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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Malachite Green Assay for the Discovery of Heat-Shock Protein 90 Inhibitors
Published on: January 20, 2023
Hsp90 inhibition decreases mitochondrial protein turnover
Daciana H Margineantu1, Christine B Emerson, Dolores Diaz
1Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
Background:
Cells treated with hsp90 inhibitors exhibit pleiotropic changes, including an expansion of the mitochondrial compartment, accompanied by mitochondrial fragmentation and condensed mitochondrial morphology, with ultimate compromise of mitochondrial integrity and apoptosis.
Findings:
We identified several mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits, including several encoded by mtDNA, that are upregulated by hsp90 inhibitors, without corresponding changes in mRNA abundance. Post-transcriptional accumulation of mitochondrial proteins observed with hsp90 inhibitors is also seen in cells treated with proteasome inhibitors. Detailed studies of the OSCP subunit of mitochondrial F1F0-ATPase revealed the presence of mono- and polyubiquitinated OSCP in mitochondrial fractions. We demonstrate that processed OSCP undergoes retrotranslocation to a trypsin-sensitive form associated with the outer mitochondrial membrane. Inhibition of proteasome or hsp90 function results in accumulation of both correctly targeted and retrotranslocated mitochondrial OSCP.
Conclusions:
Cytosolic turnover of mitochondrial proteins demonstrates a novel connection between mitochondrial and cytosolic compartments through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Analogous to defective protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum, a mitochondrial unfolded protein response may play a role in the apoptotic effects of hsp90 and proteasome inhibitors.
Insights
Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors cause mitochondrial issues and protein buildup. This suggests a link between mitochondrial and cytosolic protein turnover via the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Area of Science:
- Mitochondrial Biology
- Cellular Stress Response
- Protein Degradation
Background:
- HSP90 inhibitors induce significant cellular changes, including mitochondrial expansion, fragmentation, and morphological alterations.
- These changes ultimately compromise mitochondrial integrity and lead to apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the post-transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial proteins under HSP90 inhibition.
- To explore the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in mitochondrial protein turnover.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits.
- Detection of ubiquitinated proteins in mitochondrial fractions.
- Studies on the retrotranslocation of mitochondrial proteins.
Main Results:
- Upregulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits, including mtDNA-encoded ones, without mRNA changes.
- Post-transcriptional accumulation of mitochondrial proteins, similar to proteasome inhibitor effects.
- Identification of ubiquitinated OSCP undergoing retrotranslocation; accumulation of both correctly targeted and retrotranslocated OSCP upon proteasome or HSP90 inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Cytosolic turnover of mitochondrial proteins reveals a novel link between mitochondrial and cytosolic compartments via the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
- A mitochondrial unfolded protein response may contribute to apoptosis induced by HSP90 and proteasome inhibitors, mirroring ER stress responses.
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