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Intracellular Refolding Assay
07:18

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Published on: January 24, 2012

Role of Hsp70 in cancer growth and survival

Marcus P D Hatfield1, Sándor Lovas

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.

Protein and Peptide Letters
|April 24, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) helps cancer cells survive by inhibiting apoptosis. This review covers Hsp70 structure and its role in cancer, focusing on Hsp70-1 and Hsp70-2 isotypes.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is a conserved protein crucial for cellular homeostasis.
  • Hsp70 functions include refolding misfolded proteins and regulating apoptosis.
  • Hsp70 comprises a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and a substrate-binding domain (SBD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and function of Hsp70 proteins.
  • To elucidate the role of Hsp70 in cancer cell survival.
  • To highlight the increased expression of Hsp70-1 and Hsp70-2 in cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Hsp70 structure and function.
  • Analysis of Hsp70 expression in cancer.
  • Summary of Hsp70's role in apoptosis regulation in cancer.

Main Results:

  • Hsp70 proteins are vital for cellular processes, including protein folding and apoptosis.
  • Cancer cells, particularly leukemic cells, exhibit elevated levels of Hsp70-1 and Hsp70-2.
  • Increased Hsp70 expression contributes to cancer cell resistance to apoptosis under stress.

Conclusions:

  • Hsp70 proteins play a significant role in maintaining cancer cell survival.
  • Targeting Hsp70 may represent a therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
  • Further research into Hsp70 isotypes in cancer is warranted.

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