Protein kinase Cμ mediates adenosine-stimulated steroidogenesis in primary rat adrenal cells

Abstract

Adenosine (Ado), an endogenous nucleoside, can stimulate corticosterone synthesis in adrenal cells via the A 2A/A 2B adenosine receptors (ARs). This study evaluated the contribution of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in Ado-induced steroidogenesis. The PKC inhibitor calphostin c blocked Ado-induced steroidogenesis, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-related regulated kinase (ERK)-cyclic AMP responsive element-binding protein cascade, and the mRNA expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and CYP11B1. Further analyses revealed that PKCμ was indeed activated by Ado. Moreover, downregulation of PKCμ by small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited Ado-stimulated steroidogenesis and ERK phosphorylation. Finally, inhibition of either A 2AAR or A 2BAR led to the suppression of PKCμ phosphorylation. Together, these findings suggest that A 2AR-PKCμ-MEK signaling mediates Ado-stimulated adrenal steroidogenesis.