HSP60 possesses a GTPase activity and mediates protein folding with HSP10

Abstract The mammalian molecular chaperone, HSP60, plays an essential role in protein homeostasis through mediating protein folding and assembly. The structure and ATP-dependent function of HSP60 has been well established in recent studies. After ATP, GTP is the major cellular nucleotide. In this paper, we have investigated the role of GTP in the activity of HSP60. It was found that HSP60 has different properties with respect to allostery, complex formation and protein folding activity depending on the nucleoside triphosphate present. The presence of GTP slightly affected the ATPase activity of HSP60 during protein folding. These results provide clues as to the functional mechanism of the HSP60-HSP10 complex

Hsp60 Inhibitors and Modulators

In this chapter, we focus on the 60 KDa Heat Shock Protein (Hsp60) and discuss some of its biological, molecular and pathological features. The structural and mechanistic aspect of the Hsp60 folding cycle will be also presented. We further illustrate how Hsp60 may be involved in many diseases and therefore considered as an effective therapeutic or theranostic target. Finally, the state-of-the-art on the development of Hsp60 and bacterial GroEL inhibitors and modulators of their expression will be illustrated. This is discussed in the light of a negative chaperonotherapy, and the consequent development of inhibitors, as well as positive chaperonotherapy, in the event its excessive activity is a disease-contrasting event