Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 7, 2026

Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans
Published on: May 21, 2020
LEDGF binds to heat shock and stress-related element to activate the expression of stress-related genes
1Center for Ophthalmic Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Abstract:
We have investigated the mechanism by which LEDGF protects cells against environmental stress. Our earlier report showed that a low level of LEDGF was present in the nucleus of most cell types and significant elevation of LEDGF level was induced by heat and oxidative stress. The cells overexpressing LEDGF-activated expression of heat shock proteins and enhanced survival of many cell types. Here we show that LEDGF binds to heat shock element (HSE) and stress-related regulatory element (STRE) to activate the expression of stress-related genes (Hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin). Apparently, HSE and STRE are present in promoters of many stress-related genes. Elevation of many stress-related proteins (STRPs) induced by LEDGF may protect cells against environmental stress. In yeast, it has been demonstrated that a single stress can activate the expression of multiple STRPs. This is known as "cross-protection," and now similar mechanism has been found in mammalian cells and LEDGF plays a vital role in it.
Related Concept Videos
Other Stress Responses in Bacteria
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Stringent Response in E. coli
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress

