Keratin 8/18 regulation of insulin receptor signaling and trafficking in hepatocytes through a concerted phosphoinositide-dependent Akt and Rab5 modulation.

Keratins (Ks) are epithelial cell intermediate filament (IF) proteins that are expressed as pairs in a differentiation-regulated manner. Hepatocyte IFs are made only of K8/K18 pairs, which means that a K8 loss in K8-null mice leads to degradation of K18. Functionally, there is accumulating evidence that IFs contribute to signaling platforms. Here, we investigate the role of K8/K18 IFs in the regulation of insulin receptor (IR) signaling and trafficking in hepatocytes. We find that the IR substrate 1 (IRS1)/PI3K/Akt signaling cascade-downstream of IR-displays prolonged activation in K8-null compared with wild-type hepatocytes. Assessment of the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1-mediated feedback loop to IRS1/PI3K, in the absence or presence of drug inhibitors, further supports a preferential K8/K18 IF intervention at the surface membrane. In K8-null hepatocytes, IR trafficking vesicles that are labeled by Rab5/EEA1/phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate accumulate at a juxtanuclear region via a microtubule-dependent process. Moreover, interference with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate signaling aggravates IR/Rab5 accumulation. Overall, results uncover K8/K18 IF regulation of IR signaling via a concerted modulation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate-dependent IRS1/PI3K/Akt signaling and Rab5/phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate/microtubule trafficking in hepatocytes.-Roux, A., Loranger, A., Lavoie, J. N., Marceau, N. Keratin 8/18 regulation of insulin receptor signaling and trafficking in hepatocytes through a concerted phosphoinositide-dependent Akt and Rab5 modulation.

Keratin impact on PKCδ- and ASMase-mediated regulation of hepatocyte lipid raft size - implication for FasR-associated apoptosis.

Keratins are epithelial cell intermediate filament (IF) proteins that are expressed as pairs in a cell-differentiation-regulated manner. Hepatocytes express the keratin 8 and 18 pair (denoted K8/K18) of IFs, and a loss of K8 or K18, as in K8-null mice, leads to degradation of the keratin partner. We have previously reported that a K8/K18 loss in hepatocytes leads to altered cell surface lipid raft distribution and more efficient Fas receptor (FasR, also known as TNFRSF6)-mediated apoptosis. We demonstrate here that the absence of K8 or transgenic expression of the K8 G62C mutant in mouse hepatocytes reduces lipid raft size. Mechanistically, we find that the lipid raft size is dependent on acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase, also known as SMPD1) enzyme activity, which is reduced in absence of K8/K18. Notably, the reduction of ASMase activity appears to be caused by a less efficient redistribution of surface membrane PKCδ toward lysosomes. Moreover, we delineate the lipid raft volume range that is required for an optimal FasR-mediated apoptosis. Hence, K8/K18-dependent PKCδ- and ASMase-mediated modulation of lipid raft size can explain the more prominent FasR-mediated signaling resulting from K8/K18 loss. The fine-tuning of ASMase-mediated regulation of lipid rafts might provide a therapeutic target for death-receptor-related liver diseases.

Impact of keratin intermediate filaments on insulin-mediated glucose metabolism regulation in the liver and disease association.

In all cells, a tight regulation exists between glucose uptake and utilization to prevent diseases related to its perturbed metabolism. In insulin-targeted cells, such as hepatocytes, proper glucose utilization requires an elaborate interplay between the insulin receptor, the glucose transporter, and mitochondria that involves the participation of actin microfilaments and microtubules. In addition, there is increasing evidence of an involvement of the third cytoskeletal network provided by intermediate filaments (IFs). Keratins belong to the multigene family of IF proteins, coordinately expressed as distinct pairs within the context of epithelial cell differentiation. Hepatocyte IFs are made up of the [keratin (K)8/K18] pair only, whereas pancreatic ß-cell IFs additionally include small amounts of K7. There are accumulating examples of K8/K18 involvement in the glucose-insulin cross-talk, including the modulation of plasma glucose levels, insulin release from pancreatic ß-cells, and insulin-mediated glucose uptake and glycogen production in hepatocytes after a K8/K18 loss. This review integrates the mechanistic features that support such an impact of K8/K18 IFs on insulin-dependent glucose metabolism regulation in liver and its implication in glucose- or insulin-associated diseases.

Keratin 8 is required for the maintenance of architectural structure in thymus epithelium.

Keratins (Ks), the intermediate filament (IF) proteins of epithelia, are coordinately expressed as pairs in a cell-lineage and differentiation manner. Cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) predominantly express the simple epithelium keratin 8/18 (K8/K18) pair, whereas medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) express the stratified epithelium K5/K14 pair, with TECs exhibiting K5 and K8 at the cortico-medullary junction in mature thymus. In the work reported here, we used wild-type (WT) and K8-knockout (K8-null) mice to address the contribution of K8/K18 IFs in the maintenance of the thymic epithelial structure. K8-null thymus maintained the differential cell segregation at the cortex versus the medulla observed in WT thymus, and the distribution of immature thymocytes at the cortex. The K8/K18 loss did not affect thymocyte development. However, it massively perturbed the TEC morphology both at the cortex and the medulla, along with a prominent depletion of cTECs. Such tissue alterations coincided with an increase in apoptosis and a reduced expression of Albatross (Fas-binding factor-1), also known for its capacity to bind K8/18 IFs. In addition, the K8/K18 loss affected the distribution of K5/K14-positive mTECs, but not their differentiation status. Together, the results indicate that K8/K18 IFs constitute key promoters of the thymic epithelium integrity.

Keratin 8/18 regulation of glucose metabolism in normal versus cancerous hepatic cells through differential modulation of hexokinase status and insulin signaling.

As differentiated cells, hepatocytes primarily metabolize glucose for ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation of glycolytic pyruvate, whereas proliferative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells undergo a metabolic shift to aerobic glycolysis despite oxygen availability. Keratins, the intermediate filament (IF) proteins of epithelial cells, are expressed as pairs in a lineage/differentiation manner. Hepatocyte and HCC (hepatoma) cell IFs are made solely of keratins 8/18 (K8/K18), thus providing models of choice to address K8/K18 IF functions in normal and cancerous epithelial cells. Here, we demonstrate distinctive increases in glucose uptake, glucose-6-phosphate formation, lactate release, and glycogen formation in K8/K18 IF-lacking hepatocytes and/or hepatoma cells versus their respective IF-containing counterparts. We also show that the K8/K18-dependent glucose uptake/G6P formation is linked to alterations in hexokinase I/II/IV content and localization at mitochondria, with little effect on GLUT1 status. In addition, we find that the insulin-stimulated glycogen formation in normal hepatocytes involves the main PI-3 kinase-dependent signaling pathway and that the K8/K18 IF loss makes them more efficient glycogen producers. In comparison, the higher insulin-dependent glycogen formation in K8/K18 IF-lacking hepatoma cells is associated with a signaling occurring through a mTOR-dependent pathway, along with an augmentation in cell proliferative activity. Together, the results uncover a key K8/K18 regulation of glucose metabolism in normal and cancerous hepatic cells through differential modulations of mitochondrial HK status and insulin-mediated signaling.

Keratin 8/18 regulation of cell stiffness-extracellular matrix interplay through modulation of Rho-mediated actin cytoskeleton dynamics.

Cell mechanical activity generated from the interplay between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the actin cytoskeleton is essential for the regulation of cell adhesion, spreading and migration during normal and cancer development. Keratins are the intermediate filament (IF) proteins of epithelial cells, expressed as pairs in a lineage/differentiation manner. Hepatic epithelial cell IFs are made solely of keratins 8/18 (K8/K18), hallmarks of all simple epithelia. Notably, our recent work on these epithelial cells has revealed a key regulatory function for K8/K18 IFs in adhesion/migration, through modulation of integrin interactions with ECM, actin adaptors and signaling molecules at focal adhesions. Here, using K8-knockdown rat H4 hepatoma cells and their K8/K18-containing counterparts seeded on fibronectin-coated substrata of different rigidities, we show that the K8/K18 IF-lacking cells lose their ability to spread and exhibit an altered actin fiber organization, upon seeding on a low-rigidity substratum. We also demonstrate a concomitant reduction in local cell stiffness at focal adhesions generated by fibronectin-coated microbeads attached to the dorsal cell surface. In addition, we find that this K8/K18 IF modulation of cell stiffness and actin fiber organization occurs through RhoA-ROCK signaling. Together, the results uncover a K8/K18 IF contribution to the cell stiffness-ECM rigidity interplay through a modulation of Rho-dependent actin organization and dynamics in simple epithelial cells.

Cytoskeleton keratin regulation of FasR signaling through modulation of actin/ezrin interplay at lipid rafts in hepatocytes.

FasR stimulation by Fas ligand leads to rapid formation of FasR microaggregates, which become signaling protein oligomerization transduction structures (SPOTS), through interactions with actin and ezrin, a structural step that triggers death-inducing signaling complex formation, in association with procaspase-8 activation. In some cells, designated as type I, caspase 8 directly activates effector caspases, whereas in others, known as type II, the caspase-mediated death signaling is amplified through mitochondria. Keratins are the intermediate filament (IF) proteins of epithelial cells, expressed as pairs in a lineage/differentiation manner. Hepatocyte IFs are made solely of keratins 8/18 (K8/K18), the hallmark of all simple epithelia. We have shown recently that in comparison to type II wild-type (WT) mouse hepatocytes, the absence of K8/K18 IFs in K8-null hepatocytes leads to more efficient FasR-mediated apoptosis, in link with a type II/type I-like switch in FasR-death signaling. Here, we demonstrate that the apoptotic process occurring in type I-like K8-null hepatocytes is associated with accelerated SPOTS elaboration at surface membrane, along with manifestation of FasR cap formation and internalization. In addition, the lipid raft organization is altered in K8-null hepatocytes. While lipid raft inhibition impairs SPOTS formation in both WT and K8-null hepatocytes, the absence of K8/K18 IFs in the latter sensitizes SPOTS to actin de-polymerization, and perturbs ezrin compartmentalization. Overall, the results indicate that the K8/K18 IF loss in hepatocytes alters the initial FasR activation steps through perturbation of ezrin/actin interplay and lipid raft organization, which leads to a type II/type I switch in FasR-death signaling.

Measuring integrated cellular mechanical stress response at focal adhesions by optical tweezers.

The ability of cells to sustain mechanical stress is largely modulated by the cytoskeleton. We present a new application of optical tweezers to study cell's mechanical properties. We trap a fibronectin-coated bead attached to an adherent H4II-EC3 rat hepatoma cell in order to apply the force to the cell surface membrane. The bead position corresponding to the cell's local mechanical response at focal adhesions is measured with a quadrant detector. We assessed the cell response by tracking the evolution of the equilibrium force for 40 cells selected at random and selected a temporal window to assess the cell initial force expression at focal adhesions. The mean value of the force within this time window over 40 randomly selected bead∕cell bounds was 52.3 pN. Then, we assessed the responses of the cells with modulation of the cytoskeletons, namely the ubiquitous actin-microfilaments and microtubules, plus the differentiation-dependent keratin intermediate filaments. Notably, a destabilization of the first two networks led to around 50 and 30% reductions in the mean equilibrium forces, respectively, relative to untreated cells, whereas a loss of the third one yielded a 25% increase. The differences in the forces from untreated and treated cells are resolved by the optical tweezers experiment.

Keratin 8/18 modulation of protein kinase C-mediated integrin-dependent adhesion and migration of liver epithelial cells.

Keratins are intermediate filament (IF) proteins of epithelial cells, expressed as pairs in a lineage/differentiation manner. Hepatocyte and hepatoma cell IFs are made solely of keratins 8/18 (K8/K18), the hallmark of all simple epithelia. Cell attachment/spreading (adhesion) and migration involve the formation of focal adhesions at sites of integrin interactions with extracellular matrix, actin adaptors such as talin and vinculin, and signaling molecules such as focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and member(s) of the protein kinase C (PKC) family. Here, we identify the novel PKCdelta as mediator of the K8/K18 modulation of hepatoma cell adhesion and migration. We also demonstrate a K8/K18-dependent relationship between PKCdelta and FAK activation through an integrin/FAK-positive feedback loop, in correlation with a reduced FAK time residency at focal adhesions. Notably, a K8/K18 loss results to a time course modulation of the receptor of activated C-kinase-1, beta1-integrin, plectin, PKC, and c-Src complex formation. Although the K8/K18 modulation of hepatocyte adhesion also occurs through a PKC mediation, these differentiated epithelial cells exhibit minimal migrating ability, in link with marked differences in protein partner content and distribution. Together, these results uncover a key regulatory function for K8/K18 IFs in the PKC-mediated integrin/FAK-dependent adhesion and migration of simple epithelial cells.

Switch in Fas-activated death signaling pathway as result of keratin 8/18-intermediate filament loss.

Fas-induced apoptosis is initiated through the recruitment of FADD and procaspase 8 to form the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC). In some cells (type I cells) the initiator caspase 8 directly activates effector caspases such as procaspase 3, whereas in others (type II cells) the death signal is amplified through mitochondria. In epithelial cells, Fas-induced hierarchic caspase activation is also linked with DEDD, a member of the DED family that binds to keratin (K) intermediate filaments (IFs). Hepatocytes are type II cells and their IFs are made exclusively of K8/K18. We have shown previously that K8-null mouse hepatocytes, lacking K8/K18 IFs, are more sensitive than their wild-type counterparts to Fas-induced apoptosis. Here, by examining the cell-death kinetics and death-signaling ordering, we found that K8-null hepatocytes exhibited prominent DISC formation, higher procaspase 8 activation and direct procaspase 3 activation as reported for type I cells; however they experienced a reduced Bid cleavage and a stronger procaspase 9 activation. In addition, the K8/K18 loss altered the DEDD ubiquitination status and nuclear/cytoplasmic distribution. Together, the results suggest that the K8/K18 loss induces a switch in Fas-induced death signaling, likely through a DEDD involvement.

Keratin contribution to cellular mechanical stress response at focal adhesions as assayed by laser tweezers.

The ability of adherent cells to sense and adapt to a mechanical stress generated at focal adhesions (FAs) largely occurs through the integrin-mediated interaction between the cytoskeleton, namely actin microfilaments, and extracellular matrix elements, like fibronectin. Here we assessed the contribution of keratin 8 and 18 (K8/K18) intermediate filaments (IFs) in simple epithelial cells in response to a mechanical stress applied on integrins at FAs. To this end, we used monolayer cultures of K8-knockdown H4-II-E-C3 (shK8b1) rat hepatoma cells and their K8/K18-containing counterparts (H4ev). The stress was generated with a laser tweezers mediated force applied on a fibronectin-coated polystyrene bead attached to integrins alpha5/beta1 forming FAs. Measurement of the bead displacement allowed assessment of the viscoelastic response at FAs and the associated surface membrane stiffness. Notably, the loss of K8/K18 IFs in shK8b1 cells revealed an immediate reduction in bead displacements characteristic of a sudden increased in the FA elastic stiffness, incompatible with the K8/K18 IF intrinsic viscoelastic features, but in line with an induced perturbation of the mechanotransduction signals triggered at integrins. In addition, actin microfilament disruption, and to a lesser extent microtubule disruption, led to prominent decreases in the elastic stiffness of FAs, thus identifying actin-MFs and MTs as modulators of the time-dependent FA stiffening in both H4ev cells and shK8b1 cells, in response to mechanical stress. On technical ground, the laser tweezers offer a tool of choice to delineate the K8/K18 IF-mediated modulation of cytoskeletal versus signaling activities at FAs in epithelial cells in response to mechanical stress.

Keratin-protein kinase C interaction in reactive oxygen species-induced hepatic cell death through mitochondrial signaling.

Keratins (Ks), the intermediate filament (IF) proteins of epithelia, constitute at least 20 cytoskeletal proteins subdivided into type I (K9-20) and type II (K1-K8) and expressed as type I/type II pairs in a cell differentiation manner. Hepatocyte IFs are made only of K8/K18, the hallmark of simple epithelial cells. We have shown previously that a K8/K18 loss leads to a modulation of apoptosis in Fas-stimulated mouse hepatocytes. Here we report that K8-knockout mouse hepatocytes and K8-knockdown H4-II-E-C3 (shK8b1) rat hepatoma cells were much more resistant than their K8/K18-containing counterparts, wild-type hepatocytes, and H4ev hepatoma cells, in response to excess H2O2 or tert-butyl hydroperoxide, a ROS generator. While excess H2O2 altered glutathione (GSH) and ROS levels in H4ev versus shK8b1 cells, the differential death response was largely GSH level independent. Assessment of key cell death features revealed that hepatic cells exposed to H2O2 die through a mitochondrial involvement. Similarly, administration of the GSH depletor L-buthionine-sulfoximine to generate mitochondrial ROS-sensitized H4-II-E-C3 cells but not shK8b1 cells to death. Treatment with protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors yielded a resistance of H2O2-treated H4-II-E-C3 cells comparable to that of nontreated shK8b1 cells, which in turn were not affected by the treatment. In addition, this differential death response was associated with altered PKCdelta activation and surface-membrane/mitochondria distribution in H2O2-treated shK8b1 cells. Together, these results point to a key regulatory function for K8/K18 in ROS-induced mitochondria-mediated death through PKCdelta involvement in hepatic cells.

Dual roles of intermediate filaments in apoptosis.

New roles have emerged recently for intermediate filaments (IFs), namely in modulating cell adhesion and growth, and providing resistance to various forms of stress and to apoptosis. In this context, we first summarize findings on the IF association with the cell response to mechanical stress and growth stimulation, in light of growth-related signaling events that are relevant to death-receptor engagement. We then address the molecular mechanisms by which IFs can provide cell resistance to apoptosis initiated by death-receptor stimulation and to necrosis triggered by excessive oxidative stress. In the same way, we examine IF involvement, along with cytolinker participation, in sequential caspase-mediated protein cleavages that are part of the overall cell death execution, particularly those that generate new functional IF protein fragments and uncover neoantigen markers. Finally, we report on the usefulness of these markers as diagnostic tools for disease-related aspects of apoptosis in humans. Clearly, the data accumulated in recent years provide new and significant insights into the multiple functions of IFs, particularly their dual roles in cell response to apoptotic insults.

Keratins modulate hepatic cell adhesion, size and G1/S transition.

Keratins (Ks) are the intermediate filament (IF) proteins of epithelial cells. Hepatocyte IFs are made solely of keratins 8 and 18 (K8/K18), the hallmark of all simple epithelia. While K8/K18 are essential for maintaining structural integrity, there is accumulating evidence indicating that they also exert non-mechanical functions. We have reported recently that K8/K18-free hepatocytes from K8-null mice are more sensitive to Fas-mediated apoptosis, in line with an increased Fas density at the cell surface and an altered c-Flip regulation of the anti-apoptotic ERK1/2 signaling pathway. In the present study, we show that K8-null hepatocytes attach more rapidly but spread more slowly on a fibronectin substratum and undergo a more efficient G1/S transition than wild-type hepatocytes. Moreover, plectin, an IF associated protein, receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), a plectin partner, and vinculin, a key component of focal adhesions, distribute differently in spreading K8-null hepatocytes. Cell seeding leads to no differential activation of ERK1/2 in WT versus K8-null hepatocytes, whereas a stronger Akt activation is detected in K8-null hepatocytes. Insulin stimulation also leads to a differential Akt activation, implying altered Akt signaling capacity as a result of the K8/K18 loss. In addition, a delayed autophosphorylation of FAK, a target for integrin beta1 signaling, was obtained in seeding K8-null hepatocytes. These alterations in cell cycle-related events in hepatocytes in primary culture are also found in a K8-knockdown H4-II-E-C3 rat hepatoma cell line. Besides, K8/K18-free cells are smaller and exhibit a reduced rate of protein synthesis. In addition, a distinctive cyclin interplay is observed in these K8/K18-free hepatic cells, namely a more efficient cyclin A-dependent G1/S phase transition. Furthermore, K8 re-expression in these cells, following transfer of a human K8 cDNA, restores proper cell size, spreading and growth. Together, these results suggest new interrelated signaling roles of K8/18 with plectin/RACK1 in the modulation of cell attachment/spreading, size/protein synthesis and G1/S transition.

Keratin 8 modulation of desmoplakin deposition at desmosomes in hepatocytes.

Keratins, the intermediate filament proteins of epithelial cells, connect to desmosomes, the cell-cell adhesion structures at the surface membrane. The building elements of desmosomes include desmoglein and desmocollin, which provide the actual cell adhesive properties, and desmoplakins, which anchor the keratin intermediate filaments to desmosomes. In the work reported here, we address the role of keratin 8 in modulating desmoplakin deposition at surface membrane in mouse hepatocytes. The experimental approach is based on the use of keratin 8- and keratin 18-null mouse hepatocytes as cell models. In wild-type mouse hepatocytes, desmoplakin is aligned with desmoglein and keratin 8 at the surface membrane. In keratin 8-null hepatocytes, the intermediate filament loss leads to alterations in desmoplakin distribution at the surface membrane, but not of desmoglein. Intriguingly, a significant proportion of keratin 18-null hepatocytes express keratin 8 at the surface membrane, associated with a proper desmoplakin alignment with desmoglein at desmosomes. A Triton treatment of the monolayer reveals that most of the desmoplakin present in either wild-type, keratin 8- or keratin 18-null hepatocytes is insoluble. Deletion analysis of keratin 8 further suggests that the recovery of desmoplakin alignment requires the keratin 8 rod domain. In addition, similarly to other works revealing a key role of desmoplakin phosphorylation on its interaction with intermediate filaments, we find that the phosphorylation status of the keratin 8 head domain affects desmoplakin distribution at desmosomes. Together, the data indicate that a proper alignment/deposition of desmoplakin with keratins and desmoglein in hepatocytes requires keratin 8, through a reciprocal phosphoserine-dependent process.

Keratins modulate c-Flip/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 antiapoptotic signaling in simple epithelial cells.

Among the large family of intermediate filament proteins, the keratin 8 and 18 (K8/K18) pair constitutes a hallmark for all simple epithelial cells, such as hepatocytes and mammary cells. Functional studies with different cell models have suggested that K8/K18 are involved in simple epithelial cell resistance to several forms of stress that may lead to cell death. We have reported recently that K8/K18-deprived hepatocytes from K8-null mice are more sensitive to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Here we show that upon Fas, tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor, or tumor necrosis factor alpha-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor stimulation, an inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) activation sensitizes wild-type but not K8-null mouse hepatocytes to apoptosis and that a much weaker ERK1/2 activation occurs in K8-null hepatocytes. In turn, this impaired ERK1/2 activation in K8-null hepatocytes is associated with a drastic reduction in c-Flip protein, an event that also holds in a K8-null mouse mammary cell line. c-Flip, along with Raf-1, is part of a K8/K18-immunoisolated complex from wild-type hepatocytes, and Fas stimulation leads to further c-Flip and Raf-1 recruitment in the complex. This points to a new regulatory role of simple epithelium keratins in the c-Flip/ERK1/2 antiapoptotic signaling pathway.

Distinct chaperone mechanisms can delay the formation of aggresomes by the myopathy-causing R120G alphaB-crystallin mutant.

A familial form of desmin-related myopathy (DRM) is associated with a missense mutation (R120G) in alphaB-crystallin (alphaB) and is characterized by intracellular desmin aggregation. Because alphaB is a molecular chaperone that participates in the assembly of desmin filaments, it has been suggested that the desmin aggregation might be due to the loss of alphaB function. We report here that alphaBR120G has indeed impaired in vivo function and structure as reflected by a highly reduced capacity to protect cells against heat shock and by an abnormal supramolecular organization even in cells not expressing desmin. In many cells, alphaBR120G accumulated in inclusion bodies that had characteristics of aggresomes concentrating around the centrosome following a microtubule-facilitated process. Three distinct chaperone mechanisms could reduce or even prevent the formation of the alphaBR120G aggresomes. Wild-type alphaB and Hsp27 prevented aggresome formation by co-oligomerizing with alphaBR120G. Hsp70 with its co-chaperone Hdj-1 or Chip-1 but not a mutant of Chip-1 lacking ubiquitin ligase activity, reduced the frequency of aggresome formation likely by targeting alphaBR120G for degradation. Finally, HspB8 interacted only transiently with alphaB but nonetheless rescued the alphaBR120G oligomeric organization, suggesting that it acted as a true chaperone assisting in the folding of the mutant protein. Hence, the formation of inclusion bodies in alphaBR120G-mediated DRM is probably due to the misfolding of alphaBR120G per se and can be delayed or prevented by expression of the wild type alphaB allele or other molecular chaperones, thereby explaining the adult onset of the disease.