Adenosine, an endogenous distress signal, modulates tissue damage and repair.

Adenosine is formed inside cells or on their surface, mostly by breakdown of adenine nucleotides. The formation of adenosine increases in different conditions of stress and distress. Adenosine acts on four G-protein coupled receptors: two of them, A(1) and A(3), are primarily coupled to G(i) family G proteins; and two of them, A(2A) and A(2B), are mostly coupled to G(s) like G proteins. These receptors are antagonized by xanthines including caffeine. Via these receptors it affects many cells and organs, usually having a cytoprotective function. Joel Linden recently grouped these protective effects into four general modes of action: increased oxygen supply/demand ratio, preconditioning, anti-inflammatory effects and stimulation of angiogenesis. This review will briefly summarize what is known and what is not in this regard. It is argued that drugs targeting adenosine receptors might be useful adjuncts in many therapeutic approaches.

Adenosine-dopamine receptor-receptor interactions as an integrative mechanism in the basal ganglia.

Increasing evidence suggests that antagonistic interactions between specific subtypes of adenosine and dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia are involved in the motor depressant effects of adenosine receptor agonists and the motor stimulant effects of adenosine receptor antagonists, such as caffeine. The GABAergic striatopallidal neurons are regulated by interacting adenosine A2A and dopamine D2 receptors. On the other hand, the GABAergic striatonigral and striatoentopeduncular neurons seem to be regulated by interacting adenosine A1 and dopamine D1 receptors. Furthermore, behavioural studies have revealed interactions between adenosine A2A and dopamine D1 receptors that occur at the network level. These adenosine-dopamine receptor-receptor interactions might offer new therapeutic leads for basal ganglia disorders.

Distribution, biochemistry and function of striatal adenosine A2A receptors.

It is well known that the nucleoside adenosine exerts a modulatory influence in the central nervous system by activating G protein coupled receptors. Adenosine A2A receptors, the subject of the present review, are predominantly expressed in striatum, the major area of the basal ganglia. Activation of A2A receptors interferes with effects mediated by most of the principal neurotransmitters in striatum. In particular, the inhibitory interactions between adenosine acting on A2A receptors and dopamine acting on D2 receptors have been well examined and there is much evidence that A2A receptors may be a possible target for future development of drugs for treatment of Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and affective disorders. Our understanding of the role of striatal A2A receptors has increased dramatically over the last few years. New selective antibodies, antagonist radioligands and optimized in situ hybridization protocols have provided detailed information on the distribution of A2A receptors in rodent as well as primate striatum. Studies on the involvement of A2A receptors in the regulation of DARPP-32 and the expression of immediate early genes, such as nerve growth factor-induced clone A and c-fos, have pointed out an important role for these receptors in regulating striatopallidal neurotransmission. Moreover, by using novel selective antagonists for A2A receptors and transgenic mice lacking functional A2A receptors, crucial information on the behavioral role of striatal A2A receptors has been provided, especially concerning their involvement in the stimulatory action of caffeine and the anti-Parkinsonian properties of A2A receptor antagonists. In the present review, current knowledge on the distribution, biochemistry and function of striatal A2A receptors is summarized.

The stimulatory action and the development of tolerance to caffeine is associated with alterations in gene expression in specific brain regions.

We sought neurochemical correlates to the stimulatory action of caffeine in rats and to adaptations during development of tolerance. Acute intraperitoneal injections of caffeine (7.5 mg/kg) increased locomotion and NGFI-A mRNA, a marker of neuronal activity, in the hippocampal area CA1, but decreased NGFI-A mRNA in rostral striatum and nucleus accumbens. Rats that received caffeine (0.3 gm/l) in their drinking water for 14 d developed tolerance to the stimulatory effect of a challenge with caffeine (7.5 mg/kg) and responded with a less pronounced decrease of NGFI-A mRNA in rostral striatum and nucleus accumbens. Metabolism of caffeine to its active metabolites was increased in tolerant animals, but the total level of active metabolites in brain was not significantly altered. Thus, there are changes in caffeine metabolism after long-term caffeine treatment, but they cannot explain development of tolerance. Caffeine-tolerant animals had downregulated levels of adenosine A2A receptors and the corresponding mRNA in rostral parts of striatum, but an increased expression of adenosine A1 receptor mRNA in the lateral amygdala. No changes in mesencephalic tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA were found in caffeine-tolerant rats. Thus, we have identified neuronal pathways that are regulated by adenosine A1 and/or A2A receptors and are targets for the stimulatory action of caffeine. Furthermore, adaptive changes in gene expression in these brain areas were associated with the development of locomotor tolerance to caffeine.

Studies on the mechanisms by which 2-chloroadenosine stimulates bone resorption in tissue culture.

The effect of 2-chloroadenosine on bone resorption was studied in calvarial bones from 6-7-day-old mice in organ culture. 2-Chloroadenosine stimulated the mobilization of minerals (40Ca, 45Ca) and increased the degradation of matrix ([3H]proline) from the bones. The nucleoside also caused an increased release of beta-glucuronidase, a lysosomal enzyme. In doses above 30 microM 2-chloroadenosine was cytotoxic, as evidenced by an increased release of lactate dehydrogenase. 2-Chloroadenosine-stimulated resorption could be inhibited by calcitonin, increased concentration of phosphate in culture medium, cortisone, dexamethasone, indomethacin, naproxen, meclofenamic acid and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid. 2-Chloroadenosine was much more sensitive to inhibition by dexamethasone than was parathyroid hormone. The response to the maximal dose of 2-chloroadenosine could not be enhanced by parathyroid hormone, 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D-3 and prostaglandin E2. An exposure to 2-chloroadenosine for 12 h was not sufficient to produce prolonged resorption. The results suggest that 2-chloroadenosine stimulated bone resorption by a process which is dependent on osteoclastic activity. The possibility that the effect of 2-chloroadenosine, either directly or indirectly, is related to formation of prostaglandins is discussed in the light of the above data.

Isomerization of prostaglandin H2 into prostaglandin D2 in the presence of serum albumin.

The prostaglandin endoperoxide, prostaglandin H2, decomposes in aqueous media mainly into prostaglandin E2. This paper shows that in the presence of serum albumin from a number of species prostaglandin H2 decomposes mainly into prostaglandin D2, an isomer of prostaglandin E2. The effect on endoperoxide decomposition exerted by serum albumin may well have physiological significance since intace endoperoxides can be released from tissues and since the biological properties of prostaglandins E2 and D2 are quite different.

CD3-dependent increase in cyclic AMP in human T-cells following stimulation of the CD2 receptor.

We have previously shown that stimulation of the Ti/CD3 receptor complex on human T-cells potentiates adenylate cyclase activation by adenosine or forskolin. Anti-CD2 receptor antibodies shared with anti-CD3 antibodies the ability to potentiate dose dependently the adenosine- and forskolin-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation, whereas stimulation of the CD45 receptor had no effect on cyclase activity. Modulation of the CD3 complex with anti-CD3 antibodies was found to decrease the CD2 receptor effect on adenylate cyclase activity greatly. The possible involvement of CD3-stimulated phospholipase C (PLC) activation on the cAMP potentiation was examined using HPB-ALL cells that express a CD3 complex with a defect coupling to PLC. Stimulation of the CD3 complex on HPB-ALL cells had only slight effects on adenosine-stimulated cAMP formation, whereas the effect on forskolin-stimulated cAMP was virtually unchanged. The CD3 effect was further analyzed in Jurkat cell membranes. In contrast to the results obtained after stimulation of intact cells, it was found that OKT3 stimulation of membranes did not potentiate the forskolin response. Finally, we tested whether inhibition of endogenous adenylate cyclase agonist production affected the CD3 effect. Inhibition of adenosine production or adenosine breakdown with 8-p-sulphophenyl theophylline (8-PST) or adenosine deaminase (ADA), respectively, did not alter the CD3 effects. Indometacin, which inhibits prostaglandin production, also had no effect. Together, these data show that stimulation of the CD2 receptor potentiates adenylate cyclase responses by a mechanism that is dependent on CD3 expression. Furthermore, the CD3 effect on cAMP appears to be mediated by two different mechanisms, one which is, and one which is not dependent on PLC. Finally, this effect is not due to an endogenous production of adenylate cyclase agonists.

Regulation of receptor-mediated calcium influx across the plasma membrane in a human leukemic T-cell line: evidence of its dependence on an initial calcium mobilization from intracellular stores.

It has been repeatedly shown that stimulation of a human leukemic T-cell line, JURKAT, by lectins such as phytohaemagglutinin and anti-T3 antibody (OKT3) leads to an elevation in the concentration of cytosolic free Ca2. This Ca2+ transient results from both an intracellular mobilization and an influx of Ca2+ through specific membrane channels. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which receptor-mediated influx of Ca2+ is regulated in JURKAT cells, which demonstrably lack 'voltage-dependent calcium channels'. It was found that upon increased loading with quin2 or 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate (BAPTA) there was a pronounced decline of both phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated and OKT3-stimulated influx of 45Ca2+. Using 15 microM quin2/AM or 30 microM BAPTA/AM, agonist-stimulated 45Ca2+ influx was almost totally abolished. At these concentrations of both quin2/AM or BAPTA/AM, phytohaemagglutinin and OKT3 could still induce a rise of cytosolic free Ca2+ above 200 nM. In the presence of La3+ (200 microM), which completely inhibited the agonist-induced 45Ca2+ influx, both phytohaemagglutinin and OKT3 were able to raise the concentrations of cytosolic free Ca2+ to well above 200 nM by merely mobilizing Ca2+ from intracellular stores alone. The data suggest that an agonist-induced increase in the concentration of cytosolic free Ca2+, due to mobilization from intracellular stores, could either directly or indirectly, initiate receptor-mediated Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane in JURKAT cells.

Pharmacology of adenosine A2A receptors.

Adenosine A2A receptors, which have been cloned from several mammalian species, are activated by physiological concentrations of adenosine to stimulate the formation of cAMP and other mediators. The A2A receptors are found on neutrophil leukocytes, platelets, blood vessels and, very abundantly, on some cells in the CNS. In the caudate nucleus they coexist with dopamine D2 receptors, and stimulation of A2A receptors causes a decrease in D2 receptor-mediated neurotransmission. Thus, drugs that act on A2A receptors can be used to modify dopaminergic neurotransmission known to be important in neurological and psychiatric disorders. In this review, Ennio Ongini and Bertil Fredholm describe how recently developed potent and selective A2A receptor antagonists can be used to delineate the physiological and pathological processes regulated by A2A receptors. Results from in vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies strengthen the notion that A2A receptors are an interesting target for drug development.

Neuroprotective role of adenosine in cerebral ischaemia.

Several lines of evidence suggest that adenosine may be an endogenous protective agent in cerebral ischaemia. Adenosine is normally present in the extracellular fluid in most tissues of the body, including the brain, and its level increases dramatically following hypoxia or ischaemia. The rate of adenosine production is enhanced when the energy demand is larger than the rate of energy supply. Adenosine acts on specific receptors that are present in most cells in the body and that produce cellular effects that tend to antagonize a number of pathological events thought to be instrumental for ischaemic nerve cell death. Karl Rudolphi and colleagues review evidence for the neuroprotective potential of adenosine and indicate some targets for drug development.

Adenosine receptor ligands: differences with acute versus chronic treatment.

Adenosine receptors have been the target of intense research with respect to potential use of selective ligands in a variety of therapeutic areas. Caffeine and theophylline are adenosine receptor antagonists, and over the past three decades a wide range of selective agonists and antagonists for adenosine receptor subtypes have been developed. A complication to the therapeutic use of adenosine receptor ligands is the observation that the effects of acute administration of a particular ligand can be diametrically opposite to the chronic effects of the same ligand. This 'effect inversion' is discussed here by Ken Jacobson and colleagues, and has been observed for effects on cognitive processes, seizures and ischaemic damage.

Intake inhibition by NPY and CCK-8: A challenge of the notion of NPY as an "Orexigen".

We tested the hypothesis that neuropeptide Y (NPY) interacts with cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) in inhibition of intake of an intraorally infused solution of sucrose, a test of consummatory ingestive behavior. Both intracerebroventricular infusion of NPY (10 microg) and intraperitoneal injection of CCK-8 (0.5 micro/kg) reduced the intake of a 1M solution of sucrose infused intraorally at a rate of 0.5 ml/min in ovariectomized female rats, but the two peptides did not interact in inhibiting intraoral intake. By contrast, NPY increased intake if the sucrose solution was ingested from a bottle, a test demanding both appetitive and consummatory ingestive responses. CCK-8 inhibited intake in this test and its inhibitory effect was increased by simultaneous treatment with NPY. The activity in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), a brainstem relay mediating inhibition of intake, judged by the expression of c-fos-like immunoreactivity, was significantly increased after treatment with CCK-8 or NPY to approximately the same extent. Combined treatment with NPY and CCK-8 did not increase the c-fos-like immunoreactivity in the NTS above treatment with NPY or CCK-8 alone. These results strengthen the hypothesis that NPY, like CCK-8, is an inhibitor of consummatory ingestive behavior and suggest that this inhibition is mediated via the NTS.

Bradykinin inhibits cyclic AMP accumulation in D384-human astrocytoma cells via a calcium-dependent inhibition of adenylyl cyclase.

Bradykinin causes a concentration-dependent, transient rise in intracellular Ca2+ and a sustained inhibition of forskolin-, dopamine- and 5'-N-ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA)-stimulated cAMP accumulation in D384 astrocytoma cells. Chelation of intracellular calcium abolished bradykinin's inhibitory effect on cAMP accumulation. Chelating extracellular Ca2+ did not block the initial, but eliminated the sustained inhibition of cAMP accumulation. Increasing Ca2+ influx by calcium ionophore A23187 caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of stimulated cAMP accumulation. A hydroquinone derivative 2,5-di(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone (tBuBHQ), which inhibits microsomal Ca2+ sequestration, did not mimic the effect of bradykinin, although it increased [Ca2+]i even more than A23187 did. The inhibitory effect of bradykinin was not mediated by Ca2+/CaM-dependent stimulation of phosphodiesterase (PDE). Forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was inhibited by Ca2+ (10(-7) to 10(-3) M), both in ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) washed and native D384 plasma membranes. This effect was not altered by calmodulin (CaM) or CaM-antagonists. Bradykinin treatment, which attenuates cAMP accumulation in intact cells, did not do so in plasma membranes. These findings suggest that bradykinin-induced inhibition of cAMP formation in D384 cells requires mobilization of [Ca2+]i and subsequent entry of Ca2+ which directly interacts with a component of the adenylyl cyclase system.

Mitogen stimulation of T-cells increases c-Fos and c-Jun protein levels, AP-1 binding and AP-1 transcriptional activity.

We have analysed the effect of mitogenic lectins on c-Fos and c-Jun protein levels as well as on activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding and enhancer activity in Jurkat T-cells. Both c-Fos and c-Jun protein levels were increased after Con A and PHA stimulation. Since T-cell stimulation increases both intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP levels and activates protein kinase C (PKC), the possible involvement of these intracellular messengers in c-Fos and c-Jun induction was tested. PMA, which directly activates PKC, mimicked the effect of the lectins on c-Fos and c-Jun, but elevation of either intracellular Ca2+ or cAMP levels had little or no effect. The mitogen-induced increase of c-Fos and c-Jun immunoreactivity was inhibited by H-7, a kinase inhibitor with relatively high specificity for PKC, and less efficiently by H-8, a structurally related kinase inhibitor less active on PKC, but more active on cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases. Con A stimulation was found to increase both binding of AP-1 to the AP-1 consensus sequence, TRE, and AP-1 enhancer activity, in Jurkat cells. PMA was also found to increase the AP-1 enhancer activity, whereas elevation of Ca2+ or cAMP had only minor effects. We conclude that stimulation with mitogenic lectins is sufficient to increase both c-Fos and c-Jun protein levels, AP-1 binding and AP-1 enhancer activity in Jurkat cells and that they act via mechanisms that could involve the activation of PKC.

Stimulation of T-cells with OKT3 antibodies increases forskolin binding and cyclic AMP accumulation.

It has recently been shown that elevation of cAMP by adenosine receptor stimulation may be potentiated by stimulation of the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex on human T-cells with the monoclonal antibody OKT3, and that this is mimicked by activation of protein kinase C [Kvanta, A. et al. (1989) Naunyn-Schmeideberg's Arch. Pharmac. 340, 715-717]. In this study the diterpene forskolin, which binds to and activates the adenylate cyclase, has been used to examine further how the CD3 complex may influence the adenylate cyclase pathway. Stimulation with OKT3 alone was found to cause a small dose-dependent increase in basal cAMP accumulation. When combining OKT3 with a concentration of forskolin (10 microM), which by itself had little effect on the cyclase activity, the cAMP accumulation was markedly potentiated. This potentiation was paralleled by an increase in [3H]forskolin binding to saponine permeabilized Jurkat cells from 24 to 41 fmol/10(6) cells. The OKT3 effect on cAMP was blocked by chelating extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA or intracellular Ca2+ with BAPTA and also by W-7, an inhibitor of calmodulin, but was unaffected by H-7, an inhibitor of protein kinase C. Even though OKT3 caused an increase in inositolphosphate turnover, and activated protein kinase C, neither phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate (PDBu) nor the Ca2(+)-ionophore A23187 could mimic the OKT3 effect, whereas a combination of PDBu and A23187 at high concentrations could potentiate forskolin stimulated cyclase activity. Together, these results indicated that stimulation of the CD3 complex could influence the adenylate cyclase by two different mechanisms, one involving activation of protein kinase C and another which does not.

Differences between A 68930 and SKF 82958 could suggest synergistic roles of D1 and D5 receptors.

The isochroman A 68930 and the benzazepine SKF 82958 are two full dopamine D1 receptor agonists. Responses to these compounds are different in several important aspects. When given to rats in a novel environment, A 68930 caused a dose-dependent (0.019-4.9 mg/kg) suppression of locomotion. SKF 82958 had no such effect at any dose studied (0.051-3.3 mg/kg). In animals habituated to the environment, A 68930 had no effect but SKF 82958 increased locomotor activity. Both A 68930 and SKF 82958 caused a decrease in core temperature at early time points. Both agonists increased c-fos and NGFI-A expression in caudate putamen but only SKF 82958 did so in the accumbens nucleus (at 1.6 mg/kg). Quantitative receptor autoradiography showed that A 68930 is 9-13 times more potent than SKF 82958 at displacing the selective dopamine D1 antagonist [3H]SCH 23390. This difference agrees with the difference observed when the agonists were used to stimulate cAMP formation in cells transfected with the D1 receptor. In contrast, SKF 82958 was 5 times more potent than A 68930 in cells transfected with the D5 receptor. We suggest that the balance between signaling via dopamine D1 and D5 receptors determines the functional effects of agonists at D1/D5 receptors.

Profiles of intermediary metabolites in insulin-dependent pregnant diabetic women with or without endogenous insulin production.

The levels of glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB), cyclic AMP, and C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR) were determined in venous plasma samples taken every half hour during an 8-h period under standardized conditions in 10 insulin-dependent pregnant women. The metabolic profiles were determined in each trimester of pregnancy. The women were divided into two groups, one with (group I: 3B, 1C, and 1D according to White's classification) and one without (group II: 1B, 3C, and 1D) measurable plasma CPR levels. Plasma glucose values were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) with greater variability in group II than in group I in the first and second trimesters, while no such difference was found in the third trimester of pregnancy. FFA, glycerol, 3-HB, and cyclic AMP levels were not different between the groups in any trimester of pregnancy. Amniotic fluid CPR was higher and skinfold thickness of the newborn greater in group II than in group I. Neonatal complications occurred only in infants of group II mothers. It is concluded that determination of plasma CPR in diabetic women in early pregnancy could give additional prognostic information to that obtained by the White classification.

Adenosine injection into the brachial artery produces ischaemia like pain or discomfort in the forearm.

To determine whether pain or discomfort could be provoked by adenosine in skeletal muscle and, if so, whether it was dependent on the vasodilatation produced by adenosine, eight male volunteers were given intra-arterial bolus injections of adenosine and glyceryl trinitrate into the forearm. Local pain was assessed on a scale rate, forearm blood flow was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography, and blood was sampled simultaneously from the deep vein of the same arm. Five different doses of adenosine, ranging between the maximum tolerable and the lowest producing pain or discomfort, were given intra-arterially in random order and repeated in reverse order. Glyceryl trinitrate was given intra-arterially in increasing doses from 1 to 20 micrograms. Pain or discomfort began 12(1)(SEM) s after administration reached its maximum after 17(1) s, and disappeared after 40(2) s. Pain or discomfort appeared 8(1) s (p less than 0.001) after the first recorded increase in forearm blood flow, whereas maximum pain or discomfort preceded maximal forearm blood flow by 5(1) s (p less than 0.001). The flow remained increased after the disappearance of pain or discomfort. The effects of adenosine on pain or discomfort and vasodilatation were dose dependent. Glyceryl trinitrate provoked a similar increase in flow to that with adenosine without producing pain or discomfort. Arterial occlusion for 5 min at rest or forearm exercise with arterial occlusion increased forearm blood flow to the same extent as the maximum dose of adenosine. In addition, ischaemic work slightly increased the plasma concentration of adenosine. The pain or discomfort after ischaemic work was not considered different from the adenosine provoked pain or discomfort by four of the subjects. It is concluded that the symptoms did not appear to be dependent on vasodilatation and therefore adenosine may contribute to ischaemic pain or discomfort.

Bradykinin induces formation of inositol phosphates and causes an increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ in the osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1.

Recordings of fura-2 fluorescence from single osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells showed that bradykinin (BK, 1 microM) induced a rapid increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ (Cai2+, from 114 +/- 13 to 239 +/- 17 nM, mean +/- SEM). Following this initial transient (less than 1 minute) increase there was a second slow increase in Cai2+ (from 117 +/- 11 to 151 +/- 12 nM). Incubation in buffer with no Ca2+ did not affect the first rapid BK-induced increase in Cai2+ but eliminated the second slow increase. Addition of indomethacin or hydrocortisone to the incubation buffer did not inhibit the effect of BK on Cai2+. BK caused a dose-dependent initial rapid increase in Cai2+ with threshold at 1 nM and a maximal effect (241 +/- 30% of basal Cai2+ concentration) at 0.1 microM. The B1 BK receptor agonist des-Arg9-BK (1 microM) caused only a small increase in Cai2+ in MC3T3-E1 cells (from 101 +/- 20 to 140 +/- 4 nM). BK dose and time dependently stimulated the formation of inositol phosphates in MC3T3-E1 cells with EC50 at 2.4 nM and a significant increase in inositol trisphosphate already seen after 15 s. The Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin induced a rapid increase in Cai2+ and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation in MC3T3-E1 cells. Forskolin (10-30 microM) increased cyclic AMP accumulation but did not affect Cai2+ or PGE2 formation. Depletion of extracellular Ca2+ significantly reduced (but did not abolish) BK-induced PGE2 formation. The initial action of BK on Cai2+ is probably due to an inositol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate-mediated rapid release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores in osteoblasts and is followed by an influx of extracellular Ca2+. The effect is due to B2 BK receptor occupancy and is not secondary to the prostaglandin synthesis. The BK-induced breakdown of phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate with a subsequent increase in Cai2+ may be involved in BK-induced prostaglandin formation in osteoblasts.

Translocation of the alpha- and beta-isoforms of protein kinase C following activation of human T-lymphocytes.

We have analyzed how activation of human Jurkat T-cells by the mitogenic lectin, concanavalin A (Con A), may affect the cellular distribution of the alpha- and beta-isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC) in T-cells. In non-stimulated cells almost all of the alpha- and beta-PKC was localized to the cytoplasmic compartment. Stimulation with Con A caused a transient translocation of both alpha- and beta-PKC from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane. The alpha-isoform appeared to be translocated to a somewhat greater extent and for a longer period of time than the beta-form. Translocation was maximal between 1 and 5 min for both of the isoforms. 30 min after stimulation, beta-PKC had returned to basal levels, whereas a substantial amount of alpha-PKC remained associated with the particulate fraction. We conclude that activation of human T-cells causes the translocation of at least two different isoforms of PKC, alpha-PKC and beta-PKC.