Molecular Chaperones and the Nuclear Response to Stress

Abstract

Chaperones are a well conserved class of proteins that reside in many different cellular compartments. The nucleus is a compartment of special interest because it houses the genetic material and allows for the expression and maintenance of genes. Many chaperones localize to the nucleus under stress conditions. The current body of evidence indicates that the nuclear function of chaperones is similar to chaperone function in the cytoplasm. Emerging evidence on the nuclear import pathway for chaperones suggests that novel pathways exist that allow chaperones to enter the nucleus under conditions of environmental stress. One such pathway, the Hikeshi pathway, is responsible for the transport of HSP70 and possibly other molecular chaperones.