HspB1 Overexpression Improves Life Span and Stress Resistance in an Invertebrate Model. Issue 2 (5th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alexander, Courtney Carroll; Munkáscy, Erin; Tillmon, Haven; Fraker, Tamara; Scheirer, Jessica; Holstein, Deborah; Lozano, Damian; Khan, Maruf; Gidalevitz, Tali; Lechleiter, James D; Fisher, Alfred L; Zare, Habil; Rodriguez, Karl A
• Editors: Anderson, Rozalyn M
• Is Part Of: Journals of gerontology. Volume 77:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 268
• Page End: 275
• Publication Date: 2021-10-05
• Subjects: hspb1 -- skn-1 -- Collagen -- Caenorhabditis elegans -- Naked mole-rat; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab296
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-5006

Abstract

Abstract: To explore the role of the small heat shock protein beta 1 (HspB1, also known as Hsp25 in rodents and Hsp27 in humans) in longevity, we created a Caenorhabiditis elegans model with a high level of ubiquitous expression of the naked mole-rat HspB1 protein. The worms showed increased life span under multiple conditions and also increased resistance to heat stress. RNAi experiments suggest that HspB1-induced life extension is dependent on the transcription factors skn-1 (Nrf2) and hsf-1 (Hsf1). RNAseq from HspB1 worms showed an enrichment in several skn-1 target genes, including collagen proteins and lysosomal genes. Expression of HspB1 also improved functional outcomes regulated by SKN-1, specifically oxidative stress resistance and pharyngeal integrity. This work is the first to link a small heat shock protein with collagen function, suggesting a novel role for HspB1 as a hub between canonical heat response signaling and SKN-1 transcription.