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Journal article
MAPKAP kinase 2–mediated phosphorylation of HspA1L protects male germ cells from heat stress–induced apoptosis
Cell stress & chaperones, v 24(6), pp 1127-1136
2019
PMID: 31642047
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Developing male germ cells are extremely sensitive to heat stress; consequently, anatomic and physiologic adaptations have evolved to maintain proper thermoregulation during mammalian spermatogenesis. At the cellular level, increased expression and activity of HSP70 family members occur in response to heat stress in order to refold partially denatured proteins and restore function. In addition, several kinase-mediated signaling pathways are activated in the testis upon hyperthermia. The p38 MAP kinase (MAPK) pathway plays an important role in mitigating heat stress, and recent findings have implicated the downstream p38 substrate, MAPKAP kinase 2 (MK2), in this process. However, the precise function that this kinase plays in spermatogenesis is not completely understood. Using a proteomics-based screen, we identified and subsequently validated that the testis-enriched HSP70 family member, HspA1L, is a novel substrate of MK2. We demonstrate that MK2 phosphorylates HspA1L solely on Ser241, a residue within the N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain of the enzyme. This phosphorylation event enhances the chaperone activity of HspA1L in vitro and renders male germ cells more resistant to heat stress–induced apoptosis. Taken together, these findings illustrate a novel stress-induced signaling cascade that promotes the chaperone activity of HspA1L with implications for understanding male reproductive biology.
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Details
- Title
- MAPKAP kinase 2–mediated phosphorylation of HspA1L protects male germ cells from heat stress–induced apoptosis
- Creators
- Patrick A. Williams - Drexel UniversityHeather E. Kobilnyk - Drexel UniversityEmily A. McMillan - Drexel UniversityTodd I. Strochlic - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Cell stress & chaperones, v 24(6), pp 1127-1136
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000494171200002
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85074017104
- Other Identifier
- 991019167600504721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Cell Biology