Chaperone activity of large-size subunit catalases

Large-size subunit catalases (LSCs) have a C-terminal domain that is structurally similar to DJ-1 and Hsp31 proteins, which have well documented molecular chaperone activity. Like chaperones, LSCs are abundant proteins that are induced under stress conditions and during cell differentiation in different microorganisms. Here we document that the C-terminal domain of LSCs assist other proteins to preserve their active conformation. Heat, urea, or H₂O₂ denaturation of alcohol dehydrogenase was prevented by LSCs or the C-terminal domain of Catalase-3 (TDC3); in contrast, small-size subunit catalases (SSCs) or LSCs without the C-terminal domain (C3^ΔTD or C63) did not have this effect. Similar results were obtained if the alcohol dehydrogenase was previously denatured by heat and then the different catalases or truncated enzymes were added. The TDC3 also protected both the C3^ΔTD and the bovine liver catalase from heat denaturation. The chaperone activity of CAT-3 or the TDC3 increased survival of E. coli under different stress conditions whereas the C3^ΔTD did not. It is concluded that the C-terminal domain of LSCs has a chaperone activity that is instrumental for cellular resistance to stress conditions, such as oxidative stress that leads to cell differentiation in filamentous fungi.