Hsp60 and skeletal muscle diseases

Hsp60, a member of the chaperone system with diverse roles in health and disease, plays a crucial part in maintaining protein homeostasis inside mitochondria and has other functions outside the organelle. Skeletal muscle, a complex tissue rich in proteins, constantly undergoes rearrangements, influenced by various stimuli and stressors. Regular exercise triggers specific adaptations in muscle fibers, including hypertrophy and increased mitochondrial activity. However, knowledge gaps exist regarding the involvement of Hsp60 in muscle fiber biogenesis, regeneration during exercise, and disease. In this chapter, we discuss its functions in skeletal muscle, including exercise, and inflammation and explore its potential as a disease marker and therapeutic target. Current research on Hsp60 focuses on its roles in maintenance of the mitochondrial respiratory chain integrity and in defending against oxidative stress. Here, we expand the discussion to encompass the chaperoning system, of which Hsp60 is a key component, participation in skeletal muscle development, exercise, and disease, particularly in Hsp60 noncanonical locations within the muscle.