Nonesterified fatty acids may influence mitochondrial function by alterations in gene expression, metabolism, and/or mitochondrial Ca2+ ([Ca2+]m) homeostasis. We have previously reported that polyunsaturated fatty acids induce Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria, an action that may deplete [Ca2+]m and thus contribute to nonesterified fatty acid-responsive mitochondrial dysfunction. Here we show that the chaperone protein heat shock protein 90 β1 (hsp90β1) is required for polyunsaturated fatty acid-induced mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux (PIMCE). Retinoic acid induced differentiation of human teratocarcinoma NT2 cells in association with attenuation of PIMCE. Proteomic analysis of mitochondrial proteins revealed that hsp90β1, among other proteins, was reduced in retinoic acid-differentiated cells. Blockade of PIMCE in NT2 cells by 17-(dimethylaminoethylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, a known inhibitor of the chaperone activity of hsp90, and hsp90β1 RNA interference demonstrated that hsp90β1 is essential for PIMCE. We also show localization of hsp90β1 in mitochondria by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Distinctive effects of inhibitors binding to the N or C terminus of hsp90 on PIMCE in isolated mitochondria suggested that the C terminus of hsp90β1 plays a critical role in PIMCE.
This work was supported by American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant 0235065N and National Institutes of Health Grant HL075011 (to B. X. Z.). This work represents partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree from the Fourth Military Medical University (H. Z.). The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked “advertisement” in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.
