Neat1 in hematopoietic stem cells.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) generate blood and immune cells through a hierarchical process of differentiation. Genes that regulate this process are of great interest for understanding normal and also malignant hematopoiesis. Surprisingly, however, very little is known about long-non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) in HSCs. Neat1 is a lncRNA that plays a major role in the formation of sub-nuclear structures called paraspeckles, and was reported to regulate proliferation and differentiation in other cells types. We detected Neat1 expression using RNA-seq data and RT-qPCR in HSCs, progenitors and effector immune cells, by specific detection of its isoforms. Neat1 is highly expressed in stem and progenitor cells, yet it shows significant reduction in granulocytes. Microscopically, Neat1 is detected as sharp nuclear foci. Paraspeckle proteins NONO and PSPC1 are detected as aggregated nuclear foci in fresh primary hematopoietic cells, and in cultured cells. Induction of differentiation in vitro was found to enhance Neat1 expression. Taken together, our data demonstrate for the first time the expression of Neat1 and paraspeckles formation in HSCs and along hematopoiesis

The remarkable multivalency of the Hsp70 chaperones

Hsp70 proteins are key to maintaining intracellular protein homeostasis. To carry out this task, they employ a large number of cochaperones and adapter proteins. Here, we review what is known about the interaction between the chaperones and partners, with a strong slant toward structural biology. Hsp70s in general, and Hsc70 (HSPA8) in particular, display an amazing array of interfaces with their protein cofactors. We also review the known interactions between Hsp70s with lipids and with active compounds that may become leads toward Hsp70 modulation for treatment of a variety of diseases