Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, characterised by intra- and extracellular protein aggregation. In AD, the cellular protein quality control (PQC) system is derailed and fails to prevent the formation of these aggregates. Especially the mitochondrial paralogue of the conserved Hsp90 chaperone class, tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1), is strongly downregulated in AD, more than other major PQC factors. Here, we review molecular mechanism and cellular function of TRAP1 and subsequently discuss possible links to AD. TRAP1 is an interesting paradigm for the Hsp90 family, as it chaperones proteins with vital cellular function, despite not being regulated by any of the co-chaperones that drive its cytosolic paralogues. TRAP1 encloses late folding intermediates in a non-active state. Thereby, it is involved in the assembly of the electron transport chain, and it favours the switch from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. Another key function is that it ensures mitochondrial integrity by regulating the mitochondrial pore opening through Cyclophilin D. While it is still unclear whether TRAP1 itself is a driver or a passenger in AD, it might be a guide to identify key factors initiating neurodegeneration.
Introduction
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is characterised by progressive cognitive decline (; ; Weller and Budson, 2018). While widely investigated, there is still no cure available, only treatments providing symptomatic relief (Yiannopoulou and Papageorgiou, 2013; ; Long and Holtzman, 2019). Age is the single most risk enlarging factor, increasing prevalence of the disease with the increasing age of citizens (). Major hallmarks of AD are two protein aggregates found in the brain; β-amyloid (Aβ) forming extracellular senile plaques (SPs) and Tau proteins forming neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) inside the cell (Kidd 1963; ; Panza et al., 2019).
The formation of aggregates, such as NFTs and SPs in AD, constitutes a malfunctioning of the cellular Protein Quality Control (PQC) (Miller et al., 2015; Mok et al., 2018). This system can help the (re)folding of proteins, avoid the formation of aggregates, aid in translocating proteins, and degrade proteins when they are beyond repair (; Koren III et al., 2009; ). PQC capacity decreases during aging (; ). This decline further amplifies in the brains of AD’s patients (; Xu et al., 2019; Koopman and Rüdiger, 2020). Therefore, the PQC system is a potential target for novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases caused by protein aggregation such as Alzheimer’s Disease ().
The AD-brain shows distinctive alterations in the protein quality network, including downregulation of all four paralogues of the major chaperone family: Hsp90 (Xu et al., 2019; Koopman and Rüdiger, 2020). Molecular chaperones, such as Hsp90s, are proteins that assist in and control protein folding and unfolding in the cell. Notably, the brain tissues most severely affected in AD, the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex and cingulate gyrus, show the strongest alterations in Hsp90 levels (Figure 1A). Remarkably, although Tau aggregation of AD is taking place in the cytosol, it is the mitochondrial tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) that is most severely down-regulated in all regions of the brain, with a reduction of 31% in the sensory cortex, 27% in the hippocampus and 21% in the cingulate gyrus (Figure 1B) (Koopman and Rüdiger, 2020). For comparison, its cytosolic paralogues show the strongest reduction in levels of up to 19% in the entorhinal cortex (Koopman and Rüdiger, 2020).
FIGURE 1
The Hsp90 chaperone family is present in the main folding compartments of the cell, cytoplasm, ER and mitochondria, and its members are linked to AD in various ways (Koren III et al., 2009; ). Hsp90 mediates for example the transcription of the precursor of Aβ and proteins involved in synaptic plasticity (). Most importantly, cytosolic Hsp90 controls Tau levels. Via cooperation with the E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP, it is involved in targeting Tau for proteosomal degradation in healthy neurons ().
The Hsp90 family is highly conserved in organisms varying from bacteria to mammals (). The acronym HSP refers to the historic discovery as Heat Shock Protein, and indeed some Hsp90s also act as stress proteins, which are upregulated by elevated temperatures, aggregates or other cell stress (Schopf et al., 2017). Hsp90s are also involved in cell survival, regulating apoptosis and transporting client proteins (Landriscina et al., 2010; Radli and Rüdiger, 2018; Schopf et al., 2017). The family consists of four paralogues which are predominantly available in their own cellular compartments (Figure 2) (Lettini et al., 2017). The two cytosolic paralogues, the stress-inducible HSP90α and constitutively expressed HSP90β, have a homology of 86% (Moore et al., 1989). GRP94 is located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is 50% identical to both HSP90s (Lettini et al., 2017). TRAP1 resides predominantly in mitochondria (). It is 60% similar to both HSP90s (Lettini et al., 2017). Interestingly, the mitochondrial function has been considered to be severely compromised in AD (; ), which further inspires to have a closer look at a possible role of TRAP1 or its clients in AD.
FIGURE 2
With this review, we aim to investigate the effect of the distortion of TRAP1 levels and its possible role in AD. We describe the Hsp90 family and how it functions in the PQC system, and we discuss mechanism and structure of TRAP1 in particular. We examine its role in mitochondrial PQC and it simplication for metabolism, ROS reduction and mitochondrial pore opening. Then, we look at the effects TRAP1-decline may have on the cell, such as stalk regulation and mitochondrial-ER crosstalk, and we discuss mechanisms to regulate this chaperone. Finally, we put the cellular function of TRAP1 in context to its downregulation in AD brain tissue and discuss potential implications.
TRAP1: Family and Function
Like all Hsp90 paralogues, TRAP1 consists of three conserved domains: the N-terminal domain (NTD), a middle domain (MD) the C-terminal domain (CTD) (Figure 2) (Kang, 2012). The CTD is responsible for inherent dimerisation, while the NTD can bind ATP and undergoes transient dimerisation (Prodromou, 2016). The first 59 amino acids of the N-terminus comprise the mitochondrial signal sequence. As many other matrix chaperones, the mechanism of action of TRAP1 is closely related to the bacterial homologue, HtpG (Shiau et al., 2006). Both TRAP1 and HtpG do not have any co-chaperones, unlike the cytosolic HSP90s (Zuehlke and Johnson, 2010). Additionally, both TRAP1 and HtpG lack a charged linker region that is present in all other forms of Hsp90 (). The bacterial homologue may thus present a good comparison for TRAP1.
In contrast to other Hsp90 paralogues, TRAP1 can form tetramers, as dimer of dimers (). Also, the bacterial HtpG can form tetramers, although it is unclear whether they have physiological relevance (Shiau et al., 2006). For TRAP1, however, there is a functional implication of tetramer formation, related to a role in metabolic regulation in the mitochondria (). Inhibition of the N-terminal ATPase of TRAP1 supports tetramer formation, indicating that modulation of the quaternary structure may be controlled by the functional cycle.
Client Recognition by the Hsp90 Family
Hsp90 chaperones support protein folding downstream of Hsp70 chaperones (Morán Luengo et al., 2018; ). Hsp90 releases an Hsp70-inflicted folding block, which promotes folding to the native state (Morán Luengo et al., 2018; Morán Luengo et al., 2019). In the eukaryotic cytosol, a plethora of co-chaperones recruits Hsp90 to specific tasks, in particular supporting folding and maturation of signalling proteins such as kinases and steroid receptors (Schopf et al., 2017). Strikingly, such co-chaperones are absent in mitochondria, and so are steroid receptors. The general substrate binding properties of the Hsp90 family, however, are conserved (Liu et al., 2020). Hsp90 family members do not recognise specific short sequence motifs, but instead scattered hydrophobicity as it is found in late folding intermediates or certain disordered proteins such as Tau or α-synuclein (Karagöz et al., 2014). Thus, binding to Hsp90 depends on the folding state of a protein (Radli and Rüdiger, 2018).
A cryo-EM structure of TRAP1 in complex with a 160 residues long N-terminal fragment of succinate dehydrogenase B (SdhB) and ATP provides insights into the molecular nature of TRAP1 substrate recognition (Liu et al., 2020). The TRAP1 dimers forms a horseshoe, in which the CTDs connect both halves and the NTDs form the tips (Figure 2). In the complex with SdhB1-160, the TRAP1 horseshoe is twisted around its own axis and the ATP-bound NTDs touch each other. A 21 residues long C-terminal stretch of the SdhB fragment (K137-L157) passes through the central cavity of the twisted horseshoe, while its N-terminal portion forms a globular N-terminal domain with little contact to TRAP1.
The central cavity of TRAP1 needs to bind to a diverse range of substrate proteins. The TRAP1-SdhB1-160 complex may disclose some general properties of TRAP1 specificity. This stretch has a content of 42% large hydrophobic (3 Leu, 1 Ile, 1 Val) or aromatic amino acids (1 Phe, 3 Tyr). This ratio of 1 in 2.4 residues is higher than average hydrophobicity in protein sequences (1 in 3.6) (Karagöz et al., 2014). Notably, only Tyr147 is involved in a specific interaction with a hydrophobic residue in TRAP1.
In the closed state, the overall substrate interaction is similar to that of cytosolic Hsp90 with the kinase Cdk4 and or with the ligand binding domain of glucocorticoid receptor (Verba et al., 2016; Noddings et al., 2020). In TRAP1 the substrate stretch trapped inside the horseshoe is partially helical, in the other cases it is unfolded. This indicates that this substrate binding mode is conserved between paralogues, including some build-in adaptability to a broad range of substrates. The TRAP1 complex is symmetric, the Hsp90 complexes with Cdk4 and the ligand binding domain are not, which may reflect more the spectrum of conformational diversity of Hsp90 clients than possible paralogue specific differences in specificity.
The TRAP1 ATPase Cycle
Hsp90 chaperones are ATPases, and the ATPase cycle regulates substrate influx, in particular substrate takeover from Hsp70 (Karagöz et al., 2014; Kirschke et al., 2014). ATP induces conformational changes that may influence the conformation of the bound client protein (Verba and Agard, 2017). The mechanism of action of TRAP1 follows a distinct cycle, which somewhat differs from the other Hsp90 paralogues (Matassa et al., 2012). TRAP1 adopts a closed-state conformation upon ATP binding (Leskovar et al., 2008). This is like the bacterial homologue, HtpG, while the eukaryotic cytoplasmatic paralogues require additional action of co-chaperones to induce the closed state (Leskovar et al., 2008). ATP closure leads to additional dimerization of the N-terminal domain via a coiled-coil interaction (Lavery et al., 2014). A two-step hydrolysis follows, and the dimer adopts an asymmetric conformation (Lavery et al., 2014). After ATP hydrolysis in one protomer, the dimer flips and remains in a closed state for the hydrolysis of the second ATP (). This asymmetry is linked to client binding (Sima and Richter, 2018).
Compared to cytosolic HSP90, the affinity of TRAP1 for ATP is one order of magnitude higher (Leskovar et al., 2008). The ATP turnover rate activity, however, is comparable to other Hsp90s (Sima and Richter, 2018). ATPase activity can be inhibited by small molecule pocket antagonists, such as geldanamycin and radicicol (; Matassa et al., 2012). These antagonists can also bind HSP90, which makes specific inhibition difficult (). Interestingly, the ATPase activity is inversely correlated with client recognition by TRAP1, which might be because of a recognition pattern nearby the ATP site ().
As for many other ATPases, bivalent cations support binding of the nucleotide by coordinating the phosphate groups (). Interestingly, while most Hsp90s only employ magnesium, TRAP1 can use both magnesium and calcium (). Calcium only is not enough to support hydrolysis in other Hsp90s (). Contrary to magnesium, calcium is able to act cooperatively, while magnesium acts noncooperatively (). The underlying mechanism on ATPase behaviour may thus be different compared to HSP90 ().
TRAP1 Lacks Co-Chaperones
Hsp90 chaperones act downstream of Hsp70 to break a folding block (Morán Luengo et al., 2018). This is an evolutionary conserved function of Hsp90s, established for the bacterial Hsp90, human HSP90α and the endoplasmic Grp94 (Pratt and Toft, 2003; Street et al., 2011; Morán Luengo et al., 2018; ; Morán Luengo et al., 2019). Given the conservation of the Hsp90 machine it is most likely this basic function also applies to TRAP1.
A major evolutionary difference between Hsp90s is regulation by co-chaperones. In the eukaryotic cytosol, Hsp90s are accompanied by co-chaperones that regulate the ATP cycle (e.g., p23 and Aha1), target Hsp90 towards specific substrates (e.g., Cdc37/p50 and Sgt1) or connect the machine via its C-terminal MEEVD motif to other cellular systems (e.g., CHIP and Hop; ). The mitochondrial TRAP1 lacks all of these, but so does the bacterial HtpG and the endoplasmic Grp94 (Masgras et al., 2017b). Thus, the bacterial HtpG represents a more suitable molecular paradigm to understand the mechanism of TRAP1 than the eukaryotic Hsp90. Like HtpG, the TRAP1 dimer closes immediately upon ATP binding (; Schopf et al., 2017).
TRAP1 and Mitochondrial Function
In contrast to its ubiquitously expressed paralogues, the expression of TRAP1 is largely restricted to the brain and testis, reflecting that both tissues are closely related (; Kang et al., 2007). TRAP1 supports folding and assembly of factors involved in the energy metabolism. TRAP1 knock-out (KO) induces an increase in mitochondrial respiration and ATP production, resulting in continuous exposure to an elevated level of oxidative stress (; ). TRAP1 KO-mice show similar phenotypes with decreased mitochondrial function (Yoshida et al., 2013; Zhang et al., 2015). Consequently, decreased levels of TRAP1 show increased mitochondrial apoptosis (). Conversely, increased expression comes with reduced cell death, which can be linked to the up-regulation of TRAP1 in tumours of various kinds (Siegelin, 2013). Notably, also cancer cells express TRAP1, which enhances cell proliferation (Kang et al., 2007; ). In fact, the role of TRAP1 and other Hsp90 chaperones in cancer is extensively studied and better understood than TRAP1 action in neurodegeneration (; Yuno et al., 2018; Taldone et al., 2020). TRAP1 acts as a cytoprotector of the mitochondria, based on three functions (Kang, 2012): 1) TRAP1 is crucial in inhibiting cell death by inhibiting CypD induced cytochrome C release into the cytosplasm (). 2) TRAP1 plays a major role in the mitochondrial PQC, loss of this control leads to autophagy (Siegelin et al., 2011; Labbadia et al., 2017). 3) TRAP1 disruption induces a metabolic shift towards glutamine metabolism, which points to TRAP1’s regulatory role in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) ().
TRAP1 Rewires the Metabolic System
TRAP1 interacts with proteins of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), which is part of the ATP synthesis cascade (Figure 3) (). Being the only Hsp90 in the mitochondria makes TRAP1 destined as prominent chaperone on PQC of the energy metabolism. Indeed, TRAP1 acts on the metabolic balance between oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and aerobic glycolysis (Yoshida et al., 2013; ). The chaperone may be seen as part of a metabolic switch that favours glycolysis over OXPHOS, which occurs often upon shortage of oxygen and is also known as the Warburg effect (Rasola et al., 2014). The upregulation of glycolysis has major consequences for the cell. First, mitochondrial respiration is decreased, as OXPHOS produces relatively more energy. Second, ROS, mainly produced during OXPHOS, are decreased. Third, more NADPH becomes available, which is an important ROS scavenger, thereby reducing ROS even further (Rasola et al., 2014). In fact, ROS contribute to the onset of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases (Morán et al., 2012; ; ).
FIGURE 3
The mechanism behind OXPHOS regulation can be explained by the association of TRAP1 with components of the ETC (Figure 3). The most important TRAP1 effects on the ETC are through the interaction with complex II (SDH) and complex IV (Rasola et al., 2014;
AD-related oxidative damaged is attributed to decreased complex IV activity (Morán et al., 2012). TRAP1 inhibits complex IV activity through direct interaction with the complex and interaction with mitochondrial Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase (c-Src) (Yoshida et al., 2013). c-Src is well-known as a membrane-associated kinase but can also reside in the mitochondria (Miyazaki et al., 2003; Ogura et al., 2012; Yoshida et al., 2013). This kinase can phosphorylate both complex IV as well as TRAP1 (Yoshida et al., 2013). By both direct and indirect—through c-Src—interaction, TRAP1 shifts metabolic balance to aerobic glycolysis, which impairs metabolic respiration (Yoshida et al., 2013; Rasola et al., 2014). HSP90 interacts with cytosolic c-Src, resulting in the maturation of this kinase, while c-Src itself phosphorylates Tyr-416 in the activation loop of HSP90 (Xu et al., 1999). TRAP1 may interact with mitochondrial c-Src in a similar fashion.
It may seem counter-intuitive that an Hsp90 chaperone should inhibit ETC complexes. This, however, would be similar to the function of its cytosolic paralogues. As Hsp90s are tailored to bind to late folding intermediates, formation of a stable complex with an Hsp90 family members may be designed to maintain a protein required for a specific switch on an inactive form (Schopf et al., 2017; Radli and Rüdiger, 2018). It than may only require a minimal modification to unleash an active protein changing the programme of the cell. Cytosolic examples are the Hsp90 complexes with Cdk4 and GR-LBD (Verba et al., 2016; Radli and Rüdiger, 2018; Noddings et al., 2020).
TRAP1 Protects Mitochondria From Oxidative Stress
A side reaction in the ETC leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Wang et al., 2013;
TRAP1 levels are inversely correlated with the presence of ROS. Overexpression of TRAP1 leads to a decrease in ROS, whereas TRAP1 decrease, induced with iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO), leads to ROS accumulation (
FIGURE 4

Graphical abstract of the TRAP1 pathway. TRAP1 is transcribed by HSF1, which is deactivated by the HSP90 complex. PINK1 phosphorylation can activate TRAP1, whereas GzmM can cleave TRAP1, thereby hindering TRAP1 activity. Downstream of TRAP1, multiple pathways can influence mitochondrial function and cellular viability. FLTR:TRAP1 interactor PHB2 is inhibited, reducing mitophagy. Stalk construction can be mediated through TNFR1, via STAT3 phosphorylation, activation of transcription factor E2F1, which transcribes N-cadherin responsible for calcium regulation and cell adhesion. Through inhibition of CypD, TRAP1 can prevent mitochondrial pore opening and release of Cyt c to the cytosol, which is critical in the prevention of apoptosis. TRAP1 can influence calcium regulation through Sorcin, which is essential to keep the mitochondrial pores close. By inhibiting c-Scr, TRAP1 acts as a metabolic switch, which results in less ROS production. In association with TBP7 on the ER, TRAP1 can influence calcium regulation between the mitochondria and ER. Together with HSP90, TRAP1 is involved in inhibition of the unfolded protein response and promoting cell survival. Figure made with BioRender.
TRAP1 is Key to Mitochondrial Homeostasis
TRAP1 also has a general function in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis (
FIGURE 5

TRAP1 is involved in maintaining cellular homeostasis. First, TRAP1 regulates mitochondrial homeostasis by preventing the permeability transition pore formed by VDAC and ANT from opening by antagonising cyclophilin D (CypD). When this pore is opened, Cytochrome C (CytC) is released in the cytosol, activating the caspase cascade resulting in apoptosis. Second, TRAP1 is also found on the interface of the mitocohondria and endoplasmic reticulum, associating with tat-binding protein 7 (TBP7), a subunit of the proteasome. It helps regulating protein homeostasis before they enter the mitochondria, repairing if possible or degrading proteins if damaged beyond repair. Third, the dual location of the sorcin-isoforms suggests TRAP1 to have a role in calcium regulation (represented as red dots). Sorcin is a calcium sensor, which can regulate Na+/Ca2+ channel (NXC) and L-type Ca2+ channel on the endoplasmic reticulum, maintaining calcium homeostasis within the organelle and preventing cellular stress resulting from cytosolic calcium. Sorcin is a TRAP1 client and is thought to have a similar role in the mitochondria. Figure made with BioRender.
The mechanism behind this inhibition of pore formation can be explained by inhibition of TRAP1 by CypD. CypD is a mitochondrial matrix protein responsible for the formation of pores in the mitochondrial inner membrane (Kang, 2012). Upon activation, it switches the conformation of ANT1/2 and VDAC1, thereby creating non-selective pores (Kang et al., 2007). Hsp90s can bind CypD before it is fully folded, which is likely cause of the inhibitory effect. Upon release from Hsp90, CypD will release Cyt C into the cytosol, inducing cell death (Siegelin, 2013). TRAP1 prevents pore-opening by blocking this conformational switch of CypD. Similar action can be performed by HSP90, which enters the mitochondria only under special circumstances, such as in cancer (Kang, 2012). Protein interaction between TRAP1/HSP90 and CypD maintains after the addition of Hsp90 inhibitors, which suggests a different interaction than that of the inhibitors (Kang, 2012). CypD-deficient mitochondria are resistant to mitochondrial swelling caused by Aβ and Ca2+ (
Hence, TRAP1 silencing leads to an increase in Cyt C in the cytosol, paired with elevated caspase-3 activity, which releases a cascade leading to apoptosis (Figure 4) (Xiang et al., 2019). TRAP1 over-expression decreases cleavage of caspase 3, and thus also factors downstream in this cascade, including caspase 9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP) (
TRAP1 and Cellular Function
TRAP1 is primarily located in the mitochondria. Interestingly, a small fraction resides in the cytosol and on the ER membrane (Kubota et al., 2009; Matassa et al., 2012;
TRAP1 and the ER
The junction between the ER and the mitochondria is important for cell death regulation (
TRAP1 directly interacts with Tat-binding protein 7 (TBP7) on the cytoplasmatic side of the ER membrane (Figure 5) (
An alternative role for extramitochondrial TRAP1 is attributed to protection from ER stress (Matassa et al., 2012). TRAP1 plays a key role in the inhibition of apoptosis, caused by the mitochondrial apoptotic machinery in response to strong ER stress (Park et al., 2020). Client protein Sorcin is hypothesized to be involved, as it resides in both mitochondria and ER. The 22 kDa Sorcin isoform resides in the ER and does not interact with TRAP1, the 18 kDa variant is in the mitochondria and is a client of TRAP1 (Matassa et al., 2012). Sorcin is a calcium sensor and regulates Ca2+ homeostasis through sodium-calcium exchanger (NXC) and the voltage dependent L-type Ca2+ channel (Figure 5) (Matassa et al., 2012). Accumulation of calcium in the ER is regulated by the 22 kDa isoform and prevents ER stress (Matassa et al., 2012). Considering the function of Sorcin ER paralogue, the 18 kDa isoform may have a role in Ca2+-homeostasis in the mitochondria, possibly by regulating the mitochondrial PTP.
TRAP1 and the Cytoplasm
TRAP1 also has disease-relevant cytoplasmatic interactors (
TRAP1 may also be directly involved in regulation of cytoplasmatic proteins by intercompartmental communication through activated pathways (Figure 4). TRAP1 has a central role in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, releasing apoptogenetic proteins such as Cyt C to the cytosol (
The third way of mitochondria-cytoplasm interaction of TRAP1 is through import of cytosolic proteins. Cytosolic HSP90α/β can be transported to the mitochondria, which is mainly seen in neurons and cancer cells (Kang et al., 2007; Workman and de Billy, 2007). How these predominantly cytosolic chaperones are imported, remains to be elucidated (Kang et al., 2007). In the mitochondria, HSP90 becomes part of the mitochondrial chaperone network and performs similar actions as TRAP1 on CypD function (Workman and de Billy, 2007). More importantly, HSP90 brings mitochondrial targeted preproteins to import receptor translocase of outer membrane 70 (Tom70) (Lin et al., 2015). These preproteins may well be interactors of another Hsp90 family member: TRAP1.
The Effect of TRAP1 on the Proteome
Can altered TRAP1 expression affect the expression of other proteins? Silencing of TRAP1 causes only minor proteomic alteration, even of the proteins that interact directly with TRAP1, indicating that TRAP1 does not affect protein synthesis (
An exception is prohibitin (PHB2), a mitochondrial membrane protein that is more expressed upon TRAP1 inhibition (
Interestingly, TRAP1 inhibition leads to a significant increase in glutathione (GSH) (
Key interactors include the mitochondrial proteins such as GRP75, CH60 and PHB2 (
Regulation of TRAP1
Not only TRAP1, but also HSP90α/β and GRP94 have lower levels in patients with AD (Xu et al., 2019; Koopman and Rüdiger, 2020). These chaperones are all regulated by the same stress-inducible transcription factor, HSF1. In contrast, all HSP90 paralogues are severely upregulated in cancer (Park et al., 2020). Down-regulation of all Hsp90s in AD could contribute to the perceived cell death, while simultaneous inactivation of all paralogues is cytotoxic to cancer cells (Kang, 2012; Park et al., 2020).
Transcription of TRAP1 by HSF1
TRAP1 transcription is regulated by heat shock factor-1 (HSF1) (Figure 6). HSF1 is involved in the regulation of the heat shock response, including the heat shock proteins HSP27, HSP40 and HSP70 and HSP90 (Workman and de Billy, 2007; Mahat et al., 2016; Schopf et al., 2017). It exerts most of its action by increasing RNA polymerase II release from promotor-proximal pause (Mahat et al., 2016). HSF1 can be rapidly conformationally activated upon proteotoxic stress such as heat shock, after which it regulates chaperone expression (
FIGURE 6

Transcription regulation of TRAP1 and other heat shock proteins by HSF1. HSF1 is deactivated by a complex formed from HSP70 and HSP90, which release the transcription factor upon proteomic stress. Then HSF1 is phosphorylated and can trimerize, after which it is translocated to the nucleus. The trimerization is needed for recognition of the heat shock elements (HSE) after which transcription takes place. The DNA is then translocated to the ribosomes that translate it to heat shock proteins. TRAP1 is then translocated to the mitochondria, where the N-terminal sequence targeting for this location is cleaved off. HSP90 and HSP70 stay in the cytosol, rebinding HSF1 and thereby providing a negative feedback mechanism. Figure made with BioRender.
HSF1 is inactivated by a complex formed by HSP90 and HSP70 (Figure 6) (Workman and de Billy, 2007; Schopf et al., 2017; Park et al., 2020). The closed conformation of HSP90, which is the ATP bound conformation, interacts with HSF1 through its N-domain (Kijima et al., 2018). HSP70 binding functions as chaperone switch for HSF1 activity (Zheng et al., 2016) Upon proteotoxic stress, the intracellular concentration of misfolded proteins is increased (Labbadia et al., 2017). HSP90 and HSP70 are then needed to protect the cell from damage by unfolded client proteins. As a result, they dissociate from HSF1, which can now trimerize. Subsequently, HSF1 is hyperphosphorylated, which is a hallmark of the heat shock response, although not required for HSF1 activity (Zheng et al., 2016). Instead, differences in phosphorylation generate cell-to-cell differences in Hsp90 levels (Zheng et al., 2018) It is trimerized HSF1 that can bind to the heat shock elements (HSE) in the promotors of the target genes (Pincus, 2020).
HSF1 is then translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, where it accumulates (Figure 6) (
Induction and Suppression of TRAP1 Expression
So, we can induce TRAP1 expression by promoting HSF1 transcription while TRAP1 provides negative feedback by promoting Ca2+ release from mitochondria. Agents inducing cell stress induce the HSR by inducing HSP90 release and HSF1 activation (Powers and Workman, 2007). For instance, proteasome inhibitors increase the concentration of misfolded proteins, which induces HSP90 release (Powers and Workman, 2007). Also, inflammatory agents such as Phospholipase A2 and arachidonate, promote increased DNA-binding by HSF1 (Powers and Workman, 2007). Stress can also be induced by disturbing the redox state of the cell, creating ROS. Finally, HSP90 inhibitors can also enhance HSF1 activity, by formation of repressive HSP90-complex.
The HSR can also be suppressed, e.g., by the non-specific agent quercetin (Powers and Workman, 2007; Workman and de Billy, 2007). Some agents can specifically reduce TRAP1 expression. β-Hydroxy-iso-valerylshikonin (β-HIVS) can induce a time-dependent decline of the amount of TRAP1 in the mitochondria (Masuda et al., 2004). Similarly, exposure to VP16, a DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic, reduces TRAP1 levels (Masuda et al., 2004). This reduction leads to apoptosis in most cells, through Cyt C release, as described above. The suppressing effects on TRAP1 of both compounds are counteracted by antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) (Masuda et al., 2004). In the presence of NAC, apoptosis is significantly decreased (Masuda et al., 2004). These findings further support to the role of TRAP1 in ROS reduction.
The primary phenotypic loss upon TRAP1 silencing is an increase in mitochondrial respiration and ATP production. Thus, TRAP1 functions as a negative regulator of mitochondrial OXPHOS (
Modulation of TRAP1 Activity
Like all other Hsp90 paralogues, TRAP1 dimerises to form the catalytic active site needed for ATP hydrolysis (
PTMs play an important role in the regulation of TRAP1, including (de)acetylation, (de)phosphorylation, S-nitrosylation and ubiquitination (Table 1) (
TABLE 1
| PTM | Amino acid | Enzyme | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorylation | Y366, S401, T494, S511, S568 | PINK1, ERK1/2 | Koh and Chung. (2012); Matassa et al. (2012), Masgras et al. (2017a) |
| Acetylation | K87, K332, K382, K424, K466 | Matassa et al. (2012) | |
| Deacetylation | A | SIRT3 | |
| S-nitrosylation | C501, C573* | S-nitrosylase complexes |
Posttranslational Modifications (PTMs) of TRAP1. The different known PTMs for TRAP1. PTMs marked with a star* still need to be validated.
S-nitrosylation of Cys501 by S-nitrosylase complexes is associated with proteasomal degradation (Rizza et al., 2016). The cysteine can change the conformation of TRAP1 during its catalytic cycle, as determined by molecular dynamics simulations (
TRAP1 Down-Regulation in AD
TRAP1 is down-regulated in AD, together with all other Hsp90s (Koopman and Rüdiger, 2020). As Hsp90 is the only major chaperone family for which all members have reduced levels in disease in AD, it raises the how and why. Even more, as TRAP1 experiences the strongest reduction. While cytosolic Hsp90s interact with Tau, which aggregates in AD (
FIGURE 7

TRAP1 regulatory mechanisms linked to different hallmarks of AD. TRAP1 regulation of OXPHOS is linked to increased ROS formation, which damages mitochondria. Inhibition of mitochondrial pore opening by TRAP1 protects the mitochondria from swelling and rupture. TRAP1 is also involved in calcium homeostasis. Ca2+ proves to be important in signaling, and disrupting calcium homeostasis contributes to hallmarks such as Tau accumulation, formation of Amyloid Bèta Plaques and protein homeostasis. As mitochondrial chaperone, TRAP1 is also directly involved in maintaining protein homeostasis. On the right, the hallmarks of AD are summarised around one neuron.
The role of ROS in Alzheimer’s Disease itself is ambiguous (
It is not only on mitochondrial level that TRAP1 may contribute to the onset of AD. TRAP1 is significantly more expressed in the brain than in other tissues, suggesting a more important role in this body part (Kang et al., 2007). Silencing TRAP1 expression leads to synapses with reduced stalks, which affects neuronal communication (Kubota et al., 2009). Surprisingly, TRAP1 is found also outside of mitochondria. TRAP1 interacts on the ER-mitochondria interface with TBP7, thereby facilitating degradation of misfolded TRAP1 client proteins (Takemoto et al., 2011;
TRAP1 and PQC Derailment in AD
So, lower levels of TRAP1 seem to have a significant effect on the functioning of neurons. But what is the cause of this decrease? Down-regulation of transcription factor HSF1 could explain the perceived lower levels of TRAP1 and other Hsp90s as well, which is already demonstrated in rats with AD-like phenotypes (
TRAP1 has been extensively investigated in the context of cancer (Workman and de Billy, 2007; Trepel et al., 2010; Siegelin, 2013; Masgras et al., 2017b). Here, TRAP1 and other chaperones are over-expressed, which contributes to the inhibition of apoptosis (Lettini et al., 2017). Induction of expression of TRAP1 in AD might exploit a similar principle to keep the neurons intact. However, many processes are derailed in cancer, not only the expression of chaperones. Hence, it is difficult to pinpoint which derailment leads exactly to which cellular event. The role TRAP1 in AD is so far poorly elucidated. Inhibition of Hsp90s or HSP70 has been put forward as a possible therapeutic intervention point for AD (
Hsp90 inhibitors exist and have been tested in clinical trials for cancer therapy, which provides data on dosage, application and toxicity. If successful, such inhibitors will address multiple pathogenic events of AD development. Hsp90 inhibitors as drugs in neurodegeneration, however, have to overcome a few major challenges. 1) The fundamental challenge is that in contrast to cancer drugging does not aim at killing a cell, but instead keeping neurons alive. 2) Hsp90 chaperones have many important functions in the cell, and inhibiting Hsp90 chaperones may have pleiotropic effects. 3) The downside of most Hsp90 inhibitors is that most of them are not specific for a particular Hsp90 paralogue (
While AD is widely researched, no new treatment option has been approved since 2003 (
Compounds modulating cellular protein quality control could provide a new approach on influencing AD pathology. Since the molecular cause of AD is unclear, it is imprudent to say TRAP1 up-regulation will cure the disease. However, if the cause of and mechanism behind TRAP1 down-regulation in AD is elucidated, we are one step closer to regain control over the derailed PQC. TRAP1, as the most reduced Hsp90, may thus provide new insights in the decades-old puzzle of AD development and onset.
Statements
Author contributions
FD and SR wrote the manuscript, with FD providing the first draft. FD made all figures.
Funding
SR was supported by the Campaign Team Huntington, Alzheimer Nederland and the ZonMW TOP-grant “Chaperoning axonal transport”.
Acknowledgments
We thank Margeet Koopman for discussions.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Abbreviations
β-HIVS, β-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin; Aβ, bèta amyloid; ANT1/2, adenine nulceotide translocator 1/2; APAF-1, apoptotic protease-activating factor 1; c-Src, proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src; C/EBP, CCAAT enhancer binding protein; CTD, C-terminal domain; CypD, cyclophilin D; Cyt C, cytochrome C; DFO, deferoxamine; ER, endoplasmic reticulum; ETC, electron transport chain; GRP94, glucose-regulated protein 94; GSH, glutathione; GzmM, granzyme M; HSE, heat shock element; HSF1, heat shock factor 1; KO, knock-out; MD, middle domain; NAC, N-acetyl-cysteine; NTD, N-terminal domain; NXC, sodium-calcium exchanger; OXPHOS, oxidative phosphorylation; PARP, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1; PHB2, prohibitin 2; PINK1, PTEN induced putative kinase 1; PQC, protein quality Control; PTP, permeability transition pore; RB, retinoblastoma protein; ROS, radical oxygen species; sHSPs, small heat shock proteins; SMAC, second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase; STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; TBP7, tat-binding protein 7; TNFR1, type I tumor necrosis factor receptor; Tom70, translocase of outer membrane 70; TPR, tetratricopeptide; UPR, unfolded protein response; VDAC1, voltage-dependent anion channel 1.
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Summary
Keywords
protein folding, proteostasis, molecular chaperones, protein quality control, protein aggregation, neurodegeneration, mitochondria
Citation
Dekker FA and Rüdiger SGD (2021) The Mitochondrial Hsp90 TRAP1 and Alzheimer’s Disease. Front. Mol. Biosci. 8:697913. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.697913
Received
20 April 2021
Accepted
02 June 2021
Published
18 June 2021
Volume
8 - 2021
Edited by
Ilda D’Annessa, Medtronic EMEA, Study & Scientific Solutions, Italy
Reviewed by
Adrienne Lesley Edkins, Rhodes University, South Africa
Sandeep K. Sharma, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR), India
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© 2021 Dekker and Rüdiger.
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*Correspondence: Stefan G. D. Rüdiger, s.g.d.rudiger@uu.nl
This article was submitted to Molecular Recognition, a section of the journal Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
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