PKC-independent Pathway Research Articles

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 and its mode of activation in human neutrophils by opsonized zymosan. Correlation between 42/44 kDa mitogen-activated protein kinase, cytosolic phospholipase A2 and NADPH oxidase.

The role of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and its mode of activation by opsonized zymosan (OZ) was studied in human neutrophils in comparison with activation by PMA. The activation of cPLA2 by 1 mg/ml OZ or 50 ng/ml PMA is evidenced by its translocation to the membrane fractions on stimulation. This translocation is consistent with dithiothreitol (DTT)-resistant phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity detected in the membranes of activated cells. Neutrophils stimulated by either OZ or PMA exhibited an immediate stimulation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERKs). The inhibition of ERKs, DTT-resistant PLA2 and NADPH oxidase activities by the MAP kinase kinase inhibitor PD-98059 indicates that ERKs mediate the activation of cPLA2 and NADPH oxidase stimulated by either OZ or PMA. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GF-109203X inhibited epidermal growth factor receptor peptide kinase activity, the release of [3H]arachidonic acid, DTT-resistant PLA2 activity and superoxide generation induced by PMA, but did not inhibit any of these activities induced by OZ. PKC activity was similarly inhibited by GF-109203X in membrane fractions separated from neutrophils stimulated by either PMA or OZ. In the presence of the tyrosine kinase inhibit orgenistein, ERKs, PLA2 and NADPH oxidase activities were inhibited in cells stimulated by OZ, whereas they were hardly affected in cells stimulated by PMA. The results suggest that the activation of cPLA2 by PMA or OZ is mediated by ERKs. Whereas PMA stimulates ERKs activity through a PKC-dependent pathway, signal transduction stimulated by OZ involves tyrosine kinase activity leading to activation of ERKs via a PKC-independent pathway.

Tyrosine kinase-dependent regulation of L-selectin expression through the Leu-13 signal transduction molecule: evidence for a protein kinase C-independent mechanism of L-selectin shedding.

The L-selectin adhesion molecule mediates lymphocyte extravasation in peripheral lymph nodes, and has also been implicated in directing leukocyte recruitment to inflammatory tissues and metastasis of lymphoid malignancies. In this study, we demonstrate a novel level of regulation of L-selectin expression that involves the 16-kDa Leu-13 signal transduction molecule. Leu-13 is a member of a multimeric cell surface complex in lymphocytes that includes TAPA-1 (target of antiproliferative Ab-1, CD81) as well as lineage-specific proteins. In the present study, mAb-induced ligation of Leu-13 was shown to rapidly down-regulate L-selectin surface density on normal and malignant human lymphocytes, and to markedly inhibit L-selectin-mediated adhesion of lymphocytes to soluble carbohydrate ligands (i.e., PPME, phosphomonoester core polysaccharide) and to lymph node high endothelial venules. Through the use of genistein and staurosporine, potent inhibitors of tyrosine kinases (TK) and protein kinase C (PKC), respectively, Leu-13-induced L-selectin down-modulation was demonstrated to involve a TK-dependent, PKC-independent pathway, and was attributed to increased L-selectin shedding from surface membranes. Notably, direct L-selectin ligation, modeling cross-linking interactions with endothelial cell ligands, similarly down-regulates L-selectin surface expression through a TK-dependent, PKC-independent mechanism. In sharp contrast, PMA and anti-CD3 mAb down-regulate L-selectin via a staurosporine-sensitive, genistein-resistant pathway that is closely linked to lymphocyte proliferation. Taken together, these results demonstrate a novel role for Leu-13- and L-selectin-induced TK activity in control of L-selectin expression, thus providing insight into the complex molecular mechanisms that potentially regulate L-selectin-dependent lymphocyte homing in vivo.

Bombesin and neuromedin B stimulate the activation of p42(mapk) and p74(raf-1) via a protein kinase C-independent pathway in Rat-1 cells.

The mechanisms by which seven transmembrane receptors activate p42-(mapk)/p44(mapk) are not well defined although p21ras- and protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathways have been implicated, typically for Gi- and Gq-coupled receptors, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that in Rat-1 cells transfected with the Gq-coupled bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide receptor, bombesin stimulated activation of p42(mapk) that was not inhibited by the specific PKC inhibitor GF 109203X or by down regulation of phorbol ester-sensitive PKC isoforms. In addition, bombesin rapidly stimulated p74(raf-1) activity that was also independent of PKC activity and insensitive to inhibition by pertussis toxin. Furthermore, addition of neuromedin B to Rat-1 cells transfected with the neuromedin B preferring receptor also activated p42(mapk) and p74(raf-1) in a PKC-independent and pertussis toxin-insensitive manner. Finally we show that addition of bombesin to Rat-1 cells stimulated the GTP loading of p21ras. Our results reveal a novel PKC-independent pathway in the action of Gq-coupled receptors and stress the importance of cell context in defining the signal transduction pathway(s) that link specific receptors to the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade.

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes by both a calcium- and a protein kinase C—dependent pathway

In the present study, we investigated the role of calcium and protein kinase C (PKC) in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in isolated rat hepatocytes. We found that the glycogenolytic hormone norepinephrine (NE), acting through the α 1-adrenergic receptor and the G protein Gq, was able to induce a dose- and time-dependent activation of MAPK in hepatocytes. Vasopressin, which acts through a different receptor but also through stimulation of the Gq-dependent pathway, also caused a twofold activation of MAPK. Activation of MAPK by both agonists required the presence of free extracellular calcium and was blocked by the specific PKC inhibitor, Ro 31-8220. MAPK activation was also induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), confirming that a PKC-dependent pathway exists for MAPK activation in liver. Furthermore, calcium-mobilizing agents such as thapsigargin and ionomycin were able to induce an activation of MAPK by a PKC-independent pathway that was totally abolished by preincubation of cells with EGTA. A second pathway for MAPK activation that relies solely on calcium may therefore exist. Ro 31-8220 did not affect phosphorylase activation by NE, vasopressin, thapsigargin, and ionomycin, indicating that PKC inhibition did not interfere with the signaling pathway leading to inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP 3)-induced calcium mobilization or with changes in calcium fluxes. The role of MAPK activation by NE and vasopressin in the regulation of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism is discussed.

Endothelin-1 activates c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase in mesangial cells

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is known to induce the contraction and proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells. ET-1 has been shown to activate p42 and p44 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), also known as extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERKs), through both protein kinase C (PKC) and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)-dependent pathways. However, an involvement of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), one of members of the MAPK family, in ET-1 signaling in mesangial cells has not yet been elucidated. To clarify this point, we examined whether ET-1 could activate JNK and the mechanism of activation in cultured mesangial cells. ET-1 enhanced the activities of JNK in a dose-dependent (10(-8) M maximum) and time-dependent manner, with a peak at 15 minutes. ET-1-induced activation of JNK was blocked by BQ-123, an antagonist for the ETA receptor. The depletion of PKC by prolonged treatment with phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate or the inhibition of PKC by GF 109203X failed to inhibit ET-1-induced activation of JNK. In contrast, ET-1-induced activation of JNK was significantly reduced by calcium chelation (with BAPTA/AM and EGTA). In addition, ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, and thapsigargin, an intracellular calcium-rising agent, were able to induce the activation of JNK. ET-1-induced activation of JNK was also inhibited by PTK inhibitors (herbimycin A and genistein). Furthermore, ET-1 increased the DNA-binding activity of AP-1 containing c-Jun and c-Fos proteins. These results indicate that ET-1 is able to activate JNK in glomerular mesangial cells through PKC-independent and PTK-dependent pathways and intracellular calcium is necessary to the activation of JNK.

Synergistic effects of transforming growth factor-β on the expression of c-fms, macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor gene, in vascular smooth muscle cells

Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) transform to foam cells in the process of atherosclerosis. We have reported that SMC derived from the intima of atherosclerotic lesions express c-fms, macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor gene, which is not normally expressed in medial SMC. In the present study, we demonstrated that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) synergistically induced expression of c-fms in the presence of platelet-derived growth factor-BB in human medial SMC, a level comparable to that observed in the intima. The induction of c-fms was not inhibited by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, suggesting that TGF-β induces c-fms via a PKC-independent pathway. These results suggest that TGF-β plays an important role in the phenotypic change of smooth muscle cells to macrophage-like cells in the process of atherosclerosis.

Down-regulation or long-term inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) reduces noradrenaline release evoked via either PKC-dependent or PKC-independent pathways in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

Long-term (8–48 h) treatment of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells with phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu; 100 nM) promotes the down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) subtypes α and ϵ and reduces by up to 60% noradrenaline (NA) release evoked via both PKC-dependent (M 3-muscarinic receptor activation) and PKC-independent (depolarization) pathways, over similar time courses. A similar effect on release is observed following long-term (16–48 h) incubation with the PKC inhibitor Ro 31-7549 (10 μM), even after removal of the inhibitor, indicating a mechanism which is not rapidly reversible. Evidence is presented which suggests that long-term treatment with PDBu does not (1) affect calcium entry, (2) modulate levels of proteins important in the secretory mechanism or (3) reduce the number of secretory vesicles. Thus, the decrease in NA release in SH-SY5Y cells following down-regulation of PKC appears to be the result of a sustained reduction in PKC activity acting on a component of the secretory pathway not involved in the regulation of calcium entry or vesicle number.

Influence of Superoxide Radical and Hydrogen Peroxide on Arachidonic Acid Mobilization

Murine resident peritoneal macrophages can produce potent reactive oxygen species (ROS) and arachidonic acid metabolites such as eicosanoids, which have important roles in host defense and the pathogenesis of inflammation. Phagocytosis and macrophage activation are believed to enhance secretion of ROS and eicosanoids. Therefore, we investigated the influence of ROS release on arachidonate mobilization. Our results shown that ROS could be involved in the pathways that result in [3H]AA release. We suggested that phosphorylation and dephosphorylation processes stimulated by ROS could increase arachidonic acid mobilization via a PKC-independent pathway.

Isolation and characterization of murine fra-1: induction mediated by CD40 and surface Ig is protein kinase C dependent.

The murine fra-1 gene, encoding Fos-related Ag 1, was isolated from a splenic cDNA library and sequenced. Murine fra-1 was highly homologous to rat and human fra-1. Oligonucleotide primers based on the murine sequence were used to construct a quantitative reverse transcription-PCR assay for gene expression. B lymphocyte stimulation via both CD40 and surface Ig (sIg) receptors substantially induced fra-1 expression, and for both receptors, induction was protein kinase C (PKC) dependent. This contrasts with induction of c-fos by both CD40 and sIg, which is PKC independent and indicates that CD40 is capable of signaling through PKC or a closely related kinase. Induction of fra-1 following engagement of CD40 did not require protein synthesis, suggesting that the PKC-dependent linkage between CD40 and fra-1 is direct. CD40-mediated fra-1 induction did require tyrosine kinase activity. These results demonstrate that CD40, like sIg, may employ PKC in producing select outcomes, that individual B cell receptors may signal downstream events via both PKC-dependent and PKC-independent pathways, and that multiple signal transduction pathways may be used to activate the expression of closely related genes.

Calcium-dependent immediate-early gene induction in lymphocytes is negatively regulated by p21Ha-ras.

The induction of immediate-early (IE) response genes, such as egr-1, c-fos, and c-jun, occurs rapidly after the activation of T lymphocytes. The process of activation involves calcium mobilization, activation of protein kinase C (PKC), and phosphorylation of tyrosine kinases. p21(ras), a guanine nucleotide binding factor, mediates T-cell signal transduction through PKC-dependent and PKC-independent pathways. The involvement of p21(ras) in the regulation of calcium-dependent signals has been suggested through analysis of its role in the activation of NF-AT. We have investigated the inductions of the IE genes in response to calcium signals in Jurkat cells (in the presence of activated p21(ras)) and their correlated consequences. The expression of activated p21(ras) negatively regulated the induction of IE genes by calcium ionophore. This inhibition of calcium-activated IE gene induction was reversed by treatment with cyclosporin A, suggesting the involvement of calcineurin in this regulation. A later result of inhibition of this activation pathway by p21(ras) was down-regulation of the activity of the transcription factor AP-1 and subsequent coordinate reductions in IL-2 gene expression and protein production. These results suggest that p2l(ras) is an essential mediator in generating not only positive but also negative modulatory mechanisms controlling the competence of T cells in response to inductive stimulations.

Activation of an 85 kDa ribosomal S6 kinase during serotonin-induced oocyte maturation.

Oocytes from the Japanese clam Ruditapes philippinarum are naturally blocked at the prophase-I stage of meiosis. Following physiological activation by the neurohormone serotonin (5HT), oocytes undergo germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and reach a second cell cycle arrest in metaphase-I. To identify the kinases activated during meiosis reinitiation, we used a phosphorylation assay following sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in situ renaturation. A soluble 85-kDa serine/threonine kinase (PK85) was highly and consistently activated (up to 17-fold) within 5 minutes following addition of the hormone. This activation occurred 5 to 10 minutes before GVBD and only when 5HT concentration was sufficient to induce meiosis reinitiation. The calcium ionophore A23187 and NH4Cl, two compounds known to induce GVBD by increasing intracellular calcium concentration, also activate PK85. In crude oocyte extracts, the presence of beta-glycerophosphate, NaF, okadaic acid, calyculin A or microcystin, prevented inactivation of PK85, suggesting that it is activated by phosphorylation. Partial purification of PK85 followed by Western blotting showed that this kinase is related to the ribosomal S6 kinase pp90rsk. PK85 phosphorylates the peptides LRRASLG (kemptide) and PLARTLSVAGLPGGK (syntide-2), and to a lesser extent the synthetic polyamino acids poly(R3:S1) while myelin basic protein (MBP), histone III-S, casein, the peptides pEKRPSQRSKYL ((pGlu4)-MBP 4-14), GTFRASIRRLAARRR (NIMA kinase substrate), the protein kinase C (PKC) substrate LRTLRR and the synthetic polyaminoacids poly(R1:P1:T1) were poor substrates. 5HT-induced GVBD and PK85 activation are both inhibited by the phorbol ester 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and this inhibition can be reversed by 5 microM of the bisindolyl-maleimide GF109203X, a potent PKC inhibitor. PMA inhibitory action appears to take place between 5HT binding to its receptor and the intracellular calcium surge since it has no effect on GVBD induced by calcium ionophore A23187 and thapsigargin. Taken together, these results suggest that serotonin-induced activation of PK85 occurs after the intracellular calcium surge in a PKC-independent pathway.

Involvement of protein phosphatase 2A in PKC-independent pathway of neutrophil superoxide generation by fMLP

We examined the effects of okadaic acid, a protein phosphatase 1 and 2A inhibitor, on superoxide generation in human neutrophils. Superoxide generation induced by fMLP was inhibited by low-dose okadaic acid (10-100 nM), but it had no effect on superoxide synthesis by PMA, and the fMLP-induced rise of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration was not affected by low-dose okadaic acid. These findings suggested that the inhibitory mechanism of okadaic acid might involve PKC-independent and Ca(2+)-independent pathways in fMLP induced NADPH oxidase activation. Both fMLP-stimulated phosphorylation of serine residues in p47phox and its translocation to the plasma membrane were suppressed by low-dose okadaic acid. On the other hand, PMA-induced phosphorylation and translocation of p47phox were not affected by such a low dose of okadaic acid. These findings suggested that fMLP induced phosphorylation of serine residues in p47phox was regulated by protein phosphatase 2A, and its phosphorylation was necessary for translocation and superoxide generation in fMLP-activated human neutrophils.

Arachidonic acid-induced hormone release in somatotropes: involvement of calcium.

Arachidonic acid (AA) has been implicated in signaling actions in several cell types including endocrine cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of exogenous AA on GH release from dispersed pituitary cells and tried to elucidate the mechanism involved in this process. We show that AA stimulates GH release in a dose- and extracellular calcium-dependent manner. The effects of AA on cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were studied using dual-emission microspectrofluorimetry in identified somatotropes. AA (1 microM) induced an increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) by stimulating Ca2+ influx through dihydropyridine-sensitive, voltage-dependent calcium channels. In these cells, the effects of AA were only reduced by the inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity, suggesting that the fatty acid may act by both PKC-dependent and PKC-independent pathways. In order to determine whether AA metabolites were involved in the effects attributed to AA, and, if so, which ones, we inhibited the three arachidonate metabolic pathways: cyclo-oxygenase by indomethacin (50 microM), lipoxygenase by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NGDA, 50 microM), and epoxygenase by 5,8,11, 14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA, 10 microM). NGDA and ETYA reduced the effects of AA on GH release (50 and 74%, respectively) and inhibited the [Ca2+]i response, whereas indomethacin slightly potentiated both AA-induced GH release and [Ca2+]i increase. As these results suggested that lipoxygenase metabolites may be responsible for AA-induced Ca2+ influx and GH release, we tested the effects of 5-, 12- and 15-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (5-, 12- and 15-HpETE) on [Ca2+]i and GH release. They all stimulated calcium influx and GH release in a dose-dependent manner, 12-HpETE being more potent than 5- and 15-HpETE. We conclude that lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid, particularly 12-HpETE, may be involved in the GH secretion mechanism, probably by facilitating Ca2+ influx via L-type Ca2+ channels.

Wortmannin inhibits the activation of MAP kinase following vasopressin V1 receptor stimulation

Treatment of rat 3Y1 fibroblasts with vasopressin (AVP) results in a transient activation of MAP kinase as potent as with EGF and serum. An antagonist of vasopressin receptor V1, but not an antagonist of V2, inhibited the AVP-induced activation of MAP kinases, indicating that AVP activates MAP kinases through V1 receptor. Prolonged TPA treatment of cells resulted in partial MAP kinase activation, indicating the presence of PKC-independent pathway. The pathway was inhibited by wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3-kinase. The results suggest that wortmannin-sensitive molecules such as PI3-kinase, are involved in the V1 receptor-mediated activation of the MAP kinase pathway independent of TPA-sensitive PKC.

Thrombin Induces the Preproendothelin-1 Gene in Endothelial Cells by a Protein Tyrosine Kinase–Linked Mechanism

Thrombin stimulates synthesis and secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a vasoactive peptide that triggers responses in the vascular endothelium and smooth muscle. We investigated the signal transduction pathways by which thrombin stimulates preproET-1 gene expression and ET-1 peptide secretion in macrovascular cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells [HUVECs] and bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells [BPAECs]) and microvascular cells (human microvascular endothelial cell line [HMEC-1]). Thrombin (4 U/mL) stimulated maximal induction of ET-1 peptide secretion and preproET-1 mRNA after 2 hours in HUVECs and BPAECs and after 1 hour in HMEC-1. A synthetic thrombin receptor activator peptide confirmed ligand-specific receptor actions to induce preproET-1 mRNA. Protein kinase C (PKC) activation by phorbol ester transiently induced preproET-1 mRNA but had no effect on ET-1 peptide synthesis. PKC inhibitors sangivamycin and calphostin C and PKC depletion failed to suppress thrombin-stimulated preproET-1 mRNA. Adenylate cyclase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase did not participate in thrombin-induced preproET-1 gene activation. Thrombin stimulated a rapid increase in phosphotyrosine-containing proteins, suggesting a role for tyrosine phosphorylation in thrombin signaling. These data demonstrate that thrombin induces the preproET-1 gene and ET-1 peptide synthesis by a PKC-independent PTK-dependent pathway in macrovascular and microvascular endothelial cells. Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors herbimycin A and genistein blocked thrombin-stimulated preproET-1 mRNA and peptide secretion, whereas daidzein, which lacks inhibitory activity, did not suppress thrombin-induced ET-1.

Endothelins stimulate sodium uptake into rat brain capillary endothelial cells through endothelin A-like receptors

The effect of endothelins (ETs) on sodium/hydrogen (Na +/H +) antiport system was examined in cultured rat brain capillary endothelium (RBEC). ET 1, ET 2, and ET -3 stimulated Na + upptake into RBEC with similar half-maximal stimulation (EC 50) values (0.7, 0.6, and 1.1 nM, respectively). This reaction was inhibited by the Na +/H + antiport inhibitor, N-(ethyl- N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA). The selective endothelin A (ET A) receptor-antagonist (cyclo- d-Trp- d-Asp-Pro- d-Val-Leu (BQ123)), but not endothelin B (ET B) receptor-antagonists ((Cys 11, Cys 15)-ET l (IRL1038) or N-cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidinocarbonyl- l-γMeLeu- d-Trp(000Me)- d-Nle-ONa (BQ788)), inhibited both ET-1- and ET-3-stimulated Na + uptake, indicating ET A-receptor mediation. The protein kinase C (PKC) activator (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)) failed to stimulate Na + uptake. The calcium-calmodulin (CaM) inhibitor (W7) reduced ET-1-stimulated Na + uptake by 50%, whereas the PKC inhibitor (staurosporine) had no effect, indicating that ET-1 stimulation of the Na +/H + antiport system is linked to a CaM-dependent and PKC-independent pathway.

Protein Kinase C-Independent Activation of RAF-1 and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase by Leukotriene B4 in Guinea Pig Eosinophils

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were found to activate serine/threonine kinase c-Raf-1 (Raf-1) and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in guinea pig eosinophils. Raf-1 was activated by both compounds in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, and the activation by each paralleled that of MAP kinase. The LTB4 receptor antagonist ONO-4057 prevented the LTB4-induced activation of Raf-1 and MAP kinase, but had no effect on the PMA-induced activation of these kinases. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, (±)1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-methylglycerol (AMG-C16) and bisindolylmaleimide (GF 109203X), suppressed the PMA-induced activation of Raf-1 and MAP kinase, but not the LTB4-induced activation of both kinases. Our findings suggest that the activation of Raf-1 and MAP kinase by LTB4 involves a PKC-independent pathway.

Protein kinase C in angiotensin II signalling in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts. Role in the mitogenic response.

The mitogenic effects of angiotensin II on cardiac fibroblasts are mediated by membrane receptors that are classified as AT1. These receptors are prototypical of the seven transmembrane group of receptors that couple, via G-proteins, to phospholipase C, thereby generating the endogenous activator of protein kinase C, diacylglycerol. Phorbol ester activators of protein kinase C exhibit growth-promoting effects in many cell types, suggesting that this enzyme may be responsible for the growth effects of angiotensin II on cardiac fibroblasts. Both kinase assays and Western analysis demonstrated that angiotensin II does induce translocation of protein kinase C to the detergent-soluble, membrane compartment of cardiac fibroblasts. Although translocation is commonly interpreted to mean activation of protein kinase C, in situ assays on permeabilized cells failed to detect increased enzymatic activity in response to angiotensin II. Nonetheless, this hormone did activate protein kinase C, leading to activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. However, a PKC-independent pathway for activation of MAP kinases exists as well. Downregulation and inhibitor studies indicated that protein kinase C is not critically involved in angiotensin II-induced thymidine incorporation into DNA. Furthermore, phorbol esters that activate protein kinase C do not elicit a mitogenic response in these cells. In conclusion, the mitogenic effects of angiotensin II on cardiac fibroblasts are not simply explained by activation of protein kinase C.

Thapsigargin induces IL-2 receptor α-chain in human peripheral and Jurkat T cells via a protein kinase C-independent mechanism

Thapsigargin (TG), an inhibitor of Ca 2+-ATPase, depletes intracellular Ca 2+ stores and induces a sustained Ca 2+ influx without altering phosphatidyl inositol levels. TG plus phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) but not TG alone induced IL-2 in Jurkat T cells, suggesting that TG had no effect on protein kinase C (PKC). However, TG induced increases in IL-2Rα protein as well as IL-2Rα mRNA in Jurkat T cells in a dose-dependent manner. A similar increase in IL-2Rα by TG was also observed in human peripheral T cells. Further, like PMA, TG markedly induced NFκB in Jurkat T cells. However, TG and PMA exhibited a synergistic action on IL-2Rα expression, suggesting that TG and PMA induce IL-2Rα through distinct pathways. PMA- but not TG-induced IL-2Rα is inhibited by the PKC inhibitor H7, whereas TG- but not PMA-induced IL-2Rα was inhibited by cholera toxin, forskolin and 1,9-dideoxy forskolin. In toto, these results suggest that TG induces IL-2Rα in human T cells through a PKC-independent pathway.

Activation of the respiratory burst in eosinophil leucocytes--a transduction sequence decoupled from cytosolic Ca2+ rise.

The activation of the respiratory burst by complement factor 5a (C5a), platelet-activating factor (PAF), formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) and neutrophil-activating peptide IL-8 was explored in eosinophils from patients with the hypereosinophilic syndrome. The amplitude of the response increased with increasing concentrations of C5a and PAF, but the time for its induction was unaffected by the amount of stimulus applied. Respiratory burst activity resulting from phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA)-mediated activation of protein kinase C (PKC) produced longer onset times, which shortened with increasing PMA concentrations. Total inhibition of the C5a- and PMA-mediated burst could be achieved with the PKC inhibitor staurosporine at concentrations of 100 and 5nM, respectively. Calcium depletion abolished agonist-induced rises in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and respiratory burst activity, but not PMA-mediated NADPH-oxidase activation. While PMA reduced elevations in [Ca2+]i, it restored the burst response to agonists in Ca(2+)-depleted eosinophils. These results agree with the agonist-induced activation of the NADPH-oxidase via PKC, but suggest a parallel, Ca(2+)-, phospholipase C- and PKC-independent signal transduction pathway. Data obtained with B. pertussis toxin showed that the respiratory burst in eosinophils is blocked by ADP-ribosylation of G(i)-proteins, but that in the presence of PMA portions of the agonist response could be recovered.