Generation of a rat monoclonal antibody specific for heat shock cognate protein 70.

Human heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70), also known as Hsp73 and Hsp70-8, is a molecular chaperone. The human Hsp70 family comprises at least eight different molecular groups with strong homology. Among them, Hsc70 and Hsp72 share 86% homology. Both Hsp72 and Hsc70 localize in the cell cytoplasm and the nucleus. While Hsp72 expression is enhanced by stress, Hsc70 is constitutively expressed, suggesting that Hsc70 is critically involved in cell functions other than the stress response. Hsc70 has cell-specific and tissue-specific functions, such as cellular signaling, but its functions are not well understood. To further study the functions of Hsc70, we established a monoclonal antibody specific for Hsc70 using a rat medial iliac lymph node method. Immunoblot analysis with this antibody revealed that it specifically recognizes Hsc70. Immunocytochemical staining using this newly established antibody revealed that Hsc70 localizes predominantly in the cytoplasm in unstressed cells, whereas oxidative stress produced by H2O2 induces Hsc70 to translocate into the nucleus. This monoclonal antibody will be useful for further studies of Hsc70, including changes in its intracellular location, binding molecules, and functions.