Identification of protein kinase C isoenzymes in smooth muscle: partial purification and characterization of chicken gizzard PKC zeta

Protein kinases in vascular smooth muscle tone--role in the pulmonary vasculature and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is an adaptive mechanism that in the normal animal diverts blood away from poorly ventilated areas of the lung, thereby maintaining optimal ventilation-perfusion matching. In global hypoxia however, such as in respiratory disease or at altitude, it causes detrimental increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary artery (PA) pressure. The precise intracellular pathways and mechanisms underlying HPV remain unclear, although it is now recognised that both an elevation in smooth muscle intracellular [Ca2+] and a concomitant increase in Ca2+ sensitivity are involved. Several key intracellular protein kinases have been proposed as components of the signal transduction pathways leading to development of HPV, specifically Rho kinase, non-receptor tyrosine kinases (NRTK), p38 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase, and protein kinase C (PKC). All of these have been implicated to a greater or lesser extent in pathways leading to Ca2+ sensitisation, and in some cases regulation of intracellular [Ca2+] as well. In this article, we review the role of these key protein kinases in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) constriction, applying what is known in the systemic circulation to the pulmonary circulation and HPV. We conclude that the strongest evidence for direct involvement of protein kinases in the mechanisms of HPV concerns a central role for Rho kinase in Ca2+ sensitisation, and a potential role for Src-family kinases in both modulation of Ca2+ entry via capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE) and activation of Rho kinase, though others are likely to have indirect or modulatory influences. In addition, we speculate that Src family kinases may provide a central interface between the proposed hypoxia-induced generation of reactive oxygen species by mitochondria and both the elevation in intracellular [Ca2+] and Rho kinase mediated Ca2+ sensitisation.

Identification of the linker histone H1 as a protein kinase Cepsilon-binding protein in vascular smooth muscle

A variety of anchoring proteins target specific protein kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes to particular subcellular locations or multimeric signaling complexes, thereby achieving a high degree of substrate specificity by localizing the kinase in proximity to specific substrates. PKCepsilon is widely expressed in smooth muscle tissues, but little is known about its targeting and substrate specificity. We have used a Far-Western (overlay) approach to identify PKCepsilon-binding proteins in vascular smooth muscle of the rat aorta. Proteins of approximately 32 and 34 kDa in the Triton-insoluble fraction were found to bind PKCepsilon in a phospholipid/diacylglycerol-dependent manner. Although of similar molecular weight to RACK-1, a known PKCepsilon-binding protein, these proteins were separated from RACK-1 by SDS-PAGE and differential NaCl extraction and were not recognized by an antibody to RACK-1. The PKCepsilon-binding proteins were further purified from the Triton-insoluble fraction and identified by de novo sequencing of selected tryptic peptides by tandem mass spectrometry as variants of the linker histone H1. Their identity was confirmed by Western blotting with anti-histone H1 and the demonstration that purified histone H1 binds PKCepsilon in the presence of phospholipid and diacylglycerol but absence of Ca(2+). The interaction of PKCepsilon with histone H1 was specific since no interaction was observed with histones H2A, H2S or H3S. Bound PKCepsilon phosphorylated histone H1 in a phospholipid/diacylglycerol-dependent but Ca(2+)-independent manner. Ca(2+)-dependent PKC was also shown to interact with histone H1 but not other histones. These results suggest that histone H1 is both an anchoring protein and a substrate for activated PKCepsilon and other PKC isoenzymes and likely serves to localize activated PKCs that translocate to the nucleus in the vicinity of specific nuclear substrates including histone H1 itself. Since PKC isoenzymes have been implicated in regulation of gene expression, stable interaction with histone H1 may be an important step in this process.

PKC activates BKCa channels in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle via cGMP-dependent protein kinase

Normally, signaling mechanisms that activate large-conductance, calcium- and voltage-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channels in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cause pulmonary vasodilatation. BK(Ca)-channel modulation is important in the regulation of pulmonary arterial pressure, and inhibition (decrease in the opening probability) of the BK(Ca) channel has been implicated in the development of pulmonary vasoconstriction. Protein kinase C (PKC) causes pulmonary vasoconstriction, but little is known about the effect of PKC on BK(Ca)-channel activity in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle. Accordingly, studies were done to determine the effect of PKC on BK(Ca)-channel activity using patch-clamp studies in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) of the Sprague-Dawley rat. The PKC activators phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and thymeleatoxin opened BK(Ca) channels in single Sprague-Dawley rat PASMC. The activator response to both PMA and thymeleatoxin on BK(Ca)-channel activity was blocked by Gö-6983, which selectively blocks PKC-alpha, -delta, -gamma, and -zeta, and by rottlerin, which selectively inhibits PKC-delta. In addition, the specific cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase antagonist KT-5823 blocked the responses to PMA and thymelatoxin, whereas the specific cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase blocker KT-5720 had no effect. In isolated pulmonary arterial vessels, both PMA and forskolin caused vasodilatation, which was inhibited by KT-5823, Gö-6983, or the BK(Ca)-channel blocker tetraethylammonium. The results of this study indicate that activation of specific PKC isozymes increases BK(Ca)-channel activity in Sprague-Dawley rat PASMC via cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase, which suggests a unique signaling mechanism for vasodilatation.

Protein kinase C inhibits BKCa channel activity in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle

Signaling mechanisms that elevate cyclic AMP (cAMP) activate large-conductance, calcium- and voltage-activated potassium (BKCa) channels in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle and cause pulmonary vasodilatation. BKCa channel modulation is important in the regulation of pulmonary arterial pressure, and inhibition (closing) of the BKCa channel has been implicated in the development of pulmonary vasoconstriction. Protein kinase C (PKC) causes pulmonary vasoconstriction, but little is known about the effect of PKC on BKCa channel activity. Accordingly, studies were done to determine the effect of PKC activation on cAMP-induced BKCa channel activity using patch-clamp studies in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC) of the fawn-hooded rat (FHR), a recognized animal model of pulmonary hypertension. Forskolin (10 microM), a stimulator of adenylate cyclase and an activator of cAMP, opened BKCa channels in single FHR PASMC, which were blocked by the PKC activators phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (100 nM) and thymeleatoxin (100 nM). The inhibitory response by thymeleatoxin on forskolin-induced BKCa channel activity was blocked by Gö-6983, which selectively blocks the alpha, beta, delta, gamma, and zeta PKC isozymes, and Gö-6976, which selectively inhibits PKC-alpha, PKC-beta, and PKC-mu, but not by rottlerin, which selectively inhibits PKC-delta. Collectively, these results indicate that activation of specific PKC isozymes inhibits cAMP-induced activation of the BKCa channel in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle, which suggests a unique signaling pathway to modulate BKCa channels and subsequently cAMP-induced pulmonary vasodilatation.

Mechanism of action of angiotensin II in human isolated subcutaneous resistance arteries

1. Human isolated subcutaneous arteries were mounted in a myograph and isometric tension measured. In some experiments, intracellular calcium [Ca(2+)]i was also measured using fura-2. 2. Angiotensin II (100 pM - 1 microM) increased [Ca(2+)]i and tone in a concentration-dependent manner. The effects of angiotensin II (100 nM) were inhibited by an AT1-receptor antagonist, candesartan (100 pM). 3. Ryanodine (10 microM), had no effect on angiotensin II-induced responses, but removal of extracellular Ca(2+) abolished angiotensin II-induced rise in [Ca(2+)]i and tone. Inhibition of Ca(2+) entry by Ni(2+) (2 mM), also inhibited angiotensin II responses. The dihydropyridine, L-type calcium channel antagonist, amlodipine (10 microM), only partially attenuated angiotensin II responses. 4. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) by chelerythrine (1 microM), or by overnight exposure to a phorbol ester (PDBu; 500 nM) had no effect on angiotensin II-induced contraction. 5. Genistein (10 microM), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibited angiotensin II-induced contraction, but did not inhibit the rise in [Ca(2+)]i, suggesting that at this concentration it affected the calcium sensitivity of the contractile apparatus. Genistein did not affect responses to norepinephrine (NE) or high potassium (KPSS). 6. A selective MEK inhibitor, PD98059 (30 microM), inhibited both the angiotensin II-induced contraction and rise in [Ca(2+)]i, but had no effect on responses to NE or KPSS. 7. AT1 activation causes Ca(2+) influx via L-type calcium channels and a dihydropyridine-insensitive route, but does not release Ca(2+) from intracellular sites. Activation of tyrosine kinase(s) and the ERK 1/2 pathway, but not classical or novel PKC, also play a role in angiotensin II-induced contraction in human subcutaneous resistance arteries.

Transmural differences in rat ventricular protein kinase C epsilon correlate with its functional regulation of a transient cardiac K+ current

The effects of PKC activation on a transient (It) and a sustained (Iss) cardiac K+ current and the subcellular distribution of the epsilon isoform of PKC (PKC(epsilon)) were compared in epicardial and endocardial regions of the rat ventricle. Activation of PKC(epsilon) with a diacylglycerol analogue (di-octanoyl-glycerol (DiC8), 20 (mu)M) leads to differential effects in epicardial and endocardial cells. In epicardial cells (n = 20) It and Iss are attenuated by 17.7 +/- 2.1 % and 11.9 +/- 3.1 %, respectively (means +/- S.E.M.). In endocardial cells It attenuation was significantly smaller (4.6 +/- 1.6 %, n = 14, P < 0.0005). Iss attenuation was similar to that in epicardial cells (10.5 +/- 3.8 %). PKC[epsilon] expression was measured by Western blotting. Calculated endocardial/epicardial ratios showed no regional differences in total protein extracts (1.04 +/- 0.11, mean +/- S.E.M, n = 4), but PKC[epsilon] distribution in the cytosolic fraction showed a marked difference, with significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels in endocardial extracts. The cytosolic endocardial/epicardial PKC[epsilon] ratio was 2.64 +/- 0.24 (n = 4), indicating a reduced amount of PKC[epsilon] in the membrane fraction of the endocardium. This could account for the reduced effect of DiC8 on It in endocardial myocytes. Under both hypothyroid and streptozotocin-induced diabetic conditions the difference in endocardial and epicardial cytosolic PKC[epsilon] levels was absent (ratios of 0.86 +/- 0.21 (n = 4) and 1.09 +/- 0.16 (n = 3), respectively; means +/- S.E.M.). Ratios in the total protein extracts were not significantly different from those in control conditions. The results show transmural differences in the functional effects of PKC(epsilon) activation on a cardiac K+ current, and in the subcellular distribution of PKC(epsilon). These differences are absent in diabetic and hypothyroid conditions.

Regulation of hyaluronan-stimulated VCAM-1 expression in murine renal tubular epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

Cytokines stimulate the expression of the adhesion molecule VCAM-1 in renal tubular epithelial cells. We have recently shown that VCAM-1 can also be upregulated by low molecular weight breakdown products of the matrix constituent hyaluronan (HA) (J Immunol 1998; 161: 3431-3437). The mechanisms of VCAM-I expression in response to HA remain to be defined.

METHODS

Using a defined mouse cortical tubular (MCT) cell line we investigated the effect of protein kinase C (PKC) and tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibition on the HA-stimulated VCAM-1 expression by cell ELISA and RT PCR or Northern blotting. Furthermore, we examined the effect of PKC and TK inhibition on NF-kappaB.

RESULTS

We found that the PKC inhibitor GF109203X (acting on conventional, novel and atypical isoforms) inhibited the HA-stimulated VCAM-1 expression in MCT cells dose-dependently up to 90%, whereas chelerythrine (acting on conventional and novel isoforms) had no effect. Downregulation of PKC with PMA did not prevent the HA-stimulated VCAM-1 expression, suggesting that Ca2+- and diacylglycerol-independent (atypical) isoforms of PKC are involved. The TK inhibitor genistein also inhibited the HA-stimulated VCAM-1 expression at the mRNA and protein level up to 70%. Interestingly, the HA-stimulated nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB could not be prevented with GF109203X and genistein.

CONCLUSION

These data demonstrate that the HA-stimulated VCAM-1 expression in MCT cells involves PKC and TK pathways. The absence of an effect of PKC and TK inhibitors on the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB suggests that additional transcription factors are involved for VCAM-1 expression.

PKC-dependent signalling mechanisms in differentiated smooth muscle

Protein kinase C (PKC) is now known to play an important physiological role in essentially all cell types. This review will focus on what is known about the kinase in contractile differentiated smooth muscle. Current knowledge on the molecular structure of PKC isoforms will be discussed as they relate to mechanisms of translocation and targeting of the kinase within smooth muscle cells. Studies performed on PKC-dependent signalling pathways in differentiated smooth muscle cells will be discussed with emphasis on studies form our laboratory, especially discussing thin filament linked pathways. Thick filament linked PKC-dependent pathways will be described in more detail elsewhere in this monograph.

Delayed rectifier K+ current of dog bronchial myocytes: effect of pollen sensitization and PKC activation

The properties of delayed rectifier K+ current [IK(dr)] of canine airway smooth muscle cells isolated from small bronchi and its modulation by protein kinase C (PKC) were studied by whole cell patch clamp. IK(dr) activated positive to -40 mV, with half-maximal activation at -16 +/- 1.2 mV (n = 15) and average current density of 31 +/- 2.6 pA/pF (n = 15) at +30 mV. The capacitive surface area, current density, and voltage dependence of activation of IK(dr) of myocytes of ragweed pollen-sensitized dogs were not different from age-matched control dogs. However, the sensitization reduced the availability of IK(dr) between -40 and -20 mV due to a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation (-29.9 +/- 1.2 in sensitized versus -26.0 +/- 0.7 mV in control dogs, n = 9 and 11, respectively; P < 0.05). PKC activation with diacylglycerol analog or phorbol ester depressed IK(dr) amplitude, whereas an inactive diacylglycerol analog had no effect. The hyperpolarizing shift in voltage dependence of inactivation and/or modulation of IK(dr) by PKC may be two mechanisms that contribute to the enhanced reactivity of bronchial tissues from ragweed pollen-sensitized dogs.

Effect of phorbol esters on Ca2+ sensitivity and myosin light-chain phosphorylation in airway smooth muscle

We studied in beta-escin-permeabilized canine tracheal smooth muscle (CTSM) the effect of the protein kinase C (PKC) agonist phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) on isometric force at a constant submaximal Ca2+ concentration (i.e., the effect on Ca2+ sensitivity) and regulatory myosin light-chain (rMLC) phosphorylation. PDBu increased Ca2+ sensitivity, an increase associated with a concentration-dependent, sustained increase in rMLC phosphorylation. PDBu altered the relationship between rMLC phosphorylation and isometric force such that the increase in isometric force was less than that expected for the increase in rMLC phosphorylation observed. The effect of four PKC inhibitors [calphostin C, chelerythrine chloride, a pseudosubstrate inhibitor for PKC, PKC peptide-(19-31) (PSSI), and staurosporine] on PDBu-induced Ca2+ sensitization as well as the effect of calphostin C and PSSI on rMLC phosphorylation were determined. Whereas none of these compounds prevented or reversed the PDBu-induced increase in Ca2+ sensitivity, the PDBu-induced increase in rMLC phosphorylation was inhibited. We conclude that PDBu increases rMLC phosphorylation by activation of PKC but that the associated PDBu-induced increases in Ca2+ sensitivity are mediated by mechanisms other than activation of PKC in permeabilized airway smooth muscle.

Possible role of atypical protein kinase C activated by arachidonic acid in Ca2+ sensitization of rabbit smooth muscle

1. Diacylglycerol (DAG; 10 microM), an activator of conventional and novel protein kinases C (cPKCs and nPKCs), induced Ca2+ sensitization of force in isolated intact and alpha-toxin-permeabilized femoral artery (FA) and portal vein (PV), and increased the phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC20) at the same peptides phosphorylated by myosin light chain kinase. 2. Ca2+ sensitization by DAG was specifically inhibited by a pseudosubstrate peptide inhibitor of cPKCs (PKC alpha(22-30) peptide; 50 microM). Similarly, GF 109203X (600 nM), an inhibitor of cPKCs and nPKCs, completely abolished Ca2+ sensitization by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu; 1 microM). In contrast, Ca2+ sensitization induced by the alpha1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (100 microM) was not inhibited by these inhibitors of cPKCs and nPKCs. 3. A pseudosubstrate peptide inhibitor of the atypical PKCs (aPKCs) PKC zeta(116-124) (50 microM) significantly (about 50%) inhibited the Ca2+ sensitization of force and MLC20 phosphorylation induced by 100 microM phenylephrine and by 300 microM arachidonic acid, but not that by DAG (10 microM) or PDBu (1 microM). 4. A phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, ONO-RS-082 (10 microM), abolished the release of arachidonic acid and partially (by 40%) inhibited the Ca2+ sensitization induced by phenylephrine in FA smooth muscle. This effect was not additive to the inhibition observed with the aPKC inhibitor peptide, suggesting that arachidonic acid and aPKCs exert their effects via the same pathway, probably through activation of aPKC(s) by arachidonic acid. 5. Western blot analysis with antibodies to aPKCs revealed aPKCs zeta, lambda (or iota) and an unidentified 64 kDa protein. The distribution (cytosolic and particulate) of these proteins was not affected by PDBu (1 microM). 6. Our results are consistent with a significant role for atypical (or related) PKCs through a PLA2-arachidonic acid-aPKC pathway in agonist-induced Ca2+ sensitization, in parallel with a similar, but minor role of the DAG-cPKC cascade. The inability of the combination of the two (aPKC and cPKC) inhibitors to completely eliminate Ca2+ sensitization also suggests the presence of a third, still unidentified, pathway of this mechanism.

Angiotensin II activation of protein kinase C decreases delayed rectifier K+ current in rabbit vascular myocytes

1. The effect of angiotension II (Ang) on delayed rectifier K+ current (IK(V)) was studied in isolated rabbit portal vein smooth muscle cells using standard whole-cell voltage clamp technique. The effect of 100 nM Ang on macroscopic, whole-cell IK(V) was assessed in myocytes dialysed with 10 mM BAPTA, 5 mM ATP and 1 mM GTP either at room temperature or at 30 degrees C. 2. Application of Ang caused a decline in IK(V) which was reversed upon washout of the drug. Tail current recorded after 250 ms pulses to +30 mV and repolarization to -40 mV was reduced from 3.9 +/- 0.7 to 2.5 +/- 0.5 pA pF-1 at 20 degrees C (n = 6) and from 4.5 +/- 0.5 to 3.13 +/- 0.4 pA pF-1 at 30 degrees C(n = 17). 3. Ang had no effect on outward current in the presence of an AT1 selective antagonist, losartan (1 microM), which alone had no direct effect on the amplitude of IK(V). Substitution of extracellular Ca2+ with Mg2+ in the presence of 10 microM intracellular BAPTA did not affect the suppression of IK(V) by Ang. 4. Ang induced a decrease in time constant for the rapid phase of inactivation of the macroscopic current (tau 1 reduced from 377 +/- 32 to 245 +/- 11 ms; tau 2 unchanged, n = 17). Neither the voltage dependence of activation nor inactivation were affected by Ang. 5. The inhibition of IK(V) by Ang was abolished by intracellular dialysis with the selective PKC inhibitors, calphostin C (1 microM) and chelerythrine (50 microM). These data provide strong evidence that the decline in IK(V) due to Ang treatment is due to PKC activation. 6. The pattern of expression of PKC isoforms was examined in rabbit portal vein using isoenzyme-specific antibodies: alpha, epsilon and zeta isoenzymes were detected, but beta, gamma, delta and eta isoenzymes were not. 7. The lack of requirement for Ca2+, as well as the sensitivity of the Ang response to chelerythrine, suggest the involvement of the Ca(2+)-independent PKC isoenzyme epsilon in the signal transduction pathway responsible for IK(V) inhibition by Ang.

Regulation of 4-aminopyridine-sensitive, delayed rectifier K+ channels in vascular smooth muscle by phosphorylation

Voltage-gated, delayed rectifier K+ current (KV) that is sensitive to 4-aminopyridine (4AP) block has been identified in all vascular smooth muscle tissues studied to date. These channels conduct outward, hyperpolarizing K+ current that influences resting membrane potential and contributes to repolarization of action potentials. Smooth muscle cells in most arterial resistance vessels regulate Ca2+ influx and contractile tone by low amplitude, tonic changes in membrane potential. Block of KV with 4-aminopyridine leads to contraction and an enhanced myogenic response to increased intravascular pressure. We investigated the modulation of KV currents in isolated, freshly dispersed smooth muscle cells from rabbit portal vein and coronary arteries in whole-cell voltage clamp experiments. Our findings indicate that KV channels are regulated by signal transduction mechanisms involving vasoactive agonists that activate cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) or protein kinase C (PKC). In this paper, the properties and potential function of KV channels in vascular smooth muscle are reviewed. Further, the regulation and potential role of alterations in KV due to beta-adrenoceptor agonists, adenylyl cyclase and PKA, as well as angiotensin II, diacylglycerol, and PKC are discussed.