Arginine vasopressin (AVP) causes the reversible phosphorylation of the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein in the ovine anterior pituitary: evidence that MARCKS phosphorylation is associated with adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion

We have recently shown that AVP causes a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent increase in ACTH release and biosynthesis in ovine anterior pituitary cells. In these cells, AVP also causes the translocation of PKC from the cytosol to the cell membrane which is maximal at 5 min, but the intracellular events distal to protein kinase C activation that underlie ACTH secretion have not been well characterized to date. Since the MARCKS protein has been implicated in neurosecretion and is phosphorylated by PKC in synaptosomes, studies were carried out to determine whether AVP might cause MARCKS phosphorylation in the ovine anterior pituitary, and to determine whether this phenomenon might be temporally correlated with PKC translocation and the release of ACTH. When cytosolic fractions of rat brain, ovine anterior pituitary, and cultured ovine anterior pituitary cells were incubated with purified PKC, several proteins were phosphorylated including those in the region of 83-85 kDa. After precipitation of the proteins with 40% acetic acid, the 83-85 kDa phosphoproteins were selectively recovered in the acid soluble phase. Phosphopeptide maps of either the 83 or 85 kDa proteins were generated with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and revealed 13 and 9 kDa phosphopeptides, which are characteristic of the authentic MARCKS protein. An identical phosphopeptide map was also obtained when the MARCKS protein was selectively extracted from intact 32P-labeled anterior pituitary cells. MARCKS phosphorylation was markedly increased when ovine anterior pituitary cells were exposed to 1 microM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). When the cells were exposed to 1 microM AVP, MARCKS phosphorylation increased at 15 s and reached the maximal plateau value at 30 s. MARCKS phosphorylation then started to diminish at 2 min, and baseline levels were attained by 10 min. In the same cells, AVP stimulated ACTH release in a biphasic manner - during the first 30 s, there resulted a rapid burst of ACTH secretion that was followed by a slower, but sustained rate of secretion. We conclude that: (1) AVP causes a rapid, and reversible, phosphorylation of the MARCKS protein in the ovine anterior pituitary; (2) since the AVP-induced increase in MARCKS phosphorylation occurs much earlier in these cells than does PKC trans-location, MARCKS phosphorylation may provide a more sensitive index of the onset of PKC activation than the translocation assay; (3) the close temporal association between MARCKS phosphorylation and the rapid early release of ACTH suggests that MARCKS phosphorylation may be involved in the initial intracellular events that underly exocytosis of the hormone.     

Protein kinase C-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of p130cas in differentiating neuroblastoma cells

The cell signaling docking protein p130cas became tyrosine-phosphorylated in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells during induced differentiation with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and serum or a combination of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). The differentiating cells develop a neuronal phenotype with neurites and growth cones and sustained activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and pp60c-src. The TPA-induced p130cas phosphorylation increased within 5 min of stimulation and persisted for at least 4 days, whereas bFGF/IGF-I-induced p130cas phosphorylation was biphasic. However, the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of p130cas was not restricted to differentiation inducing stimuli. The phosphorylation was blocked by the specific PKC inhibitor GF 109203X, and transient transfection with active PKC-epsilon induced p130cas tyrosine phosphorylation. pp60c-src, known to directly phosphorylate p130cas in other cell systems, was not activated after stimulation with TPA or bFGF/IGF-I for up to 30 min, and the initial p130cas phosphorylation was resistant to the Src family kinase inhibitor herbimycin A. However, in long term stimulated cells, herbimycin A blocked the induced phosphorylation of p130cas. Also, overexpression of src induced phosphorylation of p130cas. p130cas protein and phosphorylated p130cas were present in growth cones isolated from differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Inhibition of PKC activity in differentiating cells with GF 109203X leads to a rapid retraction of growth cone filopodia, and p130cas phosphorylation decreased transiently (within minutes). Growth cones isolated from these cells were virtually devoid of phosphorylated p130cas. These data suggest a function for p130cas as a PKC downstream target in SH-SY5Y cells and possibly also in their growth cones.     

Trypanosoma musculi: tracking parasites and circulating lymphoid cells in host mice

Hyperglycemia can cause vascular dysfunctions by multiple factors including hyperosmolarity, oxidant formation, and protein kinase C (PKC) activation. We have characterized the effect of hyperglycemia on p38 mitogen-activated protein (p38) kinase activation, which can be induced by oxidants, hyperosmolarity, and proinflammatory cytokines, leading to apoptosis, cell growth, and gene regulation. Glucose at 16.5 mM increased p38 kinase activity in a time-dependent manner compared with 5.5 mM in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC). Mannitol activated p38 kinase only at or greater than 22 mM. High glucose levels and a PKC agonist activated p38 kinase, and a PKC inhibitor, GF109203X, prevented its activation. However, p38 kinase activation by mannitol or tumor necrosis factor-alpha was not inhibited by GF109203X. Changes in PKC isoform distribution after exposure to 16.5 mM glucose in SMC suggested that both PKC-beta2 and PKC-delta isoforms were increased. Activities of p38 kinase in PKC-delta- but not PKC-beta1-overexpressed SMC were increased compared with control cells. Activation of p38 kinase was also observed and characterized in various vascular cells in culture and aorta from diabetic rats. Thus, moderate hyperglycemia can activate p38 kinase by a PKC-delta isoform-dependent pathway, but glucose at extremely elevated levels can also activate p38 kinase by hyperosmolarity via a PKC-independent pathway.     

Inhibition of protein kinase C suppresses megakaryocytic differentiation and stimulates erythroid differentiation in HEL cells

The bisindolylmaleimide, GF109203X (2-[1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-maleimide ), a highly selective inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), was used to test the role of this enzyme in phorbol ester-induced megakaryocytic differentiation of HEL cells. Treatment of these cells with 10 nmol/L phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 3 days caused a complete inhibition of proliferation and a threefold increase in the surface expression of glycoprotein (GP) IIIa, a marker of megakaryocytic differentiation that forms part of the fibrinogen receptor complex, GPIIb/IIIa. A similar effect was observed with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, but not with the biologically inactive derivative PMA-4-O-methyl ether. The PMA-induced increase in GPIIIa expression was completely inhibited by GF109203X in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 0.5 mumol/L), with a maximal effect at 2.5 to 5.0 mumol/L. GF109203X also blocked the inhibitory effect of PMA on cell growth and inhibited PMA-stimulated phosphorylation of the 47-kD PKC substrate, pleckstrin. Incubation of HEL cells with 25 mumol/L hemin for 3 days caused a fourfold to fivefold increase in expression of the erythroid differentiation marker, glycophorin A. In contrast to the inhibitory effect of GF109203X on GPIIIa expression, hemin induction of glycophorin A was enhanced by this compound. Furthermore, GF109203X alone caused a dose-dependent increase in glycophorin A expression, and induced hemoglobinization. Consistent with these changes, Northern blot analysis revealed that GF109203X treatment reduced the steady-state level of GPIIb mRNA and increased those for glycophorin A and gamma-globin. These results suggest that PKC may act as a developmental switch controlling erythroid/megakaryocytic differentiation.     

The protein kinase C inhibitors Ro 318220 and GF 109203X are equally potent inhibitors of MAPKAP kinase-1beta (Rsk-2) and p70 S6 kinase

The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors Ro 318220 and GF 109203X have been used in over 350 published studies to investigate the physiological roles of PKC. Here we demonstrate that these inhibitors are not selective for PKC isoforms as was previously assumed. Ro 318220 inhibited MAPKAP kinase-1beta (also known as Rsk-2) in vitro (IC50 3nM) more potently than it inhibited mixed PKC isoforms (IC50 5 nM), and it also inhibited p70 S6 kinase (IC50 15 nM). GF 109203X also potently inhibited MAPKAP kinase-1beta (IC50 50 nM) and p70 S6 kinase (IC50 100 nM) with similar potency to PKC isoforms (IC50 30 nM). The inhibition of MAPKAP kinase-1beta, p70 S6 kinase, and probably other protein kinases, may explain many of the effects previously attributed to PKC.     

Arachidonic acid potentiates ACh receptor currents by protein kinase C activation but not by receptor phosphorylation

The effects of arachidonic acid on ACh-gated channel currents were examined using Torpedo nicotinic ACh receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Arachidonic acid decreased ACh-evoked currents during treatment, to a greater extent in Ca(2+)-free extracellular solution. The currents were enhanced for more than 30 min after washing, reaching 150 and 170% in Ca(2+)-containing and -free extracellular solutions, respectively. The current enhancement was inhibited by the selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, GF109203X, whereas the current depression was not affected. Furthermore, arachidonic acid-evoked current depression was blocked in mutant ACh receptors with PKC phosphorylation site deletions on the alpha and delta subunits, but the long-lasting potentiation effect remained. These results indicate that arachidonic acid may decrease ACh receptor currents by a direct binding to PKC phosphorylation sites of the ACh receptors and may potentiate the currents via a novel pathway related to arachidonic acid-regulated PKC activation, but not via PKC phosphorylation of the ACh receptor itself.     

Expression and phosphorylation of a MARCKS-like protein in gastric chief cells: further evidence for modulation of pepsinogen secretion by interaction of Ca2+/calmodulin with protein kinase C

In gastric chief cells, agents that activate protein kinase C (PKC) stimulate pepsinogen secretion and phosphorylation of an acidic 72-kDa protein. The isoelectric point and molecular mass of this protein are similar to those for a common PKC substrate; the MARCKS (for Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C Kinase Substrate) protein. We examined expression and phosphorylation of the MARCKS-like protein in a nearly homogeneous suspension of chief cells from guinea pig stomach. Western blotting of fractions from chief cell lysates with a specific MARCKS antibody resulted in staining of a myristoylated 72-kDA protein (pp72), associated predominantly with the membrane fraction. Using permeabilized chief cells, we examined the effect of PKC activation (with the phorbol ester PMA), in the presence of basal (100 nM) or elevated cellular calcium (1 microM), on pepsinogen secretion and phosphorylation of the 72-KDa MARCKS-like protein. Secretion was increased 2.3-, 2.6-, and 4.5-fold by incubation with 100 nM PMA, 1 microM calcium, and PMA plus calcium, respectively. A PKC inhibitor (1 microM CGP 41 251) abolished PMA-induced secretion, but did not alter calcium-induced secretion. This indicates that calcium-induced secretion is independent of PKC activation. Chief cell proteins were labeled with 32P-orthophosphate and phosphorylation of pp72 was detected by autoradiography of 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. In the presence of basal calcium, PMA (100 nM) caused a > two-fold increase in phosphorylation of pp72. Without PMA, calcium did not alter phosphorylation of pp72. However, 1 microM calcium caused an approx. 50% attenuation of PMA-induced phosphorylation of pp72. Experiments with a MARCKS "phosphorylation/calmodulin binding domain peptide" indicated that calcium/calmodulin inhibits phosphorylation of pp72 by binding to the phosphorylation/calmodulin binding domain and not by inhibiting PKC activity. These observations support the hypothesis that, in gastric chief cells, interplay between calcium/calmodulin binding and phosphorylation of a common domain on the 72-kDa MARCKS-like protein plays a role in modulating pepsinogen secretion.     

Differential effects of the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate on calcium responses and secretion in adherent and suspended RBL-2H3 mucosal mast cells

Adhesion of RBL-2H3 mucosal mast cells to fibronectin-coated surfaces has been linked to changes in secretion and tyrosine kinase activity. We now show that adhesion affects the sensitivity of RBL cells to the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). In suspended cells, PMA inhibited antigen-induced calcium influx (as measured by manganese influx) and changes in intracellular free calcium and had complex effects on antigen-stimulated secretion. However, in adherent cells PMA had little effect on these responses. Suspended cells only secreted in response to thapsigargin if they were co-treated with PMA, while adherent cells secreted in response to thapsigargin alone. The thapsigargin-induced secretion in adherent cells was inhibited by protein kinase C down-regulation and by the protein kinase C inhibitor GF 109203X, but not by calphostin C. We suggest that protein kinase C is constitutively activated in adherent cells, possibly due to modification of the regulatory domain of the enzyme.     

Phosphorylation of myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate by mitogen-activated protein kinase in cultured rat hippocampal neurons following stimulation of glutamate receptors

Glutamate-induced phosphorylation of myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS) was investigated in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. In 32P-labeled hippocampal neurons, exposure to 10 microM glutamate induced a long lasting increase in phosphorylation of MARCKS. The long lasting increase in MARCKS phosphorylation mainly required activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Unexpectatively, the MARCKS phosphorylation after the 10-min incubation with glutamate was not inhibited by treatment with calphostin C, a potent inhibitor for protein kinase C (PKC), or down-regulation of PKC but was largely prevented by PD098059, a selective inhibitor for mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase. In contrast, the phosphorylation following the short exposure to glutamate was prevented by a combination of PD098059 and calphostin C. The phosphopeptide mapping and immunoblotting analyses confirmed that PKC-dependent phosphorylation of MARCKS was transient and the MAP kinase-dependent phosphorylation was relatively persistent. Investigations of the functional properties also showed that the MARCKS phosphorylation by MAP kinase regulates its calmodulin-binding ability and its interaction with F-actin as seen in the PKC-dependent phosphorylation. These results suggest that glutamate causes a long lasting increase in MARCKS phosphorylation through activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and subsequent activation of MAP kinase in the hippocampal neurons.     

Metabotropic glutamate receptors increase amyloid precursor protein processing in astrocytes: inhibition by cyclic AMP

Neurotransmitter receptors that increase phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis generate second messengers that activate protein kinase C. Here, we used metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists to increase both phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and secretion of the soluble extracellular fragment of amyloid precursor protein (APPs) from cortical astrocyte cultures. The increase in APPs secretion was mimicked by direct activation of protein kinase C with phorbol ester and was suppressed by the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist L-(+)-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid or by the protein kinase C inhibitor GF109203X. Ionotropic glutamate agonists did not increase APPs secretion. Forskolin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP inhibited the increase in APPs secretion caused by metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists or by phorbol ester treatment but did not affect basal APPs levels. Therefore, glutamatergic agonists that increase protein kinase C activation or decrease cyclic AMP formation may enhance the conversion of full-length APP to nonamyloidogenic APPs in Alzheimer's disease.     

Homologous desensitization of bombesin-induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ in quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells involves a protein kinase C-independent mechanism

Addition of bombesin to Swiss 3T3 cells causes a rapid and transient increase in the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), which is followed by desensitization to a subsequent addition of the peptide. The concentrations of bombesin used to study this acute cellular desensitization (0.1-0.5 nM) did not deplete the intracellular pool of Ca2+ released by inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate, as shown by addition of vasopressin after consecutive additions of bombesin. Two lines of evidence support the conclusion that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) does not mediate the acute homologous desensitization of Ca2+ responses induced by bombesin. First, long-term treatment (48 h) of Swiss 3T3 cells with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) to deplete PKC did not prevent homologous desensitization. The responses to second additions of bombesin at 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 nM were 42%, 26% and 11% of the initial responses, respectively. Second, the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X did not alter homologous desensitization at concentrations that completely prevented the inhibition of Ca2+ mobilization induced by PDB and blocked PDB-mediated phosphorylation of the prominent PKC substrate 80K/MARCKS. We conclude that acute homologous desensitization of Ca2+ responses induced by bombesin occurs through a PKC-independent mechanism.     

Inhibition of the protein kinase C pathway promotes anti-CD95-induced apoptosis in Jurkat T cells

The role of the basal activity of the serine/threonine protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of anti-CD95-induced apoptosis in Jurkat T cells was investigated. The PKC-specific inhibitor GF 109203X and the proposed cPKC-specific inhibitor Go 6976, in a concentration-dependent manner, increased the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis induced by anti-CD95 mAb as demonstrated by propidium iodide (PI) staining, TUNEL assay and DNA fragmentation by gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, Go 6976 and GF 109203X abrogated phorbol myristate acetate-induced inhibition of anti-CD95-induced apoptosis. To examine the molecular mechanism by which PKC modulates anti-CD95-induced apoptosis, the effects of Go 6976 on known effector and regulatory molecules of cell death were studied. Increased recruitment of cells undergoing apoptosis was associated with enhanced anti-CD95-induced proteolytic cleavage of the most receptor-proximal cysteine protease caspase-8, subsequent cleavage and activation of the machinery protease caspase-3, and cleavage of the caspase substrates DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit, poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase and lamin B1. CD95 and FADD protein levels in Jurkat T cells were not altered by Go 6976 treatment. In addition, Go 6976 did not alter protein levels and subcellular distribution of the anti-apoptotic molecules Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. These data suggest indirectly that basal PKC activity acts at an early stage in the anti-CD95-induced caspase pathway to attenuate subsequent activation of downstream effector molecules and associated apoptosis in Jurkat T cells.     

Carbachol stimulates transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor and mitogen-activated protein kinase in T84 cells. Implications for carbachol-stimulated chloride secretion

We have examined the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in regulation of calcium-dependent chloride secretion across T84 colonic epithelial cells. The calcium-mediated agonist carbachol (CCh, 100 microM) stimulated a time-dependent increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of a range of proteins (with molecular masses ranging up to 180 kDa) in T84 cells. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (5 microM), significantly potentiated chloride secretory responses to CCh, indicating a role for CCh-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation in negative regulation of CCh-stimulated secretory responses. Further studies revealed that CCh stimulated an increase in both phosphorylation and activity of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) isoforms of mitogen-activated protein kinase. Chloride secretory responses to CCh were also potentiated by the mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, PD98059 (20 microM). Phosphorylation of ERK in response to CCh was mimicked by the protein kinase C (PKC) activator, phorbol myristate acetate (100 nM), but was not altered by the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X (1 microM). ERK phosphorylation was also induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) (100 ng/ml). Immunoprecipitation/Western blot studies revealed that CCh stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor (EGFr) and increased co-immunoprecipitation of the adapter proteins, Shc and Grb2, with the EGFr. An inhibitor of EGFr phosphorylation, tyrphostin AG1478 (1 microM), reversed CCh-stimulated phosphorylation of both EGFr and ERK. Tyrphostin AG1478 also potentiated chloride secretory responses to CCh. We conclude that CCh activates ERK in T84 cells via a mechanism involving transactivation of the EGFr, and that this pathway constitutes an inhibitory signaling pathway by which chloride secretory responses to CCh may be negatively regulated.     

Stimulation of cell elongation in teleost rod photoreceptors by distinct protein kinase inhibitors

The rod photoreceptors of teleost retinas elongate in the light. To characterize the role of protein kinases in elongation, pharmacological studies were carried out with rod fragments consisting of the motile inner segment and photosensory outer segment (RIS-ROS). Isolated RIS-ROS were cultured in the presence of membrane-permeant inhibitors that exhibit selective activity toward specific serine/threonine protein kinases. We report that three distinct classes of protein kinase inhibitors stimulated elongation in darkness: (1) cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-selective inhibitors (H-89 and KT5720), (2) a protein kinase C (PKC)-selective inhibitor (GF 109203X) that affects most PKC isoforms, and (3) a kinase inhibitor (H-85) that does not affect PKC and PKA in vitro. Other kinase inhibitors tested neither stimulated elongation in darkness nor inhibited light-induced elongation; these include the myosin light chain kinase inhibitors ML-7 and ML-9, the calcium-calmodulin kinase II inhibitor KN-62, and inhibitors or activators of diacylglycerol-dependent PKCs (sphingosine, calphostin C, chelerythrine, and phorbol esters). The myosin light chain kinase inhibitors as well as the PKA and PKC inhibitors H-89 and GF 109203X all enhanced light-induced elongation. These observations suggest that light-induced RIS-ROS elongation is inhibited by both PKA and an unidentified kinase or kinases, possibly a diacylglycerol-independent form of PKC.     

The hepatitis C virus NS2 protein generated by NS2-3 autocleavage is required for NS5A phosphorylation

Protein kinase C (PKC) is implicated in the regulation of a variety of important functions in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines, but the downstream signaling targets stimulated by PKCs in these cells remain poorly characterized. Here we report that treatment of the SCLC cell lines H 69, H 345, and H 510 with phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) led to a rapid and striking activation of protein kinase D (PKD), a novel serine/threonine protein kinase distinct from all PKC isoforms. PKD activation induced by PDB in these SCLC cell lines was completely abrogated by treatment of the cells with the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X (GF I) at concentrations (0.5-2.5 microM) that did not inhibit PKD activity when added directly to the in vitro kinase assays. Treatment with the biologically active phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or with membrane-permeable diacylglycerols also stimulated PKD activation, which was also completely prevented by prior exposure of the cells to GF I. The PKC inhibitors Ro 31-8220 and Go 7874 also blocked PKD activation in response to PDB. Addition of the autocrine growth factor bombesin to cultures of H 345 cells induced significant PKD activation that also was prevented by GF I. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the existence of a PKC/PKD pathway in SCLC cells and raise the possibility that PKD may be an important mediator of some of the biological responses elicited by PKC activation in SCLC cells.     

Mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent and protein kinase C-dependent pathways link the m1 muscarinic receptor to beta-amyloid precursor protein secretion

Full and functionally selective M1 muscarinic agonists (carbachol and AF102B, respectively) activate secretion of the soluble form of amyloid precursor protein (APPs) in PC12 cells expressing the m1 muscarinic receptor (PC12M1 cells). This activation is further augmented by neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. Muscarinic stimulation activates two transduction pathways that lead to APPs secretion: protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent pathways. These pathways operate in parallel and converge with transduction pathways of neurotrophins, resulting in enhancement of APPs secretion when both muscarinic agonist and neurotrophins stimulate PC12M1 cells. These conclusions are supported by the following findings: (a) Only partial blockade of APPs secretion is observed when PKC, p21ras, or MAPK is fully inhibited by their respective specific inhibitors, GF109203X, S-trans, trans-farnesylthiosalicylic acid, and PD98059. (b) K252a, which blocks PKC and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced APPs secretion, enhances both muscarinic-stimulated MAPK activation and APPs secretion. (c) Activation of MAPK in PC12M1 cells by muscarinic agonists is Ras-dependent but PKC-independent and is enhanced synergistically by neurotrophins. These results suggest that muscarinic stimulation of APPs secretion is mediated by at least two independent pathways that converge and enhance the signal for APPs secretion at the convergence point.     

Linkage of protein kinase C-beta activation and intracellular interleukin-2 accumulation in human naive CD4 T cells

A critical role for protein kinase C (PKC) in signal transduction events has been well established. Moreover, studies of regulation in PKC levels suggest participation in mediating long-term cellular functions. Protein kinase C-beta (PKC-beta) has been reported to be involved in interleukin-2 (IL-2) synthesis in T lymphocytes. In this study, the role of PKC-beta in intracellular accumulation of IL-2 was investigated using specific inhibitors. Preincubation with two different PKC inhibitors, one specific for classical isotypes (alpha and beta I) Go6976, and one which inhibits both classical and non-classical isotypes, GF109203X, caused a complete block in cytoplasmic IL-2 accumulation when naive CD4 T cells were stimulated in the presence of CD2+CD28+phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). In contrast, preincubation with up to 1000 ng/ml of cyclosporin A (CsA) resulted in a reduction in the intracellular IL-2 detected, as observed by a decrease in the proportion of positive cells as well as a fall in the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). CsA did not influence PKC-beta translocation. Flow cytometric assessments of PKC-beta and its isoforms beta I and beta II correlated with Western blotting analysis and these results were further supported by the use of PKC-beta-positive (HUT 78) and -negative (BW5147) T-cell lines. Using the specific inhibitors, Go6976 and GF109203X, the findings in this study suggest that activation and translocation of PKC-beta is critical for accumulation of intracellular IL-2. The influence of CsA in reducing but not blocking IL-2 synthesis is discussed. PMA-induced down-regulation of the CD4 antigen was observed in the presence of Go6976 and but not GF109203X, suggesting regulation by non-classical PKC isoforms.     

The zeta isoform of protein kinase C controls interleukin-2-mediated proliferation in a murine T cell line: evidence for an additional role of protein kinase C epsilon and beta

In order to address a role of protein kinase C in signal transduction through interleukin-2, interleukin-4, and interleukin-9 receptors, we took advantage of the availability of a selective protein kinase C inhibitor, GF109203X, and the availability of TS1 beta and TS1 alpha beta cell lines which can be maintained in interleukin-2, interleukin-4, or interleukin-9 independently. In this report we report that inhibition of protein kinase C activity by GF109203X does not block interleukin-4- or interleukin-9-dependent proliferation and, on the contrary, does block interleukin-2-dependent proliferation, suggesting that interleukin-4 and interleukin-9 do not use signal transduction pathways mediated by protein kinase C and that the common gamma chain of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, and interleukin-9 receptors is not responsible per se for the activation of protein kinase C through interleukin-2 receptor. Moreover, GF109203X induces apoptosis in cells cultured in interleukin-2 but not in interleukin-4 or interleukin-9. Using antisense oligonucleotides, we report that the zeta and epsilon protein kinase C isoforms are involved in signaling through high-affinity interleukin-2 receptor and beta and zeta are involved in signaling through intermediate-affinity interleukin-2 receptor. Taken together, our data indicate that activation of the zeta, beta, and epsilon protein kinase C isoforms is an important step in interleukin-2-mediated proliferation.     

Epidermal growth factor and angiotensin II regulation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase in rat liver epithelial WB cells

Activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) is considered essential for mitogenesis. In the present study, rat liver epithelial WB cells were used to investigate the relative roles of Ca2+, protein kinase C (PKC), and protein tyrosine phosphorylation in mitogenesis and activation of the ERK pathway stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and angiotensin II (Ang II). The sensitivity of the ERK pathway to Ca2+ was studied by using 1,2-bis (O-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) to chelate intracellular Ca2+ and a low extracellular Ca2+ concentration to prevent Ca2+ influx. Agonist-induced PKC activation was diminished by inhibition of PKC by GF-109203X (bisindolylmaleimide) or by down-regulation of PKC by long-term treatment of the cells with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Our results show that although activation of PKC was critical for mitogenesis induced by Ang II or EGF, the initial activation of ERK by both agonists in these cells was essentially independent of PKC activation and was insensitive to Ca2+ mobilization. This is in contrast to the findings in some cell types that exhibit a marked dependency on mobilization of Ca2+ and/or PKC activation. On the other hand, an obligatory tyrosine phosphorylation step for activation of ERK was indicated by the use of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which profoundly inhibited the activation of ERK by EGF, Ang II, and PMA. Additional experiments indicated that tyrosine phosphorylation by a cytosolic tyrosine kinase may represent a general mechanism for G-protein coupled receptor mediated ERK activation.