Study on the interventional effect and molecular mechanism of HSP72 in regulating oxidative stress by watermelon seed
Ziqi Yan1, Simeng Chen2, Chidimma Juliet Igbokwe3
1School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
Abstract:
Molecular docking and dynamics simulation techniques were used to analyze the binding capacity and stability of watermelon seed oligopeptides with heat shock protein 72 (HSP72), as well as the signaling pathway and mechanisms through cellular experiments. Computational simulation results indicated these peptides could form stable complexes with HSP72 through hydrogen bonds and other interactions, with the lowest free energy binding to RDPEER (-60.83 kcal/mol). In addition, by reducing HSP72 expression, RDPEER enhanced the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Moreover, RDPEER decreased the levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and nuclear factor kappa B subunit p65 (NF-κBp65), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), lipid peroxides (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS), increasing cell survival rate by 20 % compared to control. Therefore, this study demonstrates that watermelon seed peptides regulate the Nrf2/NF-κB signaling axis by targeting HSP72, thereby maintaining cellular homeostasis.
