Advances in the structures, mechanisms and targeting of molecular chaperones

Abstract Molecular chaperones, a class of complex client regulatory systems, play significant roles in the prevention of protein misfolding and abnormal aggregation, the modulation of protein homeostasis, and the protection of cells from damage under constantly changing environmental conditions. As...

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Main Authors: Jinying Gu, Yanyi He, Chenxi He, Qiuyue Zhang, Qifei Huang, Shangjun Bai, Ruoning Wang, Qidong You, Lei Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-03-01
Series:Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-025-02166-2
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author Jinying Gu
Yanyi He
Chenxi He
Qiuyue Zhang
Qifei Huang
Shangjun Bai
Ruoning Wang
Qidong You
Lei Wang
author_facet Jinying Gu
Yanyi He
Chenxi He
Qiuyue Zhang
Qifei Huang
Shangjun Bai
Ruoning Wang
Qidong You
Lei Wang
author_sort Jinying Gu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Molecular chaperones, a class of complex client regulatory systems, play significant roles in the prevention of protein misfolding and abnormal aggregation, the modulation of protein homeostasis, and the protection of cells from damage under constantly changing environmental conditions. As the understanding of the biological mechanisms of molecular chaperones has increased, their link with the occurrence and progression of disease has suggested that these proteins are promising targets for therapeutic intervention, drawing intensive interest. Here, we review recent advances in determining the structures of molecular chaperones and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) chaperone system complexes. We also describe the features of molecular chaperones and shed light on the complicated regulatory mechanism that operates through interactions with various co-chaperones in molecular chaperone cycles. In addition, how molecular chaperones affect diseases by regulating pathogenic proteins has been thoroughly analyzed. Furthermore, we focus on molecular chaperones to systematically discuss recent clinical advances and various drug design strategies in the preclinical stage. Recent studies have identified a variety of novel regulatory strategies targeting molecular chaperone systems with compounds that act through different mechanisms from those of traditional inhibitors. Therefore, as more novel design strategies are developed, targeting molecular chaperones will significantly contribute to the discovery of new potential drugs.
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series Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
spelling doaj-art-fbfa04f2d6c144b7be9e7a1aacb3cf972025-08-20T03:08:12ZengNature Publishing GroupSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy2059-36352025-03-0110114810.1038/s41392-025-02166-2Advances in the structures, mechanisms and targeting of molecular chaperonesJinying Gu0Yanyi He1Chenxi He2Qiuyue Zhang3Qifei Huang4Shangjun Bai5Ruoning Wang6Qidong You7Lei Wang8State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical UniversitySchool of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical UniversityAbstract Molecular chaperones, a class of complex client regulatory systems, play significant roles in the prevention of protein misfolding and abnormal aggregation, the modulation of protein homeostasis, and the protection of cells from damage under constantly changing environmental conditions. As the understanding of the biological mechanisms of molecular chaperones has increased, their link with the occurrence and progression of disease has suggested that these proteins are promising targets for therapeutic intervention, drawing intensive interest. Here, we review recent advances in determining the structures of molecular chaperones and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) chaperone system complexes. We also describe the features of molecular chaperones and shed light on the complicated regulatory mechanism that operates through interactions with various co-chaperones in molecular chaperone cycles. In addition, how molecular chaperones affect diseases by regulating pathogenic proteins has been thoroughly analyzed. Furthermore, we focus on molecular chaperones to systematically discuss recent clinical advances and various drug design strategies in the preclinical stage. Recent studies have identified a variety of novel regulatory strategies targeting molecular chaperone systems with compounds that act through different mechanisms from those of traditional inhibitors. Therefore, as more novel design strategies are developed, targeting molecular chaperones will significantly contribute to the discovery of new potential drugs.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-025-02166-2
spellingShingle Jinying Gu
Yanyi He
Chenxi He
Qiuyue Zhang
Qifei Huang
Shangjun Bai
Ruoning Wang
Qidong You
Lei Wang
Advances in the structures, mechanisms and targeting of molecular chaperones
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
title Advances in the structures, mechanisms and targeting of molecular chaperones
title_full Advances in the structures, mechanisms and targeting of molecular chaperones
title_fullStr Advances in the structures, mechanisms and targeting of molecular chaperones
title_full_unstemmed Advances in the structures, mechanisms and targeting of molecular chaperones
title_short Advances in the structures, mechanisms and targeting of molecular chaperones
title_sort advances in the structures mechanisms and targeting of molecular chaperones
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-025-02166-2
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