Calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase from rat brain. Subcellular distribution, purification, and properties

Inhibition of NMDA-induced protein kinase C translocation by a Zn2+ chelator: implication of intracellular Zn2+

The role of intracellular Zn2+ in the translocation of protein kinase C from cytosol to membrane fractions was examined by the [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) binding method in guinea pig cerebral synaptoneurosomes. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, 100 microM) and calcium ionophore A23187 (0.3-30 microM) decreased the binding activity in the cytosol with a concomitant increase in the membrane fractions. Pretreatment of synaptoneurosomes with a heavy metal chelator, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN), inhibited the NMDA- and A23187-induced changes of the distribution of [3H]PDBu binding sites in cytosol and membrane fractions. The inhibitory effect of TPEN was negated by a preincubation of TPEN with equimolar Zn2+ but not by that with Ca2+. The addition of 500 microM Zn2+ to the lysate of synaptoneurosomes induced an increase of [3H]PDBu binding activity in the membrane fraction with a concomitant decrease in the cytosol fraction, as did 100 microM Ca2+. Low concentrations of Zn2+ (10 microM), which alone had no effect on the distribution of the binding, significantly enhanced the effect of 10 microM Ca2+ in the lysate. Under those conditions TPEN inhibited the Zn(2+)-potentiated Ca(2+)-dependent changes in the binding. These results suggest that intracellular Zn2+ is essential for the agonist-induced translocation of protein kinase C in guinea pig synaptoneurosomes.

Activation of the PKC-isotypes alpha, beta 1, gamma, delta and epsilon by phorbol esters of different biological activities

Phorbol esters, tetradecanoylphorbolacetate, sapintoxin-A, 12-deoxyphorbol-phenylacetate, 12-deoxyphorbol-phenylacetate-20-acetate, thymeleatoxin and resiniferatoxin were investigated for their abilities to activate the PKC-isotypes alpha, beta 1, gamma, delta and epsilon. PKC-isotypes were grouped into two classes on the basis of Ca2+ requirements for activation by phorbol esters; alpha, beta 1, and gamma being Ca(2+)-dependent forms and delta and epsilon being Ca(2+)-independent. PKC-isotype selective activation by phorbol esters was observed in that SAPA failed to activate PKC-delta up to a concentration of 1000 ng.ml-1 and DOPPA only activated PKC-beta 1 over the same range of concentrations.

Effect of protein kinase C on amylase secretion and cyclic AMP production in rat pancreatic acinar cells

The authors examined the effects of protein kinase C on secretin-induced amylase release and cyclic AMP production in rat pancreatic acinar cells. Secretin (10(-6) M) and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) (10(-6) M) induced 53% and 60% increase of amylase release from the basal level, respectively during 10 min. Simultaneous addition of TPA and secretin resulted in 42% amylase release from the basal level for 10 min. Suppression of secretin-induced amylase release was evident within 5 min of pretreatment with TPA. TPA showed the same effect on cyclic AMP production; secretin-induced increase of cyclic AMP was suppressed by pretreatment of TPA for 5 min. To explore the mechanism by which TPA inhibits secretin-induced cyclic AMP production, we also examined the effects of protein kinase C purified from rat brain on adenylate cyclase activity in pancreatic acinar membranes. Basal, forskolin- and secretin plus guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]trisphosphate-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity were inhibited by protein kinase C in the presence of Ca++. These results suggest that protein kinase C might have a role in the inhibitory effect on adenylate cyclase in exocrine pancreas.

Early effect of BCNU on rat astrocytes. Inhibition of S6 kinase activation by growth factors

In primary cultures of astrocytes, methylmethane, 2-N-methyl 9-hydroxy-ellepticinium acetate, ditercalinium, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea and 1,3 bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) blocked to various extents the activation of S6 kinase by acidic fibroblast growth factor and insulin [or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)]. The effects of the most active agent, BCNU, were time and concentration dependent. Pretreatment of cells with 50 microM BCNU for 1 hr completely prevented S6 kinase activation by growth factors for at least 2 days. The S6 kinase activity of unstimulated cells was slightly affected. S6 kinase activation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13 acetate was also strongly impaired by treating cells with BCNU whereas activation by 8-bromo-cyclic AMP was slightly reduced. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and phospholipid and Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase were unaffected. BCNU had no direct effect on IGF1 binding to cell surface receptors or on the S6 kinase activity of cell cytosols.

Inhibition by taurine of the phosphorylation of specific synaptosomal proteins in the rat cortex: effects of taurine on the stimulation of calcium uptake in mitochondria and inhibition of phosphoinositide turnover

It has been previously observed that taurine inhibits PKC-activated phosphorylation of specific proteins including a approximately 20k Mr protein in rat cortical synaptosomes. In the present study, the mechanism of the above effects of taurine were investigated. In an intrasynaptosomal cytosol fraction obtained by subcellular fractionation, taurine did not have inhibitory effects on protein phosphorylation. However, taurine did inhibit the phosphorylation of the approximately 20k Mr protein in a reconstituted preparation containing intrasynaptosomal cytosol and mitochondria. Experiments measuring calcium uptake demonstrated that taurine increased the accumulation of 45Ca2+ in the mitochondrial fraction in incubation systems both in the absence and presence of added ATP. In addition, taurine inhibited the accumulation of 32P-labeled phosphatidic acid in synaptosomes indicative of a reduction in the levels of diacylglycerol. These results suggest that taurine may inhibit specific protein phosphorylation both by reducing cytosolic calcium levels and by inhibiting the turnover of phosphoinositides. These effects of taurine on the signal transduction cascade involving PKC and phosphoinositide metabolism indicate a potential biological role for taurine in the nervous system.

Nuclear protein kinases in rat liver: evidence for increased histone H1 phosphorylating activity during liver regeneration

Comparison of protein kinase activity in normal and regenerating rat liver nuclei indicates that exogenous histone H1 is hyperphosphorylated in 22-h regenerating nuclei. The protein kinase involved is not sensitive to protein kinase A inhibitor, is inhibited by staurosporine and by an anti-PKC polyclonal antibody, utilizes only ATP, and also phosphorylates the C-terminal fragment of histone H1. These data suggest that protein kinase C is responsible for the observed effects, in agreement with the presence of this enzyme in normal and regenerating nuclei demonstrated by immunoblotting.

Pendolmycin, a new tumor promoter of the teleocidin A class on skin of CD-1 mice

Pendolmycin, isolated from Nocardiopsis, is a compound structurally similar to teleocidin A, one of the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-type tumor promoters. Pendolmycin has a C5 dimethyl allyl group attached to C-7 of (-)-indolactam-V, whereas teleocidin A has a C10 linalyl group attached to the molecule. The structure-activity relationships of a hydrophobic moiety attached to (-)-indolactam-V were studied in four compounds, (-)-indolactam-V, pendolmycin, teleocidin A and newly synthesized 7-(nerolidyl)-(-)-indolactam-V in tests on inhibition of the specific [3H]TPA binding to a particulate fraction of mouse skin, activation of protein kinase C and induction of both adhesion of HL-60 cells and ornithine decarboxylase in mouse skin. The potencies of the compounds for these activities increased mainly depending on the length of the hydrophobic group. Pendolmycin had a tumor-promoting activity on mouse skin initiated with a single application of 7,12-dimethyl-benz[a]anthracene, and its potency was just between those of (-)-indolactam-V and teleocidin A. The role of the hydrophobic moiety is discussed with particular emphasis on the results obtained with 7-(nerolidyl)-(-)-indolactam-V.

GM-CSF and phorbol esters modulate GM-CSF receptor expression by independent mechanisms

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (0.1 nM) down-modulates its receptor in IL-3/GM-CSF dependent M-07e cells, in KG-1 cells and normal granulocytes, whereas phorbol esters 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (2 nM) down-modulates the GM-CSF receptor in M-07e cells and granulocytes but not in KG-1 cells. As data analysis shows by nonlinear regression, the decreased binding ability depends on a reduction of the binding sites with no significant change of their dissociation constant. To gain insight into the mechanisms involved in the GM-CSF receptor regulation, we investigated the role of protein kinase C (PKC). GM-CSF, unlike TPA, was unable to activate PKC in all the cells studied. Moreover, unlike TPA, GM-CSF was still able to down-modulate its receptor in cells where PKC was inhibited by 1-(5-isoquinolonesulphonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7) and staurosporine or in cells where PKC was exhausted by prolonged incubation with 1 microM TPA. Finally, the receptor re-expression rate was accelerated by protein kinases inhibitors. These results, taken together, indicate the presence of a PKC-dependent and -independent down-modulation mechanism and a negative role of the endogeneous protein kinases in GM-CSF receptor re-expression.

The direct measurement of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in isolated membranes using a selective peptide substrate

A protein kinase C (PKC)-selective peptide substrate was used to develop a method for measuring PKC activity directly and quantitatively in isolated cell membranes without prior detergent extraction and reconstitution of the enzyme with phosphatidylserine and TPA in the presence of excess Ca2+. This simple and rapid method can reliably measure changes in membrane-associated PKC activity induced by various bioactive compounds such as hormones and growth factors. Also, this method, which measures PKC activity in its native membrane-associated state, has the advantage of being able to distinguish between active and inactive PKC associated with cell membranes.

Protein kinase C-induced redistribution of the cytoskeleton and phosphorylation of vimentin in cultured brain macrophages

The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-acetate (TPA) induced prominent and transient changes in the organization of the cytoskeleton in cultured amoeboid microglial cells including redistribution of actin toward the center of the cells and in the subplasmalemmal region, appearance of fine actin filaments, retraction of microtubules (MT), and rearrangement of intermediate filaments (IF) containing vimentin. The possible implication of protein kinase C (PKC) in mediating the effects of TPA was suggested by a parallel shift of PKC activity from the soluble to membrane fractions and phosphorylation of several microglial proteins. The rearrangement of IF closely correlated with increased vimentin phosphorylation, detected by pulse labeling of intact cells. Two monoclonal antivimentin antibodies, B3 and V9, showed different staining patterns. Immunoreactivity with the antibody B3 was more restricted and could be abolished by treatment of fixed, permeabilized cells with alkaline phosphatase, thus suggesting that the antibody reacts with a phosphorylated epitope. Using this antibody, rearrangement of IF involving vimentin phosphorylation was detected within 15 to 60 min of treatment with 50 nM TPA and consisted in the appearance of intense perinuclear fluorescent label. This perinuclear fluorescence persisted up to 24 hr after TPA removal and gradually diminished during the following 2 to 3 days. Immunochemical analysis of nonionic detergent-soluble and -insoluble extracts from untreated and TPA-treated cells revealed no differences in vimentin solubility suggesting that TPA induced vimentin phosphorylation does not result in notable vimentin filament disassembly. However the extent of vimentin degradation was more prominent in TPA-treated cultures indicating a higher sensitivity of vimentin to proteolytic degradation. The data show that PKC-mediated phosphorylation of vimentin results in precise spatial and temporal rearrangement of IF which are not associated with altered vimentin solubility, but possibly changes the mechanical properties and interactions of vimentin filaments.

Protein kinase C and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II phosphorylate a novel 58-kDa protein in synaptic vesicles

A monoclonal antibody was made using the spleen cells of a mouse immunized with chick synaptic membranes and designated as mAb 1D12. It immunoprecipitated 25% of the omega-conotoxin binding protein but no dihydropyridine binding protein solubilized from chick brain membranes. By immunoblotting, a polypeptide of 58-kDa was identified as the antigen of this antibody in chick, rat, rabbit and guinea pig brain. Immunohistochemical observation indicated the immunoreactivity of mAb 1D12 to be localized in the synaptic regions of central and peripheral neurons. In peripheral organs, there was additional staining in the distal portions of nerve fibers. Immunoelectron microscopy showed immunoreactivity to be located in synaptic vesicle and presynaptic plasma membranes. In the subcellular fractionation of rat brain, 58-kDa protein was recovered in the fractions of synaptic vesicles and plasma membranes but not soluble proteins. This protein could be extracted from membranes by Triton X-100 but treatment with EDTA, acid, base or high salt failed to have such effect. Solubilized 58-kDa protein of rat brain was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using mAb 1D12. Both protein kinase C and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) phosphorylated purified 58-kDa protein, and maxima of 0.47 and 0.94 mol of phosphates, respectively, were incorporated per mol of 58-kDa protein. 58-kDa protein was not phosphorylated by either cAMP-dependent or cGMP-dependent protein kinase. When present in membranes, it was also phosphorylated by protein kinase C and CaM kinase II. Possible involvement of 58-kDa protein in the protein kinase C and CaM kinase II-mediated regulation of synaptic transmission in central and peripheral neurons is discussed.

Inhibitory effects of new types of biflavonoid-related polyphenols; lophirone A and lophiraic acid, on some tumor promoter-induced biological responses in vitro and in vivo

Lophirone A, isolated as a new type of biflavonoid-related inhibitor of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation, was tested for further inhibitory properties against tumor promotion by short-term system. Lophirone A (200 micrograms) significantly inhibited inflammation of mouse ear (inhibitory effect (IE) = 70%) by 12-O-hexadecanoyl-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate (HHPA, 2 micrograms). It also inhibited both Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) activation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, IC50 = 50 microM). Application of lophirone A (160 nmol) reduced the number of tumors per mouse (IE = 85%) in an initiation-promotion experiment using dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA, 0.19 mumol) and TPA (1.6 nmol) on ICR mouse skin. Lophiraic acid, a related polyphenol, was negative in all of the short-term tests. An important chemical factor which may reduce the activities of flavonoid class of inhibitors for tumor promotion was indicated.

Protein kinase C and cyclic AMP modulate thrombin-induced platelet-activating factor synthesis in human endothelial cells

Stimulation of human endothelial cells (EC) by thrombin elicits a rapid increase of intracellular free Ca2+ [(Ca2+]i), platelet-activating factor (PAF) production and 1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine (lyso-PAF): acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.67) activity. The treatment of EC with thrombin leads to a 90% decrease in the cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC) activity; this dramatic decline is accompanied by an increase of the enzymatic activity in the particulate fraction. The role of PKC in thrombin-mediated PAF synthesis has been assessed: (1) by the blockade of PKC activity with partially selective inhibitors (palmitoyl-carnitine, sphingosine and H-7); (2) by chronic exposure of EC to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which results in down-regulation of PKC. In both cases, a strong inhibition of thrombin-induced PAF production is observed, suggesting obligatory requirement of PKC activity for PAF synthesis. It is suggested that PKC regulates EC phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity as thrombin-induced arachidonic acid (AA) release is 90% inhibited in PKC-depleted cells. Brief exposure of EC to PMA strongly inhibits thrombin-induced [Ca2+]i rise, acetyltransferase activation and PAF production, suggesting that, in addition to the positive forward action, PKC provides a negative feedback control over membrane signalling pathways involved in the thrombin effect on EC. Forskolin and iloprost, two agents that increase the level of cellular cAMP in EC, are very effective in inhibiting thrombin-evoked cytosolic Ca2+ rise, acetyltransferase activation and PAF production; this suggests that endogenously generated prostacyclin (PGI2) may modulate the synthesis of PAF in human endothelial cells.

Effects of sphingosine on phorbol ester-mediated changes in astrocyte morphology and protein phosphorylation

Previous studies indicate that phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) can induce morphological changes in astrocytes cultured from the rat neocortex. PMA also increased 32P incorporation into several proteins, including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, and proteins with molecular weights of 80,000 (pI 4.5), 50,000 (pI 4.9), and 30,000 (pI 5.5). The present studies were conducted to determine if the morphological effect and the phosphorylation effect of PMA could be blocked by treatment with sphingosine, a protein kinase C inhibitor. Treatment with 15 microM sphingosine inhibited the effect of PMA on astrocyte morphology. This agent also inhibited the increase in phosphorylation mediated by PMA. The percent inhibition ranged from approximately 20% for the 30,000-Mr protein to 70% for GFAP. Analysis of phosphorylation sites on GFAP and vimentin using two-dimensional tryptic mapping techniques indicate that the partial inhibition of phosphorylation is likely the consequence of partial inhibition of protein kinase C rather than a selective inhibition at some phosphorylation sites and not others. In addition to increasing 32P incorporation into various proteins, PMA also decreased 32P incorporation in several 20,000-Mr proteins (pI values of 6.7, 6.4, 6.2, 4.9). However, this effect was not blocked by treatment with sphingosine. This suggests that the actions of PMA to increase and decrease 32P incorporation are mediated by different mechanisms.

Polymyxin B is a selective and potent antagonist of calmodulin

Polymyxin B, a cyclic peptide antibiotic, is considered to be a rather selective antagonist of protein kinase C. This drug is therefore widely used to evaluate the involvement of protein kinase C in cellular processes. In the present study, we investigated the effects of polymyxin B on the activity of calmodulin-dependent cyclic 3':5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase in vitro. The drug potently inhibited this enzyme (IC50 80 nM in the presence of 500 microM Ca2+), while about 200-fold higher concentrations were required to inhibit protein kinase C to the same extent. Phosphodiesterase inhibition was competitive with respect to Ca2+ and calmodulin. Evidence for the formation of a complex between polymyxin B and calmodulin was obtained by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions, and by affinity chromatography of calmodulin on polymyxin B-agarose. We therefore suggest that, at least in vitro, polymyxin B is a potent and selective inhibitor of calmodulin.

Differential expression of protein kinase C isozymes in rat glial cell cultures

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of closely related enzymes implicated in molecular processes involved in growth and differentiation in a variety of cells. We studied the presence and distribution of 4 PKC isozymes in glial cell cultures of the rat hippocampus employing antisera raised against synthetic peptides predicted from the cDNA sequences corresponding to the C-terminal portion of 4 PKC isoforms, alpha, beta I, beta II, and gamma. PKC(alpha) and -(beta II), but neither PKC(beta I) nor -(gamma) isoforms were detected in glial cultures of the rat hippocampus. Anti-PKC(alpha) immunostained all glial cells, whereas anti-PKC(beta II) faintly stained about 20% of total glial cells resembling the type-2 astrocyte that were GFAP immunopositive, with few processes. Anti-PKC(beta II) did not stain about 80% of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunopositive cells with a few thick processes which resembled the type-1 astrocyte. A few cells that stained intensely with anti-PKC(beta II) were GFAP immunopositive and possessed fine, but well-developed, multiple processes. Faint PKC(beta II) immunoreactivity was also detected among anti-MBP-positive cells (possibly oligodendrocytes), RCA-1-positive cells (possibly microglia), and small, oval, anti-GFAP-positive cells. These results suggest the involvement of distinct PKC isoforms in different glial functions.

Characterization of a new substrate for protein kinase C: assay by continuous fluorometric monitoring and high performance liquid chromatography

A synthetic peptide derived from the phosphorylation site in the beta-subunit of phosphorylase kinase (RTKRSGSVYEPLKI) is an efficient substrate for rat brain protein kinase C: Km = 18 +/- 2 microM and Vmax = 2.1 +/- 0.1 mumol/min/mg. The phosphorylation of the peptide, which occurs at Ser7, can be followed by four independent procedures. 1. Standard measurement of 32P incorporation. 2. Reverse phase HPLC in a gradient system containing 0.1 M ammonium sulfate in the stationary phase. 3. Continuous fluorometric monitoring of the changes in intrinsic peptide fluorescence. 4. Continuous fluorometric determination of NADH oxidation in a coupled enzyme assay.

Age-dependent decrease of process formation by cultured oligodendrocytes is augmented by protein kinase C stimulation

The proportion of cultured rat oligodendrocytes (OL) that extended processes of over three soma diameter in length is dependent on the age of the animals from which the brains were derived; up to 70% of neonatal OL attained this criterion within 3 days, and this proportion progressively decreased with advancing ages of the animals (1, 3, and 6 months). The lower extent of process formation from older rat OL could be augmented, and indeed to equal neonatal levels, by treatment of cells with phorbol esters that stimulate protein kinase C: 4 beta-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Enhancement of process formation by PDB and PMA was also observed for cultured adult human and bovine OL. For adult OL from all three species, a phorbol ester that binds but that does not activate protein kinase C, 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, did not result in enhancement of process formation. Selectively to biologically active phorbol esters was shown by the inability of a wide range of growth factors to promote process extension. Immunohistochemical analyses indicate that the type III isozyme of protein kinase C predominates in cultured OL; the apparent intensity of immunoreactive PKC was not different between controls or cultures treated for 12 days with PDB, suggesting that the persistent presence of PDB might not have down-regulated the enzyme, in contrast to other cell types. We propose that stimulation of protein kinase C is critical to the triggering of process formation by cultured OL in vitro.

Prolactin stimulation of protein kinase C activity in the rat hypothalamus

Stimulation of cultured hypothalamic slices with PRL causes a rapid translocation of a Ca2+/phospholipid dependent protein kinase from the cytosol to the membrane fraction. The translocation of PKC from the cytosol to the membrane occurred at physiological concentrations of PRL with a maximal response occurring at 10(-10) M. At concentrations above this, there was less PKC activity translocated from the cytosol to the membrane. When injected into the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus, PRL resulted in a similar translocation of PKC activity. These data clearly indicate that PRL can activate PKC in the rat hypothalamus, and suggest that PKC may be one of the transmembrane signaling mechanisms involved in the regulation of brain function by prolactin.

Inhibition of protein kinase C by calphostin C is light-dependent

Calphostin C, a secondary metabolite of the fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides, inhibits protein kinase C by competing at the binding site for diacylglycerol and phorbol esters. Calphostin C is a polycyclic hydrocarbon with strong absorbance in the visible and ultraviolet ranges. In characterizing the activity of this compound, we unexpectedly found that the inhibition of [3H]phorbol dibutyrate binding was dependent on exposure to light. Ordinary fluorescent light was sufficient for full activation. The inhibition of protein kinase C activity in cell-free systems and intact cells also required light. Light-dependent cytotoxicity was seen at concentrations about 5-fold higher than those inhibiting protein kinase C.

Altered erythrocyte protein kinase C activity and membrane protein phosphorylation in chronic myelogenous leukemia

The membrane protein kinase C (PKC) content was found to be higher in erythrocytes form patients suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) compared to normal erythrocytes. PKC activity was also higher in the cytosol and after translocation to the membrane, as assessed by histone phosphorylation. The increased PKC activity in CML erythrocytes was associated with abnormal phosphorylation of protein 4.1. Since phosphorylation-dephosphorylation mechanisms are likely candidates for controlling membrane protein associations, the altered PKC activity may be one of the factors responsible for altered thermal sensitivity and mechanical stability of CML erythrocytes.

Autoradiographic analysis of second messenger and neurotransmitter system receptors in the gerbil hippocampus following transient forebrain ischemia

Changes in second messenger and neurotransmitter system receptor ligand binding induced by transient forebrain ischemia were studied in the gerbil hippocampus. The animals were allowed variable periods of recovery ranging from 2 h to 7 days after 5-min bilateral carotid artery occlusion. The binding of second messenger systems ([3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate ([3H]IP3)to inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate, [3H]forskolin to adenylate cyclase and [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutylate to protein kinase C) and neurotransmitter receptor systems ([3H]PN200-110 to L-type calcium channels. [3H]N6-cyclohexyl-adenosine to adenosine A1 and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate to muscarinic cholinergic receptor) were assayed using quantitative autoradiography. In the CA1 subfield, 2 h after ischemia, [3H]IP3, [3H]forskolin, and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding activities significantly decreased by 25, 17 and 13%, respectively, though no morphological abnormalities were obvious. Six hours after ischemia, the [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutylate binding activity in the stratum oriens of the CA1 subfield increased by 15%. One day after ischemia, [3H]PN200-110 binding activity in this subfield decreased by 26%, and 7 days after ischemia, [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutylate and [3H]N6-cyclohexyl-adenosine receptor binding activities decreased in this subfield. In particular, at 7 days after ischemia, [3H]IP3 binding activity in the CA1 subfield showed a complete decline. In the CA3 subfield, [3H]PN200-110 binding activity decreased 2 days after ischemia, and [3H]IP3 and [3H]N6-cyclohexyl-adenosine binding activities decreased 7 days after ischemia. In the dentate gyrus, the structure of which remained histologically intact after ischemic insult, [3H]IP3 and [3H]forskolin binding activities decreased 7 days after ischemia. In contrast, the [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutylate binding activity increased in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus 7 days after ischemia. These results indicate that marked alteration of intracellular signal transduction precedes neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 subfield and that the histologically intact CA3 and dentate gyrus also shows modulated neuronal transmission after ischemia.

Synaptosomal protein kinase C subspecies: B. Down-regulation promoted by phorbol ester and its effect on evoked norepinephrine release

The effect of phorbol esters was investigated on the down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) and on the release of [3H]norepinephrine (NE) in synaptosomes from the rat cerebrum. Treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) promoted the translocation of PKC activity in a P2 fraction from the cytosol to the membrane fraction and then its down-regulation, in a dose-dependent manner. TPA induced a rapid down-regulation of the type II(beta) and type III(alpha) subspecies, but did not change the activity of the type I(gamma) subspecies in the cytosolic fraction for at least 15 min. The gamma-subspecies was subsequently decreased at a slower rate. In the synaptosomes thus having only the gamma-subspecies, a subsequent dose of TPA could not enhance K(+)-evoked NE release, although, in the original synaptosomes, TPA was able to enhance K(+)-evoked NE release. Pretreatment with TPA did not alter the K(+)-evoked NE release itself. TPA was also found to enhance the K(+)-evoked NE release from synaptosomes prepared from both hippocampus, which express the gamma-subspecies of PKC at a negligible level, and cerebral cortex, which have a significant level of the gamma-subspecies, to the same degree. These results suggest that the gamma-subspecies of PKC does not participate in the TPA-enhanced K(+)-evoked NE release from synaptosomes.

Identification and characterization of the ATP.Mg-dependent protein phosphatase activator (FA) as a microtubule protein kinase in the brain

The activating factor of ATP.Mg-dependent protein phosphatase (FA) has been identified in brain microtubules. When using purified MAP-2 (microtubule associated protein 2) and tau proteins as substrates, FA could phosphorylate MAP-2 to 16 moles of phosphates per mole of protein with a Km value of 0.4 microM, and tau proteins to 4 moles of phosphates per mole of proteins with a Km value of about 3 microM. When using microtubules as substrates, FA could enhance many-fold the endogenous phosphorylation of many microtubule-associated proteins including MAP-2, tau proteins, and several low-molecular-weight MAPs. In contrast to other reported MAP kinases, such as cAMP-dependent protein kinase and Ca+2/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, the FA-catalyzed phosphorylation of tau proteins could cause an electrophoretic mobility shift on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, suggesting that a dramatic conformational change of tau proteins was produced by FA. Peptide mapping analysis of the phosphopeptides derived from SV8 protease digestion revealed that FA could phosphorylate MAP-2 and tau proteins on at least four specific sites distinctly different from those phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent and Ca+2/phospholipid-dependent MAP kinases. Quantitative analysis further indicated that approximately 19% of the total endogenous kinase activity in brain microtubules was due to FA. Taken together, the results provide initial evidence that the ATP.Mg-dependent protein phosphatase activating factor (FA) is a potent and unique MAP kinase, and may represent one of the major factors involved in phosphorylation of brain microtubules.

Effects of chronic lithium treatment on protein kinase C and cyclic AMP-dependent protein phosphorylation

Lithium inhibits the agonist-induced hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and the synthesis of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in rat brain preparations, each of which is linked to activation of specific protein kinases. Therefore, we examined the effects of chronic lithium treatment on protein kinase activities in rat hippocampus. Chronic lithium treatment did not alter the distribution or activity of protein kinase C in hippocampal soluble or particulate fractions. However, chronic lithium treatment increased protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of four endogenous proteins in the soluble fraction (16,17,20,22 kD) and reduced the phosphorylation of three proteins (18,19,87 kD) in the particulate fraction. Chronic lithium treatment did not alter cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of endogenous proteins in the soluble fraction but reduced phosphorylation of two proteins (54 and 71 kD) in the particulate fractions. These results demonstrate that besides inhibiting second messenger production in brain, chronic lithium treatment also causes specific alterations in the phosphorylation of endogenous proteins.

Ca(2+)-dependent phosphorylation of synapsin I as a possible regulatory mechanism of neurosecretion

Phosphorylation of homogeneous synapsin I isolated from human brain by Ca2+, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) from the same source was studied. The inhibitory effect of calmodulin on this process was demonstrated. The kinetics of activation of synapsin I phosphorylation by acidic phospholipids, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol, in the absence and presence of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate and diacylglycerol was compared. The proteolytic effect of degradation of the synapsin I molecule phosphorylated by Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II was revealed. No proteolysis of synapsin phosphorylated under similar conditions either by protein kinase C or cAMP-dependent protein kinase was detected. In view of the process specificity, the physiological significance of the observed effect is suggested. The inter-relationship between two ways of neurosecretion regulation is discussed: an earlier known, conventional way, mediated by synapsin I phosphorylation by Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, and another one, mediated by synapsin I phosphorylation by protein kinase C. The modulating role of polyphosphoinositides in the PK C-dependent way of regulation is considered.

Inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate promoted tumorigenesis by cepharanthine, a biscoclaurine alkaloid, in relation to the inhibitory effect on protein kinase C

In two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis initiated by 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene (DMBA), cepharanthine inhibited the tumor promoting activity of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Since Ca2(+)-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC) was shown to be an intracellular target of TPA, effects of cepharanthine on the activity of this enzyme were investigated Cepharanthine also inhibited the phosphorylation of H1 histone by PKC in a concentration dependent manner. While cepharanthine inhibited the association of H1 histone with phospholipid vesicles, autophosphorylation of PKC was not inhibited by this drug. Cepharanthine also inhibited TPA-stimulated phosphorylation of some cytoplasmic proteins of mouse skin epidermis. These results indicated the possibility that anti-tumor promoting action of cepharanthine was the result of inhibition of PKC dependent cytoplasmic protein phosphorylation through the reduction of the interaction of these proteins with the plasma membrane.

Involvement of lipid peroxidation and inhibitory mechanisms on ischemic neuronal damage in gerbil hippocampus: quantitative autoradiographic studies on second messenger and neurotransmitter systems

We investigated, to examine the involvement of lipid peroxidation and inhibitory mechanisms, a novel lipid peroxidation inhibitor (KB-5666) and a GABAA receptor-effector (pentobarbital) on ischemic neuronal damage and the alterations in the second messenger and neurotransmitter systems in Mongolian gerbils by means of morphology and in vitro receptor autoradiography. Quantitative receptor autoradiography visualized binding sites for [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, [3H]forskolin, [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, [3H]isradipine (PN200-110), [3H]N6-cyclohexyl-adenosine, and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate indicating binding sites for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, forskolin, protein kinase C, L-type calcium channels (or dihydropyridine binding sites), adenosine A1, and muscarinic cholinergic receptors, respectively. In the morphological study, KB-5666, 10 and 50 mg/kg, i.v., 5 min before ischemia, protected against ischemic neuronal damage to the hippocampal CA1 subfield following 5 min of bilateral carotid artery occlusion in a dose-dependent manner. Pentobarbital, 30 mg/kg, i.v., 5 min before ischemia, also had a protective effect. In receptor autoradiographic studies, all receptor bindings decreased significantly in the CA1 subfield seven days after ischemia. In particular, [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate binding in the CA1 subfield was completely lost after ischemia. [3H]Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and [3H]forskolin binding decreased as early as 6 h after ischemia. In the CA3 subfield, [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, [3H]PN200-110, and [3H]N6-cyclohexyladenosine bindings decreased seven days after ischemia. In the dentate gyrus, [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate binding decreased seven days after ischemia. KB-5666 and pentobarbital prevented reductions in these receptor bindings in the CA1 subfield at 6 h and seven days after ischemia. These results indicate that KB-5666 and pentobarbital protect the brain from both structural and functional damage after ischemia, and that lipid peroxidation and inhibitory mechanisms may play a pivotal role in the neuronal damage of the hippocampal CA1 subfield after ischemia.

Substance P and its fragments affect Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent synaptosomal membrane protein phosphorylation from rat cerebral cortex

1. We have used synaptosomal membranes to study the influence of substance P and its fragments and analogues of its C-terminal fragment on Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent synapsin I endogenous phosphorylation. 2. SP1-11, SP1-4, [Tyr8]SP6-11 and [pGlu6, Tyr8]SP6-11 at 10(-3) M greatly inhibited synapsin I phosphorylation. 3. SP6-11 at all investigated concentrations and SP1-11, SP1-4, [Tyr8]SP6-11, [pGlu6, Tyr8]SP6-11 at 10(-4) and 10(-5) M were ineffective. 4. The results indicate that SP1-11 and its N-terminal fragment and analogues of its C-terminal fragment act on the phosphorylation of specific synaptic protein (synapsin I) and therefore may influence the release of neurotransmitters, membrane conductance and potentiation or inhibition of other signalling systems.

The use of microwave tissue fixation to demonstrate the in vivo phosphorylation of an acidic 80,000 molecular weight protein in the rat neocortex following treatment with soman

Studies were conducted to determine if soman, a cholinesterase inhibitor, could activate the protein kinase C system in the rat neocortex. Using microwave radiation for rapid tissue fixation, it was demonstrated that treatment with soman increased 32P incorporation into an acidic 80,000 molecular weight, heat-stable protein in vivo. Based on relative molecular weight and isoelectric point this protein appears to be identical to a protein identified as a substrate for protein kinase C. Additionally, a protein of the same molecular weight and isoelectric point could be phosphorylated in tissue slices prepared from the neocortex by cholinergic dependent mechanisms. Also, treatment with soman decreased protein kinase C in the soluble fraction of this brain region; however, no corresponding increase was observed in the particulate fraction. These results suggest that soman can activate protein kinase C in vivo, and demonstrate the utility of using microwave tissue fixation to study protein phosphorylation events in vivo.

Differential effects of isoquinolinesulfonamide protein kinase inhibitors on CA1 responses in hippocampal slices

The effects of the isoquinolinesulfonamide protein kinase inhibitors 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) and N-(2-guanidinoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (HA1004) on CA1 responses in hippocampal slices of the rat were examined to clarify their mode of action, and also to further define the role of Ca(2+) -dependent kinases in long-term potentiation. Initially, the inhibitory potencies of H-7 and HA1004 against both protein kinase C and type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase were examined in standard in vitro phosphorylation assays. The apparent Ki values of H-7 and HA1004 for protein kinase C were 9 and 57 microM, respectively. In contrast, the Ki values of H-7 and HA1004 for type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase were 156 and 13 microM, respectively. These results indicate that H-7 is a more effective inhibitor of protein kinase C, whereas HA1004 is a more effective inhibitor of type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Following the induction of long-term potentiation, addition of 50 microM H-7 or HA1004 substantially increased the amplitude of the population spike in a control pathway, while producing no change or a slight increase in the spike amplitude in a previously potentiated long-term potentiation pathway. Moreover, H-7 (50 microM), but not HA1004, produced multiple population spikes in both pathways. Addition of a higher concentration of H-7 (300 microM) reduced the amplitude of the initial population spike but still produced multiple spikes. HA1004 (300 microM) typically produced effects similar to those observed with 50 microM H-7, increasing the amplitude of the control population spike and producing multiple spike activity in both pathways. In contrast to the differential concentration-dependent effects of H-7 on the population spike responses, qualitatively similar effects were observed at both low (50 microM) and high (300 microM) concentrations with regard to synaptic field responses. The initial slope of the population excitatory postsynaptic potential was significantly reduced by H-7, to a similar degree in both pathways. HA1004 produced a modest, but insignificant reduction in both pathways. These results, in conjunction with other reports, suggest that H-7 and HA1004 exert complex concentration-dependent effects with synchronously affect both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission. We hypothesize that reduction of the population excitatory postsynaptic potential and spike (300 microM H-7) is due to reduction of excitatory inputs, whereas enhancement of the population spike amplitude (50 microM H-7) and the production of multiple spikes are due to the reduction of GABA-mediated inhibitory inputs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Protein kinase C

Based on the molecular structure of the individual members of the protein kinase C family, general properties and the mode of activation of this enzyme family are discussed. Examples are presented of how the investigation of protein kinase C function in vivo has been approached at the molecular level.

Protein kinase C activity and contractile responsiveness in senescent blood vessels

To examine Ca2(+)-signaling receptor function in the aging vasculature, the status of the diacylglycerol/protein kinase C (DAG/PKC) arm of the signal transduction pathway was assessed. contractile responsiveness to the PKC activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), is substantially reduced in aortae from 24-month-old Fischer 344 rats compared to 6-month-old rats. PKC activity is reduced in all senescent vessels yet studied including aorta, renal artery, iliac artery and vena cava. This may account for the reduced contractile responsiveness. Additionally, PMA-stimulated PKC translocation is substantially reduced in senescent aorta and this may also contribute to reduced contraction.

General assay for phosphoproteins in cerebrospinal fluid: a candidate marker for paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration

The components of protein phosphorylation systems (protein kinases, protein phosphatases, and their phosphoprotein substrates) are highly enriched in neuronal cells compared with other cell types. We exploited this relative neuronal enrichment of protein phosphorylation system components to develop a general assay technique for putative protein kinase substrates (phosphoproteins) in human cerebrospinal fluid. Using this cerebrospinal fluid phosphoprotein assay, we have detected a putative protein kinase C substrate protein of apparent Mr 60 kd in 6 of 14 patients with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration but not in any of 55 patients with a variety of other neurological diseases. Phosphoproteins in cerebrospinal fluid may provide novel and unique markers for the diagnosis or staging of neuronal diseases as well as offer potential insights into the biochemical characterization of affected neuronal populations.

Decreased protein kinase C activity during cerebral ischemia and after reperfusion in the adult rat

The possible activation of protein kinase C (PKC) during total cerebral ischemia was investigated in the rat. Translocation of PKC activity from the soluble to the particulate fraction was used as an index of PKC activation. There was a drop in the proportion of particulate PKC activity from 30% for controls to 20% by 30 min of ischemia (p less than 0.01). By 20 min of cardiac arrest, there was a 40% decline of the total cellular PKC activity (p less than 0.01). This was not accompanied by an increase in activator-independent activity, a finding indicating PKC was not being converted to protein kinase M. These data suggest that PKC was not activated during ischemia, but rather that ischemia causes a reduction in cellular PKC activity. Translocation of PKC activity to the particulate fraction was not observed in the cerebral cortex or hippocampus of reperfused brain for up to 6 h of recovery following 11-13 min of total cerebral ischemia. The level of total, soluble, and particulate PKC activity in the cerebral cortex was reduced (p less than 0.05), corresponding to the decrease observed by 15 min of ischemia without reflow. A similar decline in activity was also observed in the hippocampus. No increase in activator-independent activity was observed. These data suggest that PKC was inhibited during cerebral ischemia and that this reduced level of PKC activity was maintained throughout 6 h of recovery. We conclude that pathological activation of PKC was not responsible for the evolution of ischemic brain damage.

Calcium free inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate stimulates protein kinase C dependent protein phosphorylation in nuclei isolated from mitogen-treated Swiss 3T3 cells

As a step towards the elucidation of the role played by nuclear polyphosphoinositides, we have investigated the effect of exogenous calcium free inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate on the in vitro phosphorylation of proteins in nuclei prepared from Swiss 3T3 cells treated with bombesin and insulin-like growth factor I. When present in combination with phosphatidylserine, inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate enhanced the phosphorylation of two nuclear proteins, Mr 21,000 and 31,000, as well as of exogenous histone H1, to the same extent as a combination of phosphatidylserine and diacylglycerol. Inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate alone had no effect. This stimulation could be abolished by the protein kinase C inhibitor sphingosine and by EGTA, while could be restored by a combination of phosphatidylserine and exogenous Ca+(+) ions. These results raise the possibility that inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate is capable of liberating Ca+(+) ions from a nuclear store thus stimulating protein kinase C activity.

Protein kinase C activity in the gerbil hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia: morphological and autoradiographic analysis using [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate

The influence of transient forebrain ischemia on the temporal alteration of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in the gerbil hippocampus was analyzed by quantitative autoradiography using [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu). The [3H]PDBu binding activity in the stratum oriens of the CA1 subfield increased at 6 h after ischemia, but the binding activity in this subfield decreased at 7 days after ischemia. In contrast, the [3H]PDBu binding activity increased in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus at 7 days after ischemia. Pre-treatment of pentobarbital prevented an increase in the [3H]PDBu binding activity in the stratum oriens of the CA1 subfield at 7 days after ischemia. These results indicate the possibilities that PKC may play a pivotal role in the post-ischemic neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 subfield.

Amino acid sequence of a 12-kDa inhibitor of protein kinase C

The complete primary structure of a bovine-brain-derived inhibitor of protein kinase C has been established. Fragments of the purified protein were obtained by cleavage with cyanogen bromide, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, trypsin and chymotrypsin. Subsequent analysis of the resulting fragments by fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry and Edman degradation revealed a calculated molecular mass of 11,779 Da with the following 107-amino-acid sequence: [sequence: see text] This inhibitor does not share significant primary structural identity with any other known protein.