Heat Shock Protein 27 Inhibits Apoptosis by Binding Cytochrome c

摘要

The purpose of this research project is to investigate the interaction between heat shock protein 27 (hsp27) and cytochrome c in the inhibition of apoptosis. The scope of the study was to include: measuring the binding of hsp27 to cytochrome c in vivo, determining why hsp27 binds to cytochrome c and determining the fate of the hsp27:cytochrome c complex. Major findings include cellular survival curves to cytochrome C, ATP, FAD and NAD. All electron carriers were cytotoxic to human breast cancer cell lines, with FAD being the most cytotoxic. This finding could have applications in the treatment of breast cancer. Molecular chaperone assays with hsp27 and alphaglucosidase and citrate synthase indicate that hsp27 binds to cytochrome c in a non-specific manner.