ObjectiveTo investigate the role of protein Hsc73 (heat shock cognate protein 73 000) in renal cell cancer metastasis promoted by SDF-1/CXCR4 axis, so as to determine whether Hsc73 participates in CXCR4 nuclear localization.MethodsWestern blotting analysis was used to observe the expression of Hsc73 in A498 cells over-expressing CXCR4.The location of Hsc73 and the interaction of CXCR4 with Hsc73 were investigated in SDF-1-stimulated A498 cells by immunohistochemical staining, Co-IP (Co-Immunoprecipitation) experiment, etc.ResultsHsc73 was up-regulated in A498 cells over-expressing CXCR4.Hsc73 was mainly found in the cytoplasm of A498 cells; after stimulation with SDF-1, some Hsc73 appeared in the nuclei.Hsc73 protein was found in the nuclei of A498 cells after Co-IP with anti-CXCR4 antibody.ConclusionHsc73 as a common molecular chaperone participates in the intra-cellular translocation of CXCR4; Hsc73 also plays a key role in the activation of SDF-1/CXCR4 signal pathway and may be involved in the nuclear translocalization of CXCR4.