Small heat shock proteins HspB1 and HspB5 differentially alter the condensation and aggregation of the TDP-43 low complexity domain

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a nucleic acid-binding protein that regulates processes of mRNA metabolism, during which it undergoes condensation mediated by its C-terminal low complexity domain (TDP-43LCD). TDP-43 aggregation and condensation are associated with neurodegenerative disease. However, the proteostasis mechanisms that regulate these processes remain elusive. Some evidence has shown that the molecular chaperone small heat shock protein HspB1 binds to and regulates the cytoplasmic phase separation of TDP-43, indicating that other small heat shock proteins may have similar effects. Here, we demonstrate divergent behaviours for HspB1 and its homolog HspB5 on TDP-43LCD condensation and aggregation. In addition to inhibiting TDP-43LCD aggregation, HspB1 partitions into TDP-43LCD condensates and increases the dynamic exchange of TDP-43LCD within condensates and with the surrounding solution. These effects of HspB1 are enhanced by mutations that mimic phosphorylation. HspB5 inhibits TDP-43LCD aggregation more effectively than HspB1 and partitions into TDP-43LCD condensates, where it delays pathological transition of the condensate to a gel/solid. We localise the chaperone effects of HspB1 and HspB5 to the N- and C-terminal regions of the protein, emphasising the role of sequence diversity in these regions in defining small heat shock protein function. These findings demonstrate that HspB1 and HspB5 are regulators of TDP-43 phase separation and aggregation and may be potential therapeutic targets in mitigating toxic TDP-43 aggregation in neurodegenerative disease. StatementThis work describes how two small heat shock proteins (proteins that bind to misfolded proteins) impact the condensation and aggregation of TDP-43, a protein implicated in most cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In doing so, it highlights their divergent behaviours and therapeutic potential.