The cardioprotective role of small heat shock protein 20

Martin, Tamara and Currie, Susan and Baillie, George (2014) The cardioprotective role of small heat shock protein 20. Biochemical Society Transactions, 42 (2). pp. 270-273. ISSN 0300-5127 (https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20130272)

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Abstract

The small HSP (heat-shock protein) HSP20 is a molecular chaperone that is transiently up-regulated in response to cellular stress/damage. Although ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, it is most highly expressed in skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle. Phosphorylation at Ser16 by PKA (cAMP-dependent protein kinase) is essential for HSP20 to confer its protective qualities. HSP20 and its phosphorylation have been implicated in a variety of pathophysiological processes, but most prominently cardiovascular disease. A wealth of knowledge of the importance of HSP20 in contractile function and cardioprotection has been gained over the last decade. The present mini-review highlights more recent findings illustrating the cardioprotective properties of HSP20 and its potential as a therapeutic agent.