Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's lymphoma present features of cellular senescence.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) is one of the most prevailing malignancies in young adults. Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells in HL have distinctive large cell morphology, are characteristic of the disease and their presence is essential for diagnosis. Enlarged cells are one of the hallmarks of senescence, but whether RS cells are senescent has not been previously investigated. Here we show that RS cells have characteristics of senescent cells; RS cells in HL biopsies specifically express the senescence markers and cell cycle inhibitors p21Cip1 and p16INK4a and are negative for the proliferation marker Ki-67, suggesting that these cells have ceased to proliferate. Moreover, the RS-like cells in HL lines, stained specifically for senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal). Oxidative stress promoted senescence in these cells as demonstrated by their staining for p21Cip1, p16INK4a, p53 and γH2AX. Senescent cells produce copious amounts of inflammatory cytokines termed 'senescence-associated secretory phenotype' (SASP), primarily regulated by Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB). Indeed, we show that NF-κB activity and NF-κB-dependent cytokines production (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, GM-CSF) were elevated in RS-like cells. Furthermore, NF-κB inhibitors, JSH-23 and curcumin reduced IL-6 secretion from RS-like cells. Thus, defining RS cells as senescent offers new insights on the origin of the proinflammatory microenvironment in HL.

PKCη promotes senescence induced by oxidative stress and chemotherapy.

Senescence is characterized by permanent cell-cycle arrest despite continued viability and metabolic activity, in conjunction with the secretion of a complex mixture of extracellular proteins and soluble factors known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Cellular senescence has been shown to prevent the proliferation of potentially tumorigenic cells, and is thus generally considered a tumor suppressive process. However, some SASP components may act as pro-tumorigenic mediators on premalignant cells in the microenvironment. A limited number of studies indicated that protein kinase C (PKC) has a role in senescence, with different isoforms having opposing effects. It is therefore important to elucidate the functional role of specific PKCs in senescence. Here we show that PKCη, an epithelial specific and anti-apoptotic kinase, promotes senescence induced by oxidative stress and DNA damage. We further demonstrate that PKCη promotes senescence through its ability to upregulate the expression of the cell cycle inhibitors p21(Cip1) and p27(Kip1) and enhance transcription and secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Moreover, we demonstrate that PKCη creates a positive loop for reinforcing senescence by increasing the transcription of both IL-6 and IL-6 receptor, whereas the expression of IL-8 is specifically suppressed by PKCη. Thus, the presence/absence of PKCη modulates major components of SASP. Furthermore, we show that the human polymorphic variant of PKCη, 374I, that exhibits higher kinase activity in comparison to WT-374V, is also more effective in IL-6 secretion, p21(Cip1) expression and the promotion of senescence, further supporting a role for PKCη in senescence. As there is now considerable interest in senescence activation/elimination to control tumor progression, it is first crucial to reveal the molecular regulators of senescence. This will improve our ability to develop new strategies to harness senescence as a potential cancer therapy in the future.

PKCeta enhances cell cycle progression, the expression of G1 cyclins and p21 in MCF-7 cells.

Protein kinase C encodes a family of enzymes implicated in cellular differentiation, growth control and tumor promotion. However, not much is known with respect to the molecular mechanisms that link protein kinase C to cell cycle control. Here we report that the expression of PKCeta in MCF-7 cells, under the control of a tetracycline-responsive inducible promoter, enhanced cell growth and affected the cell cycle at several points. The induced expression of another PKC isoform, PKCdelta, in MCF-7 cells had opposite effects and inhibited their growth. PKCeta expression activated cellular pathways in these cells that resulted in the increased expression of the G1 phase cyclins, cyclin D and cyclin E. Expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(WAF1) was also specifically elevated in PKCeta expressing cells, but its overall effects were not inhibitory. Although, the protein levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(KIP1) were not altered by the induced expression of PKCeta, the cyclin E associated Cdk2 kinase activity was in correlation with the p27(KIP1) bound to the cyclin E complex and not by p21(WAF1) binding. PKCeta expression enhanced the removal of p27(KIP1) from this complex, and its re-association with the cyclin D/Cdk4 complex. Reduced binding of p27(KIP1) to the cyclin D/Cdk4 complex at early time points of the cell cycle also enhanced the activity of this complex, while at later time points the decrease in bound p21(WAF1) correlated with its increased activity in PKCeta-expressing cells. Thus, PKCeta induces altered expression of several cell cycle functions, which may contribute to its ability to affect cell growth.

Activation of HTLV-I long terminal repeat by stress-inducing agents and protection of HTLV-I-infected T-cells from apoptosis by the viral tax protein.

HTLV-I is etiologically implicated with tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I associated myelopathy, adult T-cell leukemia and certain other diseases. However, after infection the virus enters into a dormant state, whereas the characteristics of the HTLV-I related diseases indicate that their genesis requires activation of the dormant virus by a Tax-independent mechanism. In the present study we demonstrate that a variety of stress-inducing agents (TPA, cisplatin, etoposide, taxol, and 3-methylcholanthrene) are capable of Tax-independent activation of HTLV-I LTR and that this activation is detected mainly in cells that are undergoing through the apoptotic process. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that both apoptosis induction and HTLV-I LTR activation are inhibited by Bcl-2 and by PKC, indicating that these two processes are mechanistically cross-linked. In addition, using an HTLV-I producing human T-cell line which permanently express the negatively transdominant tax mutant, Delta58tax, under the Tet-Off control system, we prove that the virally encoded Tax protein protects the host cells from apoptosis. Together, these data suggest that activation of the dormant virus in the carriers' infected T-cells by certain stress-inducing conditions and protecting these cells from the consequent apoptotic death by the viral Tax protein emerging after this activation, might be the basis for switching the virus from latency to a pathogenic phase.

Expression of PKCeta in NIH-3T3 cells promotes production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6.

Protein kinase C encodes a family of enzymes implicated in cellular differentiation, growth control and tumor promotion. The generation and characterization of NIH-3T3 cells which stably overexpress the PKCeta isoform has been previously described by us. In these cells, overexpression of PKCeta altered the expression of specific cell cycle regulators and promoted differentiation [20]. Since PKC has been implicated in the regulation of gene expression, including that of various cytokines, we examined the production of several cytokines in these cells. We report here that out of the major pro-inflammatory cytokines examined, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and IL-6, only IL-6 was generated and secreted in PKCeta -expressing cells without any additional inducer in serum-supplemented cultures (10% FCS). IL-6 was not detected in the control cell line, transfected with the same vector, but lacking the cDNA coding for PKCeta. Moreover, the production of IL-6 on serum stimulation correlated with the levels of PKCeta expressed in these cells. This implies that factors in the serum activate PKCeta and induce IL-6 production. We have examined several growth factors and cytokines for their ability to induce IL-6 production in our PKCeta-expressing cells. Among the growth factors tested (EGF, PDGF, FGF, insulin, IGF-1 and IL-1), PDGF and FGF were the most potent IL-6 inducers. The effects of FGF and PDGF on IL-6 production were blocked in the presence of PKC inhibitors. We also examined the signaling pathways that mediate production of IL-6 in PKCeta-expressing cells. Using specific inhibitors of the MAPK pathway, we have shown a role for ERK and p38 MAPK in FGF- and serum-stimulated IL-6 production, but only for p38 MAPK in PDGF-stimulated IL-6 production. Our studies provide evidence that PDGF and FGF can serve as upstream regulators of PKCeta and that PKCeta is involved in the expression of IL-6. This suggests that inhibition of PKC may provide a basis for the development of drugs for the treatment of disorders in which IL-6 is pathologically involved.

The role of protein kinase C in G1 and G2/M phases of the cell cycle (review).

The protein serine/threonine kinases--members of protein kinase C (PKC) family--are important components of the major signaling pathways regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. Recent studies implicate PKC in cell cycle control at two sites--during G1 to S progression and at G2 to M transition. Activation of PKC during G1 progression modulates the activity of the specific cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which phosphorylate the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene product (RB). Phosphorylation of RB is a pivotal event in cell cycle progression leading to G1/S transition. PKC mediated enhancement or inhibition of CDK's activity and the RB phosphorylation state appear to be dependent on the precise timing of PKC activation during G1 and on the particular cell type. At G2/M transition, recent evidence suggests that PKC is involved in the regulation of CDC2 activity, although it is mostly implicated as a regulator of lamin B phosphorylation and the nuclear lamina disassembly.

Linking protein kinase C to cell-cycle control.

Protein kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes are involved in diverse cellular functions, including differentiation, growth control, tumor promotion, and cell death. In recent years, evidence has began to emerge suggesting a role for PKC in cell cycle control. A paper published recently, demonstrating a functional link between PKC and cell cycle control in yeast (Marini, N. J., Meldrum, E., Buehrer, B., Hubberstey, A. V., Stone, D. E., Traynor-Kaplan, A. & Reed, S. I. (1996) EMBO J. 15, 3040-3052), strengthens this data. Thus, the existence of cell-cycle-regulated pathways involving PKC in both yeast and mammals indicate that PKC may be a conserved regulator of cell cycle events that links signal transduction pathways and the cell-cycle machinery. In this paper, we will review current data on the cell cycle components that are targets for PKC regulation. PKC enzymes appear to operate as regulators of the cell cycle at two sites, during G1 progression and G2/M transition. In G1, the overall effect of PKC activation is inhibition of the cell cycle at mid to late G1. This cell cycle inhibition correlates with a blockage in the normal phosphorylation of the tumor suppressor retinoblastoma Rb protein, presumably through an indirect mechanism. The reduced activity of the cyclin-dependent kinase, Cdk2, appears to be the major effect of PKC activation in various cell systems. This may also underlie the inhibition of Rb phosphorylation exhibited by PKC activation. Several mechanisms were described in different studies on the regulation of Cdk2 activity by PKC; reduced Cdk-activating kinase activity, diminished expression of the Cdk2 partners cyclins E or A, and the increased expression of the cyclin-dependent inhibitors, p21WAF1 and p27KIP1, which are capable of binding to cyclin/Cdk2 complexes. PKC enzymes were also shown to play a role in G2/M transition. Among the suggested mechanisms is suppression of Cdc2 activity. However, most of the published data strongly implicate PKC in lamin B phosphorylation and nuclear envelope disassembly.

The eta isoform of protein kinase C mediates transcriptional activation of the human transglutaminase 1 gene.

Transglutaminase 1 (TGase 1) is expressed during the terminal differentiation of keratinized squamous epithelium to form cornified cell envelope in differentiated keratinocytes by the epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl) cross-linking reaction. The gene for human TGase 1 is responsible for autosomal recessive lamellar ichthyosis, a severe hereditary keratinizing disorder of the skin. We examined the transcriptional activity of the gene in FRSK, rat keratinocytic cells, transfected with the luciferase reporter gene under control of the 5' upstream region of human TGase 1 gene. Transfection of the reporter gene with an expression vector for the eta isoform of novel protein kinase C (nPKCeta), as well as exposure to 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, markedly increased the luciferase activity in FRSK, but not in HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells, although exogenous nPKCeta was expressed in both. The induction was suppressed by deleting the TGase 1 upstream sequence from -95 to -67 and by deleting the kinase domain from exogenous nPKCeta. In comparison with other PKC isoforms, nPKCeta most effectively induced the luciferase activity. We suggest that nPKCeta, an epithelium-specific isoform of PKC, mediates the activation of the TGase 1 transcription.

Linking protein kinase C to the cell cycle: ectopic expression of PKC eta in NIH3T3 cells alters the expression of cyclins and Cdk inhibitors and induces adipogenesis.

Protein kinase C encodes a family of enzymes implicated in cellular differentiation, growth control and tumor promotion. However, very little is known with respect to the molecular mechanisms that link protein kinase C to cell cycle control. Here we report that ectopic expression of PKC eta in NIH3T3 fibroblasts blocks the normal phosphorylation of the Rb protein in quiescent cultures restimulated to enter the cell cycle; PKC eta activates a cellular program that includes increased expression of cyclins E (but not cyclin D), as well as the induced expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21WAF1 and p27KIP1. The increased expression of the latter inhibitors and their association with the cyclin E-Cdk2 complex results in decreased cyclin E associated kinase activity. Furthermore, in contrast to the control NIH3T3 cells, the cell that express PKC eta can be induced to undergo adipocyte differentiation in response to adipogenic hormones. Thus, PKC eta induces altered expression of several cell cycle related functions, which may contribute to its ability to promote cellular differentiation.

Phorbol ester stimulates choline uptake in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts following introduction of the gene encoding protein kinase C alpha.

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulated radiolabelled choline uptake and incorporation into phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in wild-type NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. The accumulation of labelled choline induced by PMA was paralled by an increase in choline mass. The results implicate protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of choline uptake. In order to address the PKC-subtype specificity of this response, a study was undertaken in Swiss 3T3 fibroblast cells, which normally express very low levels of PKC alpha. A retroviral expression system was used to introduce the genes for PKC alpha and neomycin resistance (used for selection) into the cells. Two resulting lines expressed PKC alpha at levels that were 20-fold higher than those found in the control (neomycin-resistant) line, or in the wild-type cells. In control Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, 1 microM PMA elevated choline levels by only 30%, whereas, in Swiss 3T3 cell lines that stably over-expressed PKC alpha, PMA caused a 5-fold enhancement in [14C]choline accumulation. This concentration of PMA significantly increased [14C]PtdCho levels in both control and PKC alpha-over-expressing lines, although the effect in the latter was significantly greater. The effects of PMA were inhibited by the PKC antagonist sphingosine. These results implicate PKC alpha in the regulation of choline accumulation and phospholipid synthesis in fibroblasts. Although additional PKC subtypes appear to participate in the control of PtdCho synthesis in these cells, PMA-stimulated choline uptake in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts is almost entirely dependent on the presence of PKC alpha.

The expression of PDGF-alpha but not PDGF-beta receptors is suppressed in Swiss/3T3 fibroblasts over-expressing protein kinase C-alpha.

The generation and characterization of Swiss/3T3 cells which stably over-express protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha were previously described by us. In these cells over-expression of PKC-alpha reduced the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor molecules [(1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 13290-13296]. Here we show that the expression of PDGF-alpha receptors, but not PDGF-beta receptors, was specifically decreased in these cells. Not only were the levels of PDGF-alpha receptor mRNA transcript and protein significantly diminished in the PKC-alpha over-producing cells, but their ability to respond to short- and long-term growth factor signals was appropriately compromised. This was reflected in a reduced tyrosine autophosphorylation signal in response to PDGF-AA, as well as in decreased growth rates of PKC-alpha over-expressing cells when supplied with external PDGF-AA. A similar decrease in PDGF-alpha receptors was also demonstrated in parental Swiss/3T3 cells treated with phorbol esters. Our studies imply that PKC-alpha is involved in a cellular mechanism suppressing the expression of PDGF-alpha receptors in Swiss/3T3 cells. Hence, activation of PKC-alpha or alterations in its cellular levels may affect, in turn, the expression of a specific set of cell surface receptors and their responses to external growth factors.

Phospholipase D-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine: role in cell signalling.

Studies carried out in many laboratories have demonstrated the activation of phospholipase D (PLD) by a variety of receptor agonists and in many cell types. The signal-dependent formation of phosphatidic acid (PA), by PLD-catalyzed hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC), may represent a novel and ubiquitous signal transduction pathway in mammalian cells. The mode(s) of coupling between agonist receptors and PLD activation are not well understood. Studies utilizing NIH-3T3 fibroblasts indicated that PLD activation by different mitogens involves distinct mechanisms. Protein kinase C (PKC) seems to play a role both as a mediator and as a modulator of PLD activation. The role of PKC was further examined in Swiss/3T3-derived fibroblasts which stably overexpress PKC-alpha. In these cells, both basal and agonist-stimulated PLD activity are higher than in control cells. In vitro analysis of PLD activity in detergent-solubilized cell membranes, utilizing exogenous C6-NBD-PC as fluorescent substrate, showed nearly 2-fold higher activity in membranes from cells that overexpress PKC-alpha. These results suggest that PKC-alpha may play a role in regulating PLD expression. The PLD product PA was identified as a precursor of 'late phase' diacylglycerol which, at least in some cases, was temporally correlated and causally related to the sustained activation of PKC. However, PA may itself act as an intracellular messenger in its own right, although immediate targets for its action have not yet been identified. Activation of phosphoinositide-phospholipase C, PLD and phospholipase A2 seems to comprise a signaling cascade which is typically utilized by most (if not all) Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists.

Regulation by phorbol esters of amyloid precursor protein release from Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts overexpressing protein kinase C alpha.

Release of large soluble NH2-terminal fragments of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) of Alzheimer's disease was measured in two Swiss 3T3 fibroblast cell lines (designated SF1.4 and SF3.2), overexpressing the alpha subtype of protein kinase C, and in two control cell lines (SC1 and SC2) (Eldar, H., Zisman, Y., Ullrich, A., and Livneh, E. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 13290-13296). Basal release of APP was significantly increased in SF1.4 cells, but not in SF3.2 cells, relative to controls. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase C, elicited a concentration-dependent increase in APP release in all four cell lines. However, the estimated EC50 for this effect was lower in the two cell lines overexpressing protein kinase C-alpha (7 and 6 nM, in SF1.4 and SF3.2 cells, respectively) than in control SC1 and SC2 cells (56 and 22 nM, respectively). The absolute amount of APP released by maximal concentrations of phorbol ester was not altered by overexpression of protein kinase C alpha. The protein kinase C inhibitor H-7 (1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride) significantly reduced the response to phorbol esters in control (SC1) cells but not in cells (SF1.4) that overexpress protein kinase C alpha. Levels of cell-associated APP were slightly elevated, and rates of APP turnover were unchanged, in SF1.4 cells relative to controls. However, cell-associated APP levels were lower in SF3.2 cells than in controls. The results demonstrate that protein kinase C alpha regulates APP release in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, and perhaps in other tissues, including brain, and may be the isozyme that mediates receptor-evoked release of APP.

Regulation of amyloid precursor protein release by protein kinase C in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts.

Release of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) of Alzheimer's disease from Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts was stimulated in a concentration-dependent manner by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. In fibroblasts overexpressing protein kinase C alpha (PKC alpha), the EC50 for this response was 7 nM, while in control cells the EC50 was 63 nM. The effect of PMA was inhibited by the PKC antagonist H-7 in control cells, but not in cells that overexpressed PKC alpha. Basal release of APP was higher in cells that overexpressed PKC alpha, and was not affected by the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, although this compound doubled APP release from control cells. The results suggest that PKC alpha regulates APP processing in mammalian cells. Alterations in the activity of PKC have been reported to occur in Alzheimer's disease and might potentially contribute to abnormalities of APP metabolism characteristic of this disorder.

Up-regulation of phospholipase D activity induced by overexpression of protein kinase C-alpha. Studies in intact Swiss/3T3 cells and in detergent-solubilized membranes in vitro.

The role of protein kinase C in the mechanism of phospholipase D activation by platelet-derived growth factor and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate was studied in Swiss/3T3 fibroblasts that overexpress protein kinase C-alpha. Production of [3H]phosphatidylpropanol (specific product of the phospholipase D-catalyzed transphosphatidylation reaction) was determined in cells which were prelabeled with [3H]oleic acid. Accumulation of [3H]phosphatidylpropanol in response to platelet-derived growth factor and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate was 2-3-fold greater in protein kinase C-alpha-overexpressing SF1.4 cells compared with the vector control cells, SC1. Basal [3H] phosphatidylpropanol production also was 2-fold higher in SF1.4 cells than in SC1 cells. Hence, -fold stimulation of basal phospholipase D activity by platelet-derived growth factor and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate was comparable in the two cell lines and was not significantly altered by the overexpression of protein kinase C-alpha. Similarly, overexpression of protein kinase C-alpha did not affect either the kinetics of phospholipase D activation nor its dependence on platelet-derived growth factor or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate concentration. In vitro assay of phospholipase D activity in membranes isolated from the cells, utilizing exogenous [3H]phosphatidylcholine as a substrate, revealed nearly 2-fold higher phospholipase D activity in SF1.4 cell membranes. Kinetic analysis of detergent-solubilized phospholipase D activity indicated that the apparent Vmax and Km of phospholipase D derived from SF1.4 and SF3.2 (protein kinase C-alpha-overexpressing) cells are significantly higher than those of phospholipase D from control cells. These results indicate that in Swiss/3T3 cells overexpression of protein kinase C-alpha elevates basal and agonist-stimulated phospholipase D activity in intact cells as well as phospholipase D activity in vitro. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that overexpression of protein kinase C-alpha up-regulates phospholipase D, leading to a constitutive higher level of enzyme activity. Thus, protein kinase C-alpha may play a role in regulating phospholipase D expression.

Deletions in the regulatory or kinase domains of protein kinase C-alpha cause association with the cell nucleus.

We have constructed expression plasmids carrying protein kinase C (PKC) cDNAs with deletions in the coding region. Two truncated molecules, consisting only of the kinase domain of PKC-alpha, were generated by removing parts of the cDNA coding for the regulatory region. Another mutant molecule was created by deleting 95 amino acids from the C-terminal part of the molecule. The full-length cDNA coding for PKC-alpha and its deletion constructs was expressed in COS cells. Using cell fractionation experiments and immunofluorescence staining, we demonstrate here that in contrast to the cytosolic localization of full-length PKC-alpha, the truncated forms, coding only for the kinase domain, were found exclusively in the cell nucleus. Further subfractionation of nuclei isolated from these transfected cells indicated partial association with the nuclear envelopes. Expression of the cDNA lacking the C-terminal part of the molecule in COS cells encoded a truncated molecule that was found both in the cytosol and in the nucleus. We also show that translocation of full-length PKC-alpha molecules to the cell nucleus occurred in response to phorbol ester treatment. Thus, it appears that accumulation of PKC-alpha in the nucleus results either by phorbol ester activation or by deletions of specific regions of the molecule. A molecular mechanism for the nuclear translocation of phorbol ester-activated PKC-alpha or its truncated molecules is suggested.

Phosphorylation of p90 and p52 in response to phorbol-esters in Swiss/3T3 cells overexpressing protein kinase C-alpha.

Cell lines stably overexpressing protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha were previously described by us. These cell lines were generated by the introduction of the full length cDNA coding for PKC-alpha into Swiss/3T3 cells. Here we show that activation of PKC-alpha by phorbol-esters induced in these cells specific phosphorylation of two cellular proteins p90 and p52. Phosphorylation of p80 (MARCKS protein), previously identified as a substrate for PKC, was also enhanced. Phosphorylated p90 and p52 proteins were associated with particulate membrane-enriched fractions and were extractable with the use of nonionic detergents. Time course analysis of phorbol-ester induced phosphorylation of p90 and p52 revealed maximal stimulation of phosphorylation after 15-30 min. Phosphamino acid analysis showed that phosphorylation of p90 and p52 occurred mainly on serine residues. Phosphorylation of p52 was also on threonine residues. Whereas, phorbol ester activation induced phosphorylation of both p90 and p52, the mitogens platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) enhanced phosphorylation of p90, but not p52. Thus, our studies showed the involvement of PKC-alpha in the regulation of p90 and p52 phosphorylation and provided direct evidence for the role of PKC-alpha in cellular signaling by PDGF and FGF. Moreover, the fact that phosphorylation of p52 was specific to phorbol ester activation may suggest its involvement in tumor promotion. Characterization of p90 and p52 will enable us to reveal the phosphorylation cascade activated downstream to PKC-alpha and to determine their role in mitogenic signaling and tumor promotion.

Protein kinase C group B members PKC-delta, -epsilon, -zeta and PKC-L(eta). Comparison of properties of recombinant proteins in vitro and in vivo.

Of the recently identified protein kinase C (PKC) types of group B (delta, epsilon, zeta, eta, PKC-L), only PKC-epsilon has been characterized in great detail. In order to compare the regulatory and catalytic properties of these new kinases, we have expressed PKC-delta, -epsilon, -zeta and PKC-L as recombinant proteins from their cDNAs in insect cells via baculovirus vectors and in mammalian COS-1 cells. After expression in insect cells, phorbol ester binding and kinase activities of the group B enzymes were compared with the respective activities of a member of group A, PKC-gamma. Although PKC-delta and PKC-L(eta) bind phorbol ester to a similar or the same extent as PKC-gamma, they show a distinctively different behaviour towards conventional PKC substrates such as histone, myelin basic protein, protamine and protamine sulphate, suggesting either that phorbol esters are not able to fully activate these enzymes or that their substrate specificities are very different from those of the group A enzymes. PKC-zeta, a polypeptide of 80 kDa, does not bind phorbol ester and does not phosphorylate these substrates to a significant extent. Consistent with their ability to bind phorbol ester, recombinant PKC-delta and PKC-epsilon are down-regulated in COS cells by prolonged treatment with phorbol ester, whereas PKC-zeta protein levels remain unaltered.

The protein kinase C-related PKC-L(eta) gene product is localized in the cell nucleus.

The tumor promoters phorbol esters are thought to induce changes in cell growth and gene expression by direct activation of protein kinase C (PKC). However, the molecular mechanisms by which PKC molecules transduce signals into the cell nucleus are unknown. In this study, we provide evidence for a direct target for phorbol esters in the nucleus. We demonstrate that the new PKC-related family member, PKC-L, recently isolated by us, is expressed specifically in the cell nucleus. Localization of PKC-L in the cell nucleus is shown both by immunofluorescence staining and by subcellular fractionation experiments of several human cell lines, including the human epidermoid carcinoma line A431. Treatment of these cells by phorbol esters does not induce the down-regulation of PKC-L, in contrast to their effect on classical PKC family members. This is the only PKC isoenzyme described so far that resides permanently and specifically in the cell nucleus. PKC-L may function as an important link in tumor promoting, e.g., as a nuclear regulator of gene expression that changes the phosphorylation state of transcriptional components such as the AP-1 complex.