During heat shock, the chaperone HSP70s translocates to the nucleus, although its exact nuclear functions are not well understood. Moreover, the mechanism of translocation was unknown, but Kose et al. now identify an evolutionarily conserved protein that acts as a protein carrier for HSP70s. This protein, which does not seem to belong to the importin-β family, was shown to preferentially bind to the ATP-bound form of HSP70s and to interact with FG repeat-containing nucleoporins, thereby translocating HSP70s through the nuclear pore complex. Importantly, the authors find that depletion of the protein, which they term Hikeshi (Japanese for firefighter), inhibits HSP70s import and reduces cell viability following heat shock.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Kose, S, Furuta, M. & Imamoto, N. Hikeshi, a nuclear import carrier for HSP70s, protects cells from heat shock-induced nuclear damage. Cell 149, 578–589 (2012) Article
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David, R. Hikeshi 'puts out the fire' in the nucleus. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 13, 341 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm3362
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm3362