HSF1-Activated Non-Coding Stress Response: Satellite lncRNAs and Beyond, an Emerging Story with a Complex Scenario

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• Cellular Stress Response

Background:

• The heat shock response is crucial for cellular survival under stress.
• Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) is the primary transcription factor regulating this response.
• HSF1 is known to activate heat shock protein (HSP) genes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify non-coding genomic sites bound by HSF1 upon heat shock in mammals.
• To describe the molecular functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) transcribed from these sites.
• To highlight the role of the heat stress response as a model for studying lncRNA regulation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on HSF1 binding sites and associated lncRNAs.
• Analysis of reported non-coding genomic targets of HSF1.
• Synthesis of current knowledge on lncRNA function in stress response.

Main Results:

• HSF1 directly binds to diverse non-coding regions including Satellite DNA, telomeric repeats, SINE repeats, enhancers, and the NEAT1 gene.
• lncRNAs transcribed from these HSF1-bound sites are involved in the cellular stress response.
• These findings expand the known regulatory roles of HSF1 beyond protein-coding genes.

Conclusions:

• HSF1 plays a significant role in regulating non-coding genomic elements during heat shock.
• The heat stress response provides a valuable framework for investigating the functions of lncRNAs originating from both repetitive and unique DNA regions.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the modes of action of these stress-induced lncRNAs.