Subcellular Distribution Of Protein Kinase C Research Articles

Activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) channel for cardiac protection against ischemic injury is dependent on protein kinase C activity.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in the second messenger signaling cascade during ischemic and Ca(2+) preconditioning. Given that the pharmacological activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) (mitoK(ATP)) channels also mimics preconditioning, the mechanisms linking PKC activation and mitoK(ATP) channels remain to be established. We hypothesize that PKC activity is important for the opening of the mitoK(ATP) channel. To examine this, a specific opener of the mitoK(ATP) channel, diazoxide, was used in conjunction with subcellular distribution of PKC in a model of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were subjected to 40-minute ischemia followed by 30-minute reperfusion. Effects of activation of the mitoK(ATP) channel and other interventions on functional, biochemical, and pathological changes in ischemic hearts were assessed. In hearts treated with diazoxide, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and coronary flow were significantly improved after I/R; lactate dehydrogenase release was also significantly decreased. The morphology was well preserved in diazoxide-treated hearts compared with nontreated ischemic control hearts. The salutary effects of diazoxide on the ischemic injury were similar to those of Ca(2+) preconditioning. Administration of sodium 5-hydroxydecanoate, an effective blocker of the mitoK(ATP) channel, or chelerythrine or calphostin C, an inhibitor of PKC, during diazoxide pretreatment or during continuous presence of diazoxide in the ischemic period, completely abolished the beneficial effects of the diazoxide on the I/R injury. Blockade of Ca(2+) entry during diazoxide treatment by inhibiting the L-type Ca(2+) channel with verapamil also completely reversed the beneficial effect of diazoxide during I/R. PKC-alpha was translocated to sarcolemma, whereas PKC-delta was translocated to the mitochondria and intercalated disc, and PKC-epsilon was translocated to the intercalated disc of the diazoxide-pretreated hearts. Colocalization studies for mitochondrial distribution with tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) and PKC isoforms by immunoconfocal microscopy revealed that PKC-delta antibody specifically stained the mitochondria. ATP was significantly increased in the diazoxide-treated hearts. Moreover, the data suggest that activation and translocation of PKC to mitochondria appear to be important for the protection mediated by mitoK(ATP) channel.

Pharmacologic preconditioning induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation is mediated by activation of protein kinase C.

Ischemic preconditioning (I-PC) occurs via activation of protein kinase C (PKC). This study was undertaken to determine whether pharmacologic preconditioning by beta-adrenergic stimulation (beta-PC) is mediated by PKC activation. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 40-min ischemia and 30-min reperfusion. Beta-PC was induced by 0.25 microM isoproterenol pretreatment for 2 min followed by 10-min normoxic perfusion. Beta-PC enhanced the recovery of rate-pressure product of the ischemic/reperfused heart (79.1 +/- 8.4% vs. 12.4 +/- 1.6% of initial for Non-PC group, n = 6) and attenuated the release of creatine kinase during 30-min reperfusion (30.2 +/- 2.2 vs. 59.8 +/- 6.1 nmol/min/g wet wt for Non-PC group, n = 6), similar to an I-PC stimulus of 5-min ischemia and 5-min reperfusion. Treatment with 50 microM polymyxin B, a PKC inhibitor, abolished the cardioprotection of both beta-PC and I-PC. Furthermore, similar changes in subcellular distribution of PKC were induced by both beta-PC and I-PC. The changes in subcellular distribution of PKC-delta suggested its translocation from cytosol to membrane fraction, a marker of PKC activation. These results suggest that the cardioprotection induced by beta-PC, like I-PC, is mediated by PKC activation.

Temporal changes in the subcellular distribution of protein kinase C in rabbit heart during global ischemia.

Our recent studies utilizing an in vivo regional ischemia model revealed no changes in the subcellular distribution of protein kinase C (PKC) in dog and rabbit hearts after repeated 5 min episodes of preconditioning ischemia/reperfusion. However, 10 min of sustained ischemia resulted in an increase in PKC activity in the membrane fraction. These findings indicate that prolonged ischemia may cause changes in the subcellular distribution of PKC. However, the detailed time course of these changes during sustained severe ischemia is poorly resolved. Thus, our objective was to study temporal changes in PKC distribution in the cytosolic, nuclear, and membrane fractions isolated from globally ischemic rabbit heart. Hearts were removed under deep anesthesia, placed into normal saline at 37 degrees C, and repeatedly sampled from apex to base at baseline, 2, 5, and 10 min into global ischemia, with matched samples obtained in every heart. PKC activity was increased at 2 min into global ischemia in both the nuclear fraction (1069 +/- 75 vs. 893 +/- 49 pmol/min/g at baseline; p = 0.05) and the membrane fraction (1374 +/- 95 vs 1187 +/- 59 pmol/min/g at baseline; p < 0.05) with persistent translocation observed at 5 and 10 min into the protocol. Thus, direct biochemical determination of PKC activity in the isolated rabbit heart revealed increased activity in the nuclear and the membrane fractions as early as 2 min into global ischemia.

Protein Kinase C Mediates the Mitogenic Action of Thrombopoietin in c-Mpl–Expressing UT-7 Cells

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in signal transduction events elicited by several hematopoietic growth factors. Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the major regulator of megakaryocytic lineage development, and its receptor, c-Mpl, transduces signals for the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors. In this study we have examined the effect of TPO on the subcellular distribution of PKC (a measure of enzyme activation) in a growth factor-dependent pluripotent hematopoietic cell line that was engineered to express the c-Mpl receptor (UT-7/mpl). In addition, we have assessed the significance of this activation for the induction of both mitogenesis and differentiation. Using a PKC translocation assay, TPO was found to stimulate a time- and dose-dependent increase in the total content of PKC activity present in the membrane fraction of UT-7/mpl cells (maximum increase = 2.3-fold above basal level after 15 minutes with 40 ng/mL TPO, EC50 = 7 ng/mL). Accordingly, a decrease of PKC content in the cytosolic fraction was observed. Immunoblot analysis using PKC isotype-specific antibodies showed that TPO treatment led to a marked increase of the Ca2+/diacylglycerol-sensitive PKC isoforms α and β found in the membrane fraction. In contrast, the subcellular distribution of these isoforms did not change after treatment with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Exposure of UT-7/mpl cells to the selective PKC inhibitor GF109203X completely inhibited the PKC activity associated to the membrane fraction after TPO treatment, and blocked the mitogenic effect of TPO. In contrast, GF109203X had no effect on the TPO-induced expression of GpIIb, a megakaryocytic differentiation antigen. Downregulation of PKC isoforms α and β to less than 25% of their initial level by treatment with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate also abolished the TPO-induced mitogenic response, but had no significant effect when this response was induced by GM-CSF. Taken together, these findings suggest that (1) TPO stimulates the activation of PKC, (2) PKC activation mediates the mitogenic action of TPO, and (3) PKC activation is not required for TPO-induced expression of megakaryocytic surface markers.

The distribution of protein kinase C in human leukocytes is altered in microgravity.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is an ubiquitous enzyme that mediates intracellular signal transduction in eukaryotes. Jurkat and U937 cells were exposed to microgravity during a Space Shuttle flight and stimulated with a radiolabeled phorbol ester (3H-PDBu) that specifically activates and labels several PKC isoforms. Both the total amount of 3H-PDBu labeling per cell and the relative distribution of labeling between subcellular compartments were altered in microgravity compared to onboard and ground 1 g control samples. The amount of total phorbol ester labeling per cell was increased approximately twofold in microgravity samples when compared with onboard 1 g samples for both cell lines. The subcellular distribution of PKC in the cytosol and nuclear fractions appeared to be correlated with the applied acceleration. In both cell types the relative amount of phorbol ester labeling in the nuclear fraction decreased with applied acceleration, whereas the labeling in cytosolic fraction increased with g level. No significant differences were observed between labeling levels in the membrane fraction in both cell types. Interleukin-1beta synthesis by U937 cells was markedly decreased in microgravity when compared to the onboard 1 g control, suggesting that the observed alterations in PKC distribution may have functional consequences. The results may have important implications for the effect of gravity on cellular signal transduction.

Arachidonic acid-induced down-regulation of protein kinase C δ in beta-cells

We have previously identified expression of multiple protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in insulinoma-derived beta-cells and whole islets. Both PKC γ and PKC α appear to be the more abundantly expressed isoforms. In this report we studied the effects of arachidonic acid (AA) on the subcellular distribution of PKC α and PKC γ. AA has been reported to activate both PKC α and PKC γ and it is thought to be an important second messenger in beta-cells. Here we report that AA interacted with and altered beta-cell pools of PKC γ preferentially over PKC α. AA (100 μM) over the course of 45 min reduced cytosolic levels of PKC γ (to 40 ± 15%, compared to time zero control) leaving membrane-and cytoskeleton-associated levels near control levels. Analysis of whole cell homogenates showed a slight down-regulation of PKC γ indicating proteolysis. The down-regulation of cytosolic PKC γ appeared to be isoform specific since cytosolic PKC α remained at control levels over the time course. The response was dose-dependent and negligible at concentrations below 30 μM and occurred, at least partially, in the cytosolic compartment of the cell. Indomethacin also down-regulated cytosolic PKC γ preferentially over PKC α possibly through accumulation of AA. These findings suggest that cytosolic PKC γ may be a downstream target of this beta-cell second messenger. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Arachidonic acid‐induced down‐regulation of protein kinase C δ in beta‐cells

We have previously identified expression of multiple protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in insulinoma-derived beta-cells and whole islets. Both PKC γ and PKC α appear to be the more abundantly expressed isoforms. In this report we studied the effects of arachidonic acid (AA) on the subcellular distribution of PKC α and PKC γ. AA has been reported to activate both PKC α and PKC γ and it is thought to be an important second messenger in beta-cells. Here we report that AA interacted with and altered beta-cell pools of PKC γ preferentially over PKC α. AA (100 μM) over the course of 45 min reduced cytosolic levels of PKC γ (to 40 ± 15%, compared to time zero control) leaving membrane-and cytoskeleton-associated levels near control levels. Analysis of whole cell homogenates showed a slight down-regulation of PKC γ indicating proteolysis. The down-regulation of cytosolic PKC γ appeared to be isoform specific since cytosolic PKC α remained at control levels over the time course. The response was dose-dependent and negligible at concentrations below 30 μM and occurred, at least partially, in the cytosolic compartment of the cell. Indomethacin also down-regulated cytosolic PKC γ preferentially over PKC α possibly through accumulation of AA. These findings suggest that cytosolic PKC γ may be a downstream target of this beta-cell second messenger. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Does Ischemic Preconditioning Trigger Translocation of Protein Kinase C in the Canine Model?

Brief episodes of ischemia protect or "precondition" the heart and reduce the size of infarcts caused by subsequent sustained coronary artery occlusion, yet the mechanisms responsible for this cardioprotection remain unresolved. We tested the theory that translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) to the myocyte membranes, initiated in response to brief preconditioning ischemia and manifest during the initial minutes of the sustained occlusion, mediates this phenomenon by attempting to (1) blunt the cardioprotective effects of preconditioning by administration of the PKC inhibitors H-7 and polymyxin B, (2) visualize by fluorescence staining and confocal microscopy changes in the amount or location of PKC, and (3) quantify by incorporation of 32P into PKC-specific peptide changes in the subcellular distribution of PKC in preconditioned versus control hearts. In the first three limbs of this study, anesthetized open-chest dogs underwent four 5-minute episodes of preconditioning ischemia or a comparable control period before 1 hour of sustained occlusion and 4 to 5 hours of reperfusion. Collateral blood flow was assessed with radioactive microspheres; area at risk (AR) was delineated by injection of blue dye; and the area of necrosis (AN) was measured by tetrazolium staining. AN/AR was smaller in preconditioned versus control dogs that received no treatment (6 +/- 2% versus 19 +/- 3%, P < .01), H-7 (2 +/- 2% versus 14 +/- 5%, P < .02), or polymyxin B (10 +/- 3% versus 29 +/- 5%, P < .01) during the preconditioning or control period. Additional dogs underwent four 5-minute episodes of ischemia, with biopsies obtained at baseline and after the first and fourth occlusions. Frozen sections were stained with a fluorescent probe for active PKC and viewed with confocal microscopy. No differences in the intensity or distribution of fluorescence staining were observed after brief ischemia compared with baseline. Finally, myocardial samples were obtained from dogs subjected to four 5-minute episodes of preconditioning ischemia and time-matched sham-operated controls. Incorporation of 32P into PKC-specific peptide revealed no quantitative difference in the subcellular distribution of PKC between control and preconditioned cohorts. H-7 and polymyxin B did not blunt the reduction in infant size achieved with ischemic preconditioning. Neither fluorescence staining and confocal microscopy nor biochemical quantification revealed evidence of preconditioning-induced translocation of PKC to the cell membranes. These results fail to support the hypothesis that translocation of PKC, triggered by preconditioning ischemia, is an important mechanism for the reduction in infarct size seen with preconditioning in the dog model.

Effect of benzoyl peroxide on protein kinase C in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes.

Benzoyl peroxide (BzPO) has been the most widely used topical agent for acne since the 1960s. This is true despite numerous reports that BzPO can enhance the development of carcinomas from murine epidermal papillomas. Because activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is considered to mediate cellular responses to other epidermal tumor promotors, we wished to investigate the relationship between BzPO and PKC in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). We assayed (a) direct effects of BzPO on PKC activity in a cell-free system using semipurified human keratinocyte PKC, (b) BzPO effects on the subcellular distribution of PKC, and (c) BzPO modulation of NHEK proliferation and phorbol ester-induced differentiation. NHEK maintained in serum-free media (0.15 mM Ca2+) were treated with concentrations of BzPO in acetone from 100 nM to 500 microM, with concentrations of acetone not exceeding 0.1%. No short-term translocation of PKC from cytosol to membrane was observed at any BzPO concentration. BzPO did not downregulate subcellular levels of PKC activity after 24 h of exposure. BzPO did not significantly antagonize phorbol ester-induced inhibition of proliferation or differentiation but did weakly antagonize Ca(2+)-induced differentiation. Consistent with a PKC-mediated mechanism for Ca(2+)-induced differentiation, BzPO inhibited both human and murine PKC in a cell-free system. These results suggest that BzPO does not promote malignant conversion through a PKC-dependent mechanism, and in fact, inhibits PKC activity in vitro.

12(S)-HETE enhancement of prostate tumor cell invasion: selective role of PKC alpha.

Prostate carcinoma has become the second most fatal cancer in American men. In Dunning R3327 rat prostate adenocarcinoma cells, elevated invasiveness positively correlates with metastatic potential. However, the mechanism(s) responsible for regulation of tumor cell motility and invasion is poorly understood. We have reported that a lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [12(S)-HETE], augments tumor cell metastatic potential through activation of protein kinase C (PKC). We proposed to determine the effect of 12(S)-HETE on the motility and invasion of low-metastatic rat prostate AT2.1 tumor cells and the effect of 12(S)-HETE activation of specific PKC isoform(s) in these processes. The motility of AT2.1 cells was determined by the colloidal gold phagokinetic track assay and the invasiveness measured as their ability to invade through basement membrane Matrigel-coated filters. Expression of PKC isoforms was determined by Western blotting of the whole cell lysate with isoform-specific anti-PKC antibodies. Cytosol and membrane fractions were prepared and the subcellular distribution of PKC was analyzed by Western blotting and activity assay. The effect of 12(S)-HETE on cell proliferation was examined. Data were analyzed for significance of difference with the two-sampled, two-sided Student's t test. 12(S)-HETE increased the motility and invasion of AT2.1 cells, and this 12(S)-HETE-increased motility and invasion were inhibited by a selective PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, as well as a Ca2 chelator, bis-(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid/tetra(acetoxy-methyl)ester. AT2.1 cells expressed the PKC isoforms alpha and delta, and 12(S)-HETE increased the membrane association of PKC alpha but not delta. Further, the motility and invasion of AT2.1 cells were increased by thymelea toxin, a selective activator of PKC alpha over PKC delta. 12(S)-HETE augments the invasiveness of AT2.1 cells via selective activation of PKC alpha. 12(S)-HETE modulation of PKC alpha invasiveness may be an important mechanism of action for the regulation of the invasive potential of rat prostate carcinoma cells, and the 12-lipoxygenase enzyme and/or PKC alpha may serve as key targets for the development of anti-invasive agents useful for combating the spread of prostate cancer.

Alterations in protein kinase C system of colonic epithelium during fasting-refeeding

In the present study, we compared (1) incorporation of [3H]dThd into DNA, (2) total protein kinase C (PKC) activity, (3) the subcellular distribution of PKC, and (4) PKC isozyme (alpha, beta and gamma) mass in colonic mucosal scrapings and isolated superficial and proliferative colonic epithelial cells from 48-hr fasted, 48-hr fasted-refed, and ad libitum-fed rats. Total colonic mucosal PKC activity and PKC alpha mass were higher and the in vivo rate of [3H]dThd incorporation into mucosal DNA was markedly depressed in 48-hr fasted rats compared to ad libitum-fed or fasted-refed rats. These alterations were localized predominantly to the proliferative pool of colonic epithelial cells. Despite an 11-fold increase in mucosal DNA synthesis, no alterations in total mucosal PKC activity were detected in fasted-refed rats compared to rats fed ad libitum. Moreover, no differences in the subcellular distribution of PKC were noted among any of the dietary groups. Intrarectal instillation of deoxycholate activated PKC and increased DNA synthesis 1.5- to 2-fold. Deoxycholate-induced increases in DNA synthesis, but not those induced by refeeding, were inhibited by treatment of rats with the PKC inhibitors H-7, sphingosine, or staurospaurine. The results do not support a role for PKC in the mediation of increased proliferative activity of colonic mucosa induced by refeeding.

Expression of protein kinase C in postischemic brain: an in situ hybridization study.

Cerebral ischemia leads to a number of biochemical and molecular changes which include increase in intracellular calcium, arachidonic acid, and diacylglycerol, all of which are capable of activating protein kinase C (PKC). To investigate how the expression of PKC is affected in postischemic brain, ischemia was produced in gerbils by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 10 min followed by reperfusion for 15 min, 6 h, and 24 h. The brains of postischemic and normal control animals were removed, forebrains dissected, fresh frozen, and processed for in situ hybridization. The mRNA expression of PKC was analyzed by using oligonucleotide probes based on the sequences of PKC alpha and epsilon isozymes in this preliminary study. There was no change observed in the expression of PKC alpha in any region of the brain in any of the postischemic groups examined. There was, however, a qualitative increase in the transcription for PKC epsilon in two out of three brains of 15 min postischemic group which continued through 24 h of reperfusion. Since the protein itself was not examined, it can not be said how these observations regarding transcription relate to the synthesis of the protein and whether there are any changes in the subcellular distribution of PKC following ischemia. However, since there was no decrease in transcription demonstrated in our study, it appears that the reported decrease in PKC activity following ischemia is not due to decreased mRNA expression.

Hepatitis B virus X protein activates transcription factor NF-kappa B without a requirement for protein kinase C.

The hepatitis B virus X protein stimulates transcription from a variety of promoter elements, including those activated by transcription factor NF-kappa B. A diverse group of extra- and intracellular agents, including growth factors and the human immunodeficiency virus tat protein, have been shown to require a functional protein kinase C (PKC) system to achieve activation of NF-kappa B. In this study we have investigated the molecular mechanism by which X protein activates NF-kappa B. We demonstrate that in hepatocytes, X protein induces a maximal activation of NF-kappa B corresponding to the sequestered pool of factor, which is also activated by phorbol esters. To determine whether X protein requires activation of PKC to stimulate transcription by NF-kappa B, we attempted to prevent transactivation by X protein in the presence of the PKC inhibitors calphostin C and H7. We show that PKC inhibitors do not block X protein activation of NF-kappa B, whereas they largely impair activation by phorbol esters. In addition, activation of PKC is correlated with its translocation from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. The subcellular distribution of PKC was investigated by introducing X protein from a replication-defective adenovirus vector, followed by immunochemical detection of PKC in cell fractions. These data also indicate that X protein stimulates transcription by NF-kappa B without the activation and translocation of PKC.

Protein Kinase C Activity in Rat Brain Cortex

The procedure used to obtain cerebral tissue for analysis of protein kinase C (PKC) activity may affect the subcellular distribution of the enzyme. We compared different methods of tissue preparation and found that the proportion of PKC activity associated with the particulate fraction of the cerebral cortex was only 30% when the brain was frozen in situ while the animal was on life support or after decapitation followed by delayed freezing. Other methods of obtaining cerebral tissue resulted in 49-56% of the PKC activity in the particulate fraction. Freezing per se had no apparent effect on the activity or subcellular distribution of PKC. In addition, whenever the particulate PKC activity was high (greater than 48%), there was also a significant increase in the proportion of particulate protein (from 51 to approximately 63%, p less than 0.05).

Protein kinase C is localized in focal contacts of normal but not transformed fibroblasts

Transformed cells differ from normal cells in that they fail to respond to normal signals for regulation of growth and differentiation. This disordered signal transduction probably contributes to maintenance of the transformed phenotype. Several lines of evidence suggest that changes in the Ca2(+)- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC), may be important for transformation. To determine the role of PKC in transformation, we compared the levels and subcellular distribution of total phorbol ester receptors and PKC in normal and SV40-transformed rat embryo fibroblasts (REF52 cells). We also used our alpha-PKC (Type 3)-specific monoclonal antibodies to compare alpha-PKC content and regulation. We found no differences in quantity or subcellular distribution of PKC in 100,000 x g soluble and pelletable fractions. Downmodulation, which represents a feedback loop for limiting PKC activity, occurs to the same extent in both cell types. A major difference between the normal and transformed cells was revealed by immunofluorescence of alpha-PKC. In normal cels, alpha-PKC is tightly associated with the cytoskeleton and appears to be organized into focal contacts because it colocalizes with talin. In contrast, in SV40-REF52 cells, alpha-PKC is not tightly associated with the cytoskeleton and does not colocalize with talin. The difference in subcellular localizations correlates with a loss of two alpha-PKC-binding proteins in the transformed cells. These results indicate that inappropriate subcellular location of alpha-PKC may contribute to maintenance of the transformed phenotype.

Relationship of bile salt stimulation of colonic epithelial phospholipid turnover and proliferative activity: Role of activation of protein kinase C

The mechanism by which bile salts stimulate the proliferative activity of colonic epithelium is uncertain. One of the striking cellular actions of certain bile salts that enhance the proliferative activity of colonic epithelium, such as deoxycholate (DOC) and chenodeoxycholate, is the rapid stimulation of membrane phospholipid turnover. Increased membrane phosphoinositol turnover may lead to release of diacylglycerol (DAG). The latter is an endogenous activator of the calcium phospholipid-dependent enzyme protein kinase C (PKC) whose stimulation has been correlated with enhanced proliferation in several cell systems. In the present study, we examined the effects of DOC on PKC of colonic epithelium in vitro and in vivo. When added directly in vitro to partially purified soluble preparations of phospholipid, calcium-dependent PKC from crypts isolated from rat colon, DOC suppressed activity by 20%, presumably due to calcium complex formation. By contrast, the tumor promoter, 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and the DAG derivative, 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG), increased soluble PKC in vitro twofold. The nontumor promoters phorbol and 4α-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (4αPDD) were without effect. However, in intact colonic epithelial crypt cells prelabeled with arachidonate, DOC caused rapid release of DAG and markedly increased the fraction of PKC associated with the particulate cell fraction, an index of PKC activation. TPA and OAG caused similar shifts in the subcellular distribution of PKC but did not stimulate DAG release, whereas phorbol and 4αPDD were without effect on any parameter. In vivo intracolonic instillation of DOC, OAG, or TPA each induced a shift of soluble PKC to the particulate fraction of colonic mucosal scrapings. The latter in vivo changes in PKC were associated with increases in colonic mucosal ornithine decarboxylase activity and [ 3H]dThd incorporation into DNA. Phorbol and 4αPDD failed to alter any of these parameters in vivo. The results support a role for activation of PKC in bile salt stimulation of colonic epithelial proliferative activity.

Obstruction of urine drainage facilitates but does not cause renal dysplasia: [formula omitted] and [formula omitted] Division of Urology, Children's Memorial Hospital and Department of Human Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, 60614, USA

Induction and subcellular localization of protein kinase C isozymes following renal ischemia.We have previously reported that the expression of the receptor for activated C kinase (RACK1) is induced post-ischemia/preperfusion injury to the kidney, and activation of protein kinase C (PKC) protects renal cells from hypoxic injury. This study was done to determine whether the induced expression of RACK1 is accompanied by changes in the level of expression and subcellular distribution of PKC isozymes.Ischemia/reperfusion injury resulting in acute renal failure was induced by 60 minutes of bilateral renal artery clamping in rats. The expression levels and translocation of various PKC isozymes between soluble and particulate fractions in whole kidney homogenates were demonstrated by immunoblot analysis. The expression pattern of the various PKC isozymes in the kidney postinjury was performed by immunohistochemistry.PKC α, βII, and ζ were induced and translocated from the soluble fraction to the particulate fraction post-injury. Immunolocalization showed PKC α, βII, and ζ expression to be induced in the proximal tubule epithelial cell (PTEC) at 0 to 30 minutes post-ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). At one-day postinjury, the α isozyme was translocated to the plasma membrane of the undamaged PTEC, while it was translocated to the nucleus in damaged PTEC. PKC βII expression was along the basal and lateral side of the undamaged PTEC, while it was distributed in the cytoplasm of sloughed cells in the damaged PTEC. PKC ζ expression at one day was along the apical side of the damaged PTEC. At seven-days postinjury, the expressions of the α and ζ isozymes were localized to the plasma membrane of the regenerating PTEC and the expression of PKC βII isozyme to certain interstitial cells.The induced expression, translocation, and the intracellular spatial distributions of the enzymes suggest that they may mediate multiple processes during IRI.