Abstract

We have previously shown that the steroid hormone 1, 25-dihydroxy-vitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] stimulates total cell protein kinase C (PKC) activity in rat duodenum, an effect that is severely impaired in old animals. We further examined the role of 1, 25(OH)(2)D(3) on PKC as it relates to aging by measuring hormone-induced changes in subcellular localization of PKC activity and isoenzymes in duodenal mucosae from young (three-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) rats. Short treatment of duodenum with 1, 25(OH)(2)D(3) (0.1 nM, 1 min) increased membrane-associated PKC activity, whereas it decreased the activity in the cytosol of young rats but was without significant effect in aged animals. Furthermore, the ability to translocate was present in young animals after a short treatment with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA; 100 nM) or dioctanoyl-glycerol (50 microM), whereas the ability was absent in aged rats, suggesting that PKC function was impaired with aging independent of agonist stimulation. The expression of specific PKC isoenzymes and changes in their subcellular distribution after short exposure of the duodenum to the hormone were determined. Western blot analysis of total homogenates using antibodies to various PKC isoforms allowed detection of PKC alpha, beta, and delta. The expression of the straight theta and the zeta isoforms was in addition demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The pattern of isoenzymes present in the duodenum was unaffected by aging. In young rats, 1, 25(OH)(2)D(3) translocates PKC alpha, beta, and delta to the membrane and nucleus; however, no translocation of PKC isoforms was observed in 24-month-old animals in response to the hormone. In summary, in rat duodenum, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) modulation of PKC activity and isoenzyme subcellular distribution are impaired with aging and may explain age-induced alterations in the intestinal processes under the control of the hormone.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.