Involvement of protein kinase C in the regulation of oocyte maturation in amphibians (Rana dybowskii)

Participation of MAPK, PKA and PP2A in the regulation of MPF activity in Bufo arenarum oocytes

The objectives of the present paper were to study the involvement and possible interactions of both cAMP-PKA and protein phosphatases in Bufo arenarum oocyte maturation and to determine if these pathways are independent or not of the MAP kinase (MAPK) cascade. Our results indicated that the inhibition of PKA by treatment with H-89, an inhibitor of the catalytic subunit of PKA, was capable of inducing GVBD in a dose-dependent manner by a pathway in which Cdc25 phosphatase but not the MAPK cascade is involved. The injection of 50 nl of H-89 10 μM produced GVBD percentages similar to those obtained with treatment with progesterone. In addition, the assays with okadaic acid (OA), a PP2A inhibitor, significantly enhanced the percentage of oocytes that resumed meiosis by a signal transducing pathway in which the activation of the MEK–MAPK pathway is necessary, but in which Cdc25 phosphatase was not involved. Treatment with H-89, was able to overcome the inhibitory effect of PKA on GVBD; however, the inhibition of Cdc25 activity with NaVO3 was able to overcome the induction of GVBD by H-89. Although the connections between PKA and other signalling molecules that regulate oocytes maturation are still unclear, our results suggest that phosphatase Cdc25 may be the direct substrate of PKA. In Xenopus oocytes it was proposed that PP2A, a major Ser/Thr phosphatase present, is a negative regulator of Cdc2 activation. However, in Bufo arenarum oocytes, inhibition of Cdc25 with NaVO3 did not inhibit OA-induced maturation, suggesting that the target of PP2A was not the Cdc25 phosphatase. MAPK activation has been reported to be essential in Xenopus oocytes GVBD. In B. arenarum oocytes we demonstrated that the inhibition of MAPK by PD 98059 prevented the activation of MPF induced by OA, suggesting that the activation of the MAPK cascade produced an inhibition of Myt1 and, in consequence, the activation of MPF without participation of the Cdc25 phosphatase. Our results suggest that in incompetent oocytes of B. arenarum two signal transduction pathways may be involved in the control of MPF activation: (1) the inhibition of phosphatase 2A that through the MEK–MAPK pathway regulates the activity of the Myt1; and (2) the inhibition of AMPc–PKA, which affects the activity of the Cdc25 phosphatase.

Activation of maturation promoting factor in Bufo arenarum oocytes: injection of mature cytoplasm and germinal vesicle contents

Although progesterone is the established maturation inducer in amphibians, Bufo arenarum oocytes obtained during the reproductive period (spring-summer) resume meiosis with no need of an exogenous hormonal stimulus if deprived of their enveloping follicle cells, a phenomenon called spontaneous maturation. In this species it is possible to obtain oocytes competent and incompetent to undergo spontaneous maturation according to the seasonal period in which animals are captured. Reinitiation of meiosis is regulated by maturation promoting factor (MPF), a complex of the cyclin-dependent kinase p34cdc2 and cyclin B. Although the function and molecule of MPF are common among species, the formation and activation mechanisms of MPF differ according to species. This study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of pre-MPF in Bufo arenarum oocytes incompetent to mature spontaneously and the effect of the injection of mature cytoplasm or germinal vesicle contents on the resumption of meiosis. The results of our treatment of Bufo arenarum immature oocytes incompetent to mature spontaneously with sodium metavanadate (NaVO3) and dexamethasone (DEX) indicates that these oocytes have a pre-MPF, which activates and induces germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) by dephosphorylation on Thr-14/Tyr-15 by cdc25 phosphatase and without cyclin B synthesis. The injection of cytoplasm containing active MPF is sufficient to activate an amplification loop that requires the activation of cdc25 and protein kinase C, the decrease in cAMP levels, and is independent of protein synthesis. However, the injection of germinal vesicle content also induces GVBD in the immature receptor oocyte, a process dependent on protein synthesis but not on cdc25 phosphatase or PKC activity.

Differing mechanisms of cAMP- versus seawater-induced oocyte maturation in marine nemertean worms I. The roles of serine/threonine kinases and phosphatases

Unlike in most animals, oocytes of marine nemertean worms initiate maturation (=germinal vesicle breakdown, GVBD) following an increase, rather than a decrease, in intraoocytic cAMP. To analyze how serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) kinase cascades involving mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), maturation-promoting factor (MPF), cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) regulate nemertean GVBD, oocytes of Cerebratulus sp. were treated with pharmacological modulators and stimulated with cAMP-elevating drugs or seawater (SW) alone. Both cAMP elevators and SW triggered GVBD while activating MAPK, its target p90Rsk, and MPF. Similarly, neither cAMP- nor SW-induced GVBD was affected by several Ser/Thr phosphatase inhibitors, and both stimuli apparently accelerated GVBD via a MAPK-independent, PI3K-dependent mechanism. However, inhibitors of Raf-1, a kinase that activates MAPK kinase, blocked GVBD and MAPK activation during SW-, but not cAMP-induced maturation. In addition, MPF blockers more effectively reduced GVBD and MAPK activity in SW versus in cAMP-elevating treatments. Moreover, the two maturation-inducing stimuli yielded disparate patterns of PKA-related MAPK activations and phosphorylations of putative PKA substrates. Collectively, such findings suggest that in maturing oocytes of Cerebratulus sp., Ser/Thr kinase cascades differ during cAMP- versus SW-induced GVBD in several ways, including MAPK activation modes, MPF-feedback loops, and PKA-related signaling pathways. Additional differences in cAMP- versus SW-induced oocyte maturation are also described in the accompanying study that deals with the roles of tyrosine kinase signaling during GVBD.

2-Hydroxyestradiol-17β-induced oocyte maturation in catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) involves protein kinase C and its interaction with protein phosphatases

In vitro effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, calphostin C (PKC inhibitor) and okadaic acid [OA, a protein phosphatase (PP; PP1 and PP2A) inhibitor] on 2-hydroxyestradiol-17beta (2-OHE(2))-induced oocyte maturation were investigated in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis. Incubations of postvitellogenic follicles with PMA or OA alone did not induce oocyte maturation. However, co-incubations with 2-OHE(2) and PMA (0.05, 0.5 and 5 microM) or 2-OHE(2) and OA (0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 microM) increased germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) significantly over that of 2-OHE(2). Incubation of follicles with calphostin C elicited varied effects on GVBD, low (0.005 and 0.01 microM) and high (5.0 and 10.0 microM) concentrations did not affect GVBD, but medium concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 microM) stimulated it. The medium concentrations elicited a biphasic stimulatory response with peak GVBD at 0.1 microM (54%). Calphostin C (>or=2.5 microM) inhibited the 2-OHE(2)-induced GVBD in a concentration-dependent manner during the 24 h incubation. Pre- or post-treatment with calphostin C inhibited the steroid-induced GVBD only at 6 h. In co-incubation studies, both PMA and OA reversed the inhibitory effect of calphostin C: the former partially and the latter fully. The results of the present study show that PKC appears to modulate the 2-OHE(2)-induced oocyte maturation. The OA-sensitive PP may be involved in the PKC modulation of steroid-induced oocyte maturation.

Interação entre células do cumulus e atividade da proteína quinase C em diferentes fases da maturação nuclear de oócitos bovinos

Verificou-se a influência da proteína quinase C (PK-C) no reinício e na progressão da meiose em oócitos bovinos, determinando se as células do cumulus são mediadoras da PK-C na regulação da maturação dos oócitos. Complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCO) e oócitos desnudos (OD), distribuídos aleatoriamente em seis tratamentos (T) com base na presença de um ativador da PK-C (PMA) (T1 e T2), de um forbol éster incapaz de ativar a PK-C (4alfa-PDD-controle) (T3 e T4) ou de apenas o meio básico (TCM-199-controle) (T5 e T6), foram cultivados por 7, 9, 12, 18 e 22 horas. A percentagem de rompimento da vesícula germinativa no grupo cultivado com PMA foi maior do que nos dois grupos controle, com e sem células do cumulus. O cultivo de CCO e OD por 12 e 18 horas demonstrou que a PK-C influencia a progressão para os estádios de metáfase I (MI) e metáfase II (MII) de maneira dependente das células do cumulus. Nos períodos de 9 e 22 horas, não foi possível observar diferença entre os grupos quanto aos diferentes estádios de maturação. A ativação da PK-C acelera o reinício da meiose independentemente das células somáticas e acelera a progressão até os estádios de MI e MII na dependência das células do cumulus.

Role of arachidonic acid and protein kinase C during maturation-inducing hormone-dependent meiotic resumption and ovulation in ovarian follicles of Atlantic croaker

The roles of arachidonic acid (AA) and protein kinase C (PKC) during in vitro maturation-inducing hormone (MIH)-dependent meiotic resumption (maturation) and ovulation were studied in ovarian follicles of Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). The requirement for cyclooxygenase (COX) metabolites of AA was examined using a nonspecific COX inhibitor, indomethacin (IM), as well as two COX products, prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) and PGE(2), whereas the role of lipoxygenase (LOX) was investigated using a specific LOX inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA). The involvement of PKC was examined using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a PKC activator, as well as GF109203X (GF), a specific inhibitor of PKC and 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7), nonspecific inhibitor of protein kinases. Genomic mechanisms were examined with the transcription-inhibitor actinomycin D (ActD) and the functionality of heterologous (oocyte-granulosa) gap junctions (GJ) with a dye transfer assay. The AA (100 microM) and PGF(2alpha) (5 microM) did not induce maturation, and NDGA (10 microM) did not affect MIH-dependent maturation. However, IM (100 microM) partially inhibited MIH-dependent maturation. Conversely, AA and both PGs induced, and IM and NDGA inhibited, MIH-dependent ovulation in matured follicles. The PMA (1 microg/ml) did not induce maturation but caused ovulation in matured follicles, whereas PKC inhibitors (GF, 5 microM; H7, 50 microM) did not affect MIH-dependent maturation but inhibited MIH- and PMA-dependent ovulation. The PMA-dependent ovulation was inhibited by IM but not by NDGA. In addition, ActD (5 microM) blocked MIH-dependent, but not PMA-dependent, ovulation, and PGF(2alpha) restored MIH-dependent ovulation in ActD-blocked follicles. The AA and PGs did not induce, and GF did not inhibit, MIH-dependent heterologous GJ uncoupling. In conclusion, AA and PKC mediate MIH-dependent ovulation but not meiotic resumption or heterologous GJ uncoupling in croaker follicles, but a permissive role of COX products of AA during maturation is possible. A novel model of MIH-dependent ovulation is proposed in which 1). LOX and COX metabolites of AA are both required for ovulation, but at upstream and downstream sites of the pathway, respectively, relative to PKC, and 2). PKC is downstream of genomic activation.

Involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase in the progesterone-induced oocyte maturation in Rana dybowskii

Previously, we observed that 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70(s6k)) plays an essential role during the early phase of oocyte maturation in Rana dybowskii. To investigate further the early signal transduction components involved in this process, the possible role of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3 kinase) during oocyte maturation was examined. Progesterone-induced oocyte maturation was significantly inhibited by wortmannin and LY294002, specific inhibitors of PI3 kinase. In contrast, protein kinase C activator 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced oocyte maturation was not inhibited by wortmannin. Protein synthesis was also significantly suppressed by wortmannin treatment during oocyte maturation. Moreover, PI3 kinase inhibitor suppressed progesterone-induced phosphorylation of S6 kinase in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, PI3 kinase inhibitors significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase which was increased during oocyte maturation. Finally, progesterone-induced H1 kinase activity was also inhibited by PI3 kinase inhibitors in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that PI3 kinase is an initial component of the signal transduction pathway which precedes p70(s6k), MAP kinase, and MPF production during progesterone-induced maturation of amphibian oocyte.

Protein kinase C and meiotic regulation in isolated mouse oocytes

In this study, the possible role of protein kinase C (PKC) in mediating both positive and negative actions on meiotic maturation in isolated mouse oocytes has been examined. When cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes (CEO) were cultured for 17-18 hr in a medium containing 4 mM hypoxanthine (HX) to maintain meiotic arrest, each of the five different activators and five different antagonists of PKC stimulated germinal vesicle breakdown (GVB) in a dose-dependent fashion. One of the activators, phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), also triggered GVB in CEO arrested with isobutylmethylxanthine or guanosine, but not in those arrested with dibutyryl cyclic AMP. When denuded oocytes (DO) were cultured for 3hr in inhibitor-free medium, all PKC activators suppressed maturation (<10% GVB compared to 94% in controls), while the effect of PKC antagonists was negligible. Four of the five antagonists reversed the meiosis-arresting action of HX in DO. PMA transiently arrested the spontaneous maturation of both CEO and DO, with greater potency in DO. The stimulatory action of PMA in HX-arrested oocytes was dependent on cumulus cells, because meiotic induction occurred in CEO but not DO. PKC activators also preferentially stimulated cumulus expansion when compared to antagonists. A cell-cell coupling assay determined that the action of PMA on oocyte maturation was not due to a loss of metabolic coupling between the oocyte and cumulus oophorus. Finally, Western analysis demonstrated the presence of PKCs alpha, beta1, delta, and eta in both cumulus cells and oocytes, but only PKC epsilon was detected in the cumulus cells. It is concluded that direct activation of PKC in the oocyte suppresses maturation, while stimulation within cumulus cells generates a positive trigger that leads to meiotic resumption.

Involvement of purines and phosphoinositides in spontaneous and progesterone-induced nuclear maturation of Bufo arenarum oocytes

Although progesterone is the established maturation inducer in amphibia, it has been demonstrated that Bufo arenarum oocytes resume meiosis with no need of an exogenous hormonal stimulus if deprived of their enveloping follicle cells, a phenomenon called "spontaneous maturation." The present studies were designed to evaluate the participation of purines and phosphoinositides in the spontaneous and progesterone-induced maturation in Bufo arenarum full-grown oocytes. The presented data demonstrate that high intracellular levels of purines such as cAMP or guanosine can inhibit both spontaneous and progesterone-induced maturation in full-grown denuded Bufo arenarum oocytes. Moreover, the fact that the mycophenolic acid was able to induce maturation in denuded oocytes obtained during the nonreproductive period in a manner similar to that of the progesterone and also to increase the percentages of spontaneous maturation suggests that in Bufo arenarum, inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibition is an important step in the resumption of meiosis. Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate hydrolysis by treatment of denuded oocytes with neomycin totally blocks spontaneous and progesterone-induced maturation, suggesting that the products of this hydrolysis (1,2 diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate) may be involved in the maturation process of Bufo. In addition, our results indicate that the activation of protein kinase C is also involved in both types of maturation.

Cloning and characterization of cDNA encoding cdc2 kinase, a component of maturation-promoting factor, in Rana dybowskii

In order to understand the mechanism of oocyte maturation in seasonal-breeding wild frogs, we have cloned and sequenced a cDNA encoding Cdc2 kinase, a component of the maturation-promoting factor (MPF) in Rana dybowskii. About 1.2-kb cDNA was isolated by reverse transcription coupled to polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cDNA library screening. The cloned Rana Cdc2 cDNA encodes a complete open-reading frame with 302 amino acid residues, which deduce a 34-kDa protein. Homology of more than 80% was found between the deduced amino acid sequence of Rana Cdc2 and that of five phylogenetically distant organisms, and 94% identity was found between Rana and Xenopus. More importantly, the Thr14, Tyr15, and Thr161 residues, the phosphorylation sites for the activation of the enzyme, are highly conserved. In vitro-translated Rana Cdc2 cross-reacted with Xenopus p34(cdc2) antibody as shown by Western blot. Northern blot analysis showed that a 1.7-kb transcript was highly expressed in the gonads compared to other tissues, indicating the important role of Cdc2 kinase in gonads as a component of MPF. The cloned Rana Cdc2 cDNA also exhibited histone H1 kinase activity when expressed in CV-1 cells. In the present study, therefore, we have characterized the Rana Cdc2 kinase in amphibian, which will be helpful in understanding the process of oocyte maturation related to the reproduction cycle of wild frogs.

Inhibition of S6 kinase by rapamycin blocks maturation of Rana dybowskii oocytes

Studies were carried out to define the hormone-induced signal transduction pathway during maturation of Rana dybowskii oocytes. Rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of S6 kinase, blocked progesterone-induced oocyte germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in a dose-dependent manner indicating that S6 kinase is required for meiotic maturation of Rana oocytes. Addition of rapamycin within 3 h, but not 6 h, of progesterone treatment inhibited GVBD. In contrast, cycloheximide, a general protein synthesis inhibitor, blocked GVBD even when added 9 h after progesterone addition. A twofold increase in S6 kinase activity occurred within 1 h of progesterone stimulation and rapamycin inhibited this activity. Rapamycin also suppressed, in a dose-dependent manner, progesterone-induced protein synthesis during the first 12 h of culture but less effectively later. Histone H1 kinase activity (maturation-promoting factor, MPF) was observed in oocyte extracts at two different times (between 6 and 9 h and at 24 h) following progesterone stimulation. Rapamycin blocked H1 kinase activity between 6 and 9 h of culture but not that observed at 24 h. In contrast, cycloheximide suppressed progesterone-induced H1 kinase activity as well as protein synthesis throughout the course of incubation. Such results indicate that rapamycin and cycloheximide have common and unique effects on oocyte maturation and suggest that progesterone-induced S6 kinase activity is closely associated with induction of protein synthesis and activation of MPF during oocyte maturation. Results in Rana contrast with those obtained in Xenopus where rapamycin inhibited S6 kinase but failed to inhibit GVBD or protein synthesis. Differences in the response of Rana and Xenopus oocytes to rapamycin are discussed in relation to seasonal, biochemical, and species variations.

Plasma membrane mediated action of progesterone in amphibian (Rana dybowskii) oocyte maturation

The mechanism of progesterone action within the ovarian follicle was investigated in Rana dybowskii, by using immobilized progesterone. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled progesterone 3-O-carboxymethyloxime-BSA (P-BSA) was localized on the outside surface of the denuded oocyte, which indicated that P-BSA did not cross the barrier of cell surface. Progesterone-BSA induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) of denuded oocytes in a dose-dependent manner but failed to induce GVBD of follicle wall-enclosed oocytes. The time course of P-BSA-induced GVBD in denuded oocytes was similar to that observed with progesterone. Furthermore, both P-BSA and progesterone induced oocyte maturation in the presence of RU486, a well-known nuclear progesterone receptor antagonist. Treatment of denuded oocytes with P-BSA resulted in a threefold increase in inositol triphosphate (IP3) and a fourfold increase in diacylglycerol levels within 10 min. Additionally protein kinase C (PKC) activity was markedly increased by 30 min of incubation following exposure to P-BSA. Such changes were not observed in denuded oocytes exposed to beta-estradiol-6-O-carboxymethyloxime-BSA, which failed to induce GVBD. These results suggest that progesterone acts initially at the oocyte surface where it triggers generation of membrane-mediated second messengers during oocyte maturation in amphibians.

Spontaneous maturation in Bufo arenarum oocytes: participation of protein kinase C

Although progesterone is the maturation inducer in amphibians, it has been demonstrated that in Bufo arenarum oocytes resumed meiosis with no need of exogenous hormonal stimulus if derived of their enveloping follicle cells. This phenomenon, called spontaneous maturation, is quite rare in amphibians. In B. arenarum, spontaneous maturation took place only in oocytes obtained during the reproductive period (spring-summer). During this period the oocytes also demonstrated a respiratory activity characteristic of mature oocytes. Interestingly, full-grown B. arenarum oocytes always responded to progesterone regardless of the season in which they were obtained and of their respiratory activity. The disposition of oocytes competent or not competent to mature spontaneously provides a useful system for the study of molecular mechanisms involved in the maturation process. The data presented here indicate that the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) induces germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in denuded oocytes unable to mature spontaneously (winter oocytes) and is involved in the in vitro spontaneous maturation of B. arenarum full-grown oocytes. The inhibition of PKC by 1-(5-isoquinolynyl-sulphonyl-2-methyl-piperazine (H-7) impeded spontaneous maturation in a dose-dependent manner, thus supporting the participation of the PKC pathway during this process. Interestingly phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced GVBD is inhibited by the incubation of the oocytes in dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP), indicating that both pathways, PKC and protein kinase A (PKA), are related at a certain point. However, spontaneous GVBD is less sensitive than PMA-induced GVBD to dbcAMP. This fact would support the suggestion that in spontaneous GVBD mechanisms different from activation of PKC are at work.

Protein kinase C modulators influence meiosis kinetics but not fertilizability of mouse oocytes

The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the successive steps of mouse oocyte meiotic process was investigated. We have used either OAG, an analog of diacylglycerol, or mezerein, a nonphorbol ester diterpene, less tumor promoting than phorbol esters, as PKC activators, and staurosporine as PKC inhibitor. Cumulus-free oocytes were cultured in minimum essential medium with each of these PKC modulators and maturation stages were screened every two hours until the end of the process. Both PKC activators prevented GVBD at each tested dose for 4 hr (OAG) and 8 hr (mezerein), and decreased the frequencies of PB oocytes. The inhibitory effects of both activators were dose dependent and reversible. The addition of OAG to the culture medium after GVBD occurrence (i.e., after 4 hrs) did not affect PB extrusion whereas similar addition of mezerein significantly decreased the frequency of PB oocytes. Inhibition of PKC by staurosporine accelerated GVBD and increased the frequency of PB extrusion. When staurosporine was added after GVBD, PB extrusion occurred earlier but PB oocyte frequency was not increased. Fertilizability was not affected when oocyte maturation occurred in the presence of any of these substances despite the delay in maturation process. These results clearly indicate that the PKC pathway is involved in mouse oocyte meiotic process: activation of the enzyme would arrest meiotic process whereas its inhibition would participate in meiosis induction.

Steroidogenesis in Fundulus heteroclitus. IV. Dichotomous effects of a phorbol ester on ovarian steroid production and oocyte maturation

The possible role of protein kinase C (PKC) activation in mediating the stimulatory actions of a Fundulus pituitary extract (FPE) on ovarian steroidogenesis and oocyte maturation was investigated. The phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), alone slightly increased basal 17 alpha-hydroxy,20 beta-dihydroprogesterone (DHP) and 17 beta-estradiol (E2) synthesis and significantly stimulated germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Addition of FPE promoted synthesis of DHP, testosterone (T), and E2, and initiated GVBD. Phorbol ester inhibited FPE-induced steroidogenesis but increased the number of oocytes that underwent GVBD. Phorbol ester also markedly impeded induction of steroidogenesis by dibutyryl cAMP and differentially affected the conversion of 25-hydroxycholesterol, pregnenolone, or progesterone to DHP, T, and E2: DHP production was not affected; T production diminished; and E2 synthesis increased (T aromatization also increased). These results suggest an inhibitory role for the PKC pathway on FPE-induced ovarian steroid production, with PMA appearing to affect various steroidogenic steps. The stimulatory action of PMA on oocyte maturation seems to be independent of follicular steroid production since aminoglutethimide, an inhibitor of steroidogenesis, did not block PMA-induced GVBD. Moreover, PMA had a marked stimulatory effect on GVBD in denuded oocytes. Thus, in contrast to the inhibitory role found for the PKC pathway on ovarian follicular steroidogenesis, activation of PKC in the oocyte may serve as a signal-transducing mechanism leading to GVBD.

Regulation of M-phase progression in Chaetopterus oocytes by protein kinase C

We have examined the presence of protein kinase C in oocytes of Chaetopterus pergamentaceus and its role in the initiation of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). First, we demonstrated that the oocytes contain a phospholipid- and calcium-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC). Since PKC is the primary intracellular receptor for phorbol esters, we tested the ability of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) to induce GVBD and compared several critical events and processes involved in GVBD induced by PDBu to those induced normally (by seawater). Seawater and 100-200 nM PDBu induced chromosome condensation, spindle formation, and spindle migration over a similar time course. Both treatments induced similar alterations in the SDS-PAGE pattern of newly synthesized proteins. The synthesis of polypeptides of approximately 46 and 54 kDa increased specifically. Both treatments increased oocyte protein phosphorylation, especially of proteins of 22, 32, 46, 55, 64, and 84 kDa. Both treatments resulted in the activation of an M-phase-specific histone H1 kinase activity, which demonstrates the appearance of maturation-promoting factor. Staurosporine, a potent protein kinase C inhibitor, blocked GVBD and the activation of M-phase-specific H1 kinase, whereas HA1004, which preferentially antagonizes protein kinase A, had no effect. The results of this study demonstrate that protein kinase C can activate a wide spectrum of essential biochemical and morphological processes involved in GVBD. Further, these studies suggest that protein kinase C elicits GVBD by activating maturation-promoting factor and support the hypothesis that protein kinase C plays an essential role in oocyte maturation in this species.