Changes in inositol lipid metabolism and protein kinase C translocation in nuclei of mitogen stimulated Swiss 3T3 cells

Abstract

The correlation between changes in nuclear polyphosphoinositide levels preceding PKC translocation to the nucleus and the onset of DNA synthesis has been discussed. Using two different clones of Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts belonging to the same original cell line, one of which is unresponsive to mitogenic stimulation with IGF-I on its own or in combination with bombesin, it has been observed that a rapid and transient breakdown of nuclear PIP and PIP 2 occurs only in responsive cells and this precedes the translocation of PKC to the nucleus, as evidenced by immunochemical analysis as well as by enzymatic activity. Therefore, it seems that a direct link exists between nuclear polyphosphoinositide metabolism, PKC translocation to the nucleus and cell division. Since IGF-I acts at the plasma membrane through a tyrosine kinase receptor it seems that the mitogenic stimulation induced by this factor utilizes different signalling pathways at the plasma membrane and at the nucleus. Because of the evidence that type I IGF receptor is expressed in both responsive and unresponsive cells and that the receptor machinery at the plasma membrane is active the lack of the transient changes in nuclear inositol lipids and of PKC translocation in unresponsive cells further suggests that the cell nucleus is capable of an autonomous signalling system based on polyphosphoinositide metabolism.