mutant mtHsp70 separate two functions: a nonlethal folding defect caused by enhanced trapping of preproteins, and a conditionally lethal unfolding defect caused by an impaired interaction of mtHsp70 with the membrane anchor Tim44. Even enhanced trapping in wild-type mitochondria does not generate a pulling force. The motor function of mtHsp70 cannot be explained by passive trapping alone but includes an essential ATP-dependent interaction with Tim44 to generate a pulling force and unfold preproteins.

SSB, encoding a ribosome-associated chaperone, is coordinately regulated with ribosomal protein genes.

Genes encoding ribosomal proteins and other components of the translational apparatus are coregulated to efficiently adjust the protein synthetic capacity of the cell. Ssb, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hsp70 cytosolic molecular chaperone, is associated with the ribosome-nascent chain complex. To determine whether this chaperone is coregulated with ribosomal proteins, we studied the mRNA regulation of SSB under several environmental conditions. Ssb and the ribosomal protein rpL5 mRNAs were up-regulated upon carbon upshift and down-regulated upon amino acid limitation, unlike the mRNA of another cytosolic Hsp70, Ssa. Ribosomal protein and Ssb mRNAs, like many mRNAs, are down-regulated upon a rapid temperature upshift. The mRNA reduction of several ribosomal protein genes and Ssb was delayed by the presence of an allele, EXA3-1, of the gene encoding the heat shock factor (HSF). However, upon a heat shock the EXA3-1 mutation did not significantly alter the reduction in the mRNA levels of two genes encoding proteins unrelated to the translational apparatus. Analysis of gene fusions indicated that the transcribed region, but not the promoter of SSB, is sufficient for this HSF-dependent regulation. Our studies suggest that Ssb is regulated like a core component of the ribosome and that HSF is required for proper regulation of SSB and ribosomal mRNA after a temperature upshift.

A nuclear export signal prevents Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hsp70 Ssb1p from stimulating nuclear localization signal-directed nuclear transport.

Hsp70 has been implicated in nuclear localization signal (NLS)-directed nuclear transport. Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains distinct SSA and SSB gene families of cytosolic Hsp70s. The nucleocytoplasmic localization of Ssa1p and Ssb1p was investigated using green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions. Whereas GFP-Ssa1p localized both to the nucleus and cytoplasm, GFP-Ssb1p appeared only in the cytosol. The C-terminal domain of Ssb1p contains a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) that is necessary and sufficient to direct nuclear export. The accumulation of GFP-Ssb1p in the nuclei of xpo1-1 cells suggests that Ssb1p shuttles across the nuclear envelope. Elevated levels of SSA1 but not SSB1 suppressed the NLS-GFP nuclear localization defects of nup188-Delta cells. Studies with Ssa1p/Ssb1p chimeras revealed that the Ssb1p NES is sufficient and necessary to inhibit the function of Ssa- or Ssb-type Hsp70s in nuclear transport. Thus, NES-less Ssb1p stimulates nuclear transport in nup188-Delta cells and NES-containing Ssa1p does not. We conclude that the differential function of Ssa1p and Ssb1p in nuclear transport is due to the NES-directed export of the Ssb1p and not to functional differences in their ATPase or peptide binding domains.

Suppression of an Hsp70 mutant phenotype in Saccharomyces cerevisiae through loss of function of the chromatin component Sin1p/Spt2p.

The Ssa subfamily of Hsp70 molecular chaperones in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has four members, encoded by SSA1, SSA2, SSA3, and SSA4. Deletion of the two constitutively expressed genes, SSA1 and SSA2, results in cells which are slow growing and temperature sensitive. In this study, we demonstrate that an extragenic suppressor of the temperature sensitivity of ssa1 ssa2 strains, EXA1-1, is a loss-of-function mutation in SIN1/SPT2, which encodes a nonhistone component of chromatin. Loss of function of Sin1p leads to overexpression of SSA3 in the ssa1 ssa2 mutant background, at a level which is sufficient to mediate suppression. In a strain which is wild type for SSA genes, we detected no effect of Sin1p on Ssa3p expression except under conditions of heat shock. Existing data indicate that expression of SSA3 in the ssa1 ssa2 mutant background as well as in heat-shocked wild-type strains is mediated by the heat shock transcription factor HSF. Our findings suggest that it is HSF-mediated induction of SSA3 which is modulated by Sin1p. The EXA1-1 suppressor mutation thus improves the growth of ssa1 ssa2 strains by selectively increasing HSF-mediated expression of SSA3.