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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.02.17.528950

Hsp70/Hsp90 organizing protein (HOP) maintains CRAF kinase activity and regulates MAPK signaling by enhancing Hsp90-CRAF association

Gayen, N.·Mitra, S.·Roy, S.·Mandal, A. K.
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Abstract

The stability and activity of CRAF kinase are stringently regulated by heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). Hsp90-mediated client folding and maturation is governed by its co-chaperones, but their functionality in chaperoning CRAF/Raf1 kinase to accomplish signaling under physiological conditions remains poorly understood. Here, we show that Hsp70/Hsp90 organizing protein (HOP) associates with CRAF kinase for maintaining its kinase activity and facilitates the activation of the MAPK pathway. Such activation is mediated by TPR2A-2B-DP2 domain of HOP and requires efficient binding to Hsp90. Being a recruiter of Hsp90, Cdc37 is unable to supplement the function of HOP/Sti1. Downregulation of HOP/Sti1 in yeast and in vitro cell culture significantly reduces the CRAF signaling. Our data suggest that Hsp90 is recruited to CRAF in two steps, separately initiated by co-chaperones HOP and Cdc37 respectively during CRAF folding/maturation, and again upon CRAF activation mediated by HOP during MAPK signaling. Therefore, HOP is a regulator of CRAF kinase during activation of MAPK pathway and serves as a sensor of growth signaling beyond its client folding and maturation function.

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Gayen, N., Mitra, S., Roy, S., Mandal, A. K.. 2023-02-17. Hsp70/Hsp90 organizing protein (HOP) maintains CRAF kinase activity and regulates MAPK signaling by enhancing Hsp90-CRAF association. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02.17.528950

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