A highly Ca2+-sensitive pool of granules is regulated by glucose and protein kinases in insulin-secreting INS-1 cells

We have used membrane capacitance measurements and carbon-fiber amperometry to assay exocytosis triggered by photorelease of caged Ca(2+) to directly measure the Ca(2+) sensitivity of exocytosis from the INS-1 insulin-secreting cell line. We find heterogeneity of the Ca(2+) sensitivity of release in that a small proportion of granules makes up a highly Ca(2+)-sensitive pool (HCSP), whereas the bulk of granules have a lower sensitivity to Ca(2+). A substantial HCSP remains after brief membrane depolarization, suggesting that the majority of granules with high sensitivity to Ca(2+) are not located close to Ca(2+) channels. The HCSP is enhanced in size by glucose, cAMP, and a phorbol ester, whereas the Ca(2+)-sensitive rate constant of exocytosis from the HCSP is unaffected by cAMP and phorbol ester. The effects of cAMP and phorbol ester on the HCSP are mediated by PKA and PKC, respectively, because they can be blocked with specific protein kinase inhibitors. The size of the HCSP can be enhanced by glucose even in the presence of high concentrations of phorbol ester or cAMP, suggesting that glucose can increase granule pool sizes independently of activation of PKA or PKC. The effects of PKA and PKC on the size of the HCSP are not additive, suggesting they converge on a common mechanism. Carbon-fiber amperometry was used to assay quantal exocytosis of serotonin (5-HT) from insulin-containing granules following preincubation of INS-1 cells with 5-HT and a precursor. The amount or kinetics of release of 5-HT from each granule is not significantly different between granules with higher or lower sensitivity to Ca(2+), suggesting that granules in these two pools do not differ in morphology or fusion kinetics. We conclude that glucose and second messengers can modulate insulin release triggered by a high-affinity Ca(2+) sensor that is poised to respond to modest, global elevations of [Ca(2+)](i).     

Protein kinase A- and C-induced insulin release from Ca2+ -insensitive pools

Insulin secretion is known to depend on an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). However, recent studies have suggested that insulin secretion can also be evoked in a Ca(2+)-independent manner. In the present study we show that treatment of intact mouse islets and RINm5F cells with protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or protein kinase A (PKA) activator forskolin promoted insulin secretion with no changes of [Ca(2+)](i). Moreover, insulin secretion mediated by PMA or forskolin was maintained even when extracellular or cytosolic Ca(2+) was deprived by treatment of cells with ethylene glycol bis(beta-amino ethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or 1,2-bis(2-amino phenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis(acetoxy methyl ester) (BAPTA/AM) in RINm5F cells. The secretagogue actions of PMA and forskolin were blocked by GF109203X and H89, selective inhibitors for PKC and PKA, respectively. PMA treatment caused translocation of PKC-alpha and PKC- epsilon from cytosol to membrane, implying that selectively PKC-alpha and PKC- epsilon isoforms might be important for insulin secretion. Co-treatment with high K(+) and PMA showed a comparable level of insulin secretion to that of PMA alone. In addition, PMA and forskolin evoked insulin secretion in cells where Ca(2+)-dependent insulin secretion was completed. Our data suggest that PKC and PKA can elicit insulin secretion not only in a Ca(2+)-sensitive manner but also in a Ca(2+)-independent manner from separate releasable pools.     

Phosphomimetic mutation of Ser-187 of SNAP-25 increases both syntaxin binding and highly Ca2+-sensitive exocytosis

The phosphorylation targets that mediate the enhancement of exocytosis by PKC are unknown. PKC phosporylates the SNARE protein SNAP-25 at Ser-187. We expressed mutants of SNAP-25 using the Semliki Forest Virus system in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells and then directly measured the Ca2+ dependence of exocytosis using photorelease of caged Ca2+ together with patch-clamp capacitance measurements. A flash of UV light used to elevate [Ca2+](i) to several microM and release the highly Ca2+-sensitive pool (HCSP) of vesicles was followed by a train of depolarizing pulses to elicit exocytosis from the less Ca2+-sensitive readily releasable pool (RRP) of vesicles. Carbon fiber amperometry confirmed that the amount and kinetics of catecholamine release from individual granules were similar for the two phases of exocytosis. Mimicking PKC phosphorylation with expression of the S187E SNAP-25 mutant resulted in an approximately threefold increase in the HCSP, whereas the response to depolarization increased only 1.5-fold. The phosphomimetic S187D mutation resulted in an approximately 1.5-fold increase in the HCSP but a 30% smaller response to depolarization. In vitro binding assays with recombinant SNARE proteins were performed to examine shifts in protein-protein binding that may promote the highly Ca2+-sensitive state. The S187E mutant exhibited increased binding to syntaxin but decreased Ca2+-independent binding to synaptotagmin I. Mimicking phosphorylation of the putative PKA phosphorylation site of SNAP-25 with the T138E mutation decreased binding to both syntaxin and synaptotagmin I in vitro. Expressing the T138E/ S187E double mutant in chromaffin cells demonstrated that enhancing the size of the HCSP correlates with an increase in SNAP-25 binding to syntaxin in vitro, but not with Ca2+-independent binding of SNAP-25 to synaptotagmin I. Our results support the hypothesis that exocytosis triggered by lower Ca2+ concentrations (from the HCSP) occurs by different molecular mechanisms than exocytosis triggered by higher Ca2+ levels.     

Heterogeneity of the Ca2+ sensitivity of secretion in a pituitary gonadotrope cell line and its modulation by protein kinase C and Ca2+

Modulation of the Ca2+ sensitivity and cooperativity of secretion is an important means of regulating neurotransmission and hormone secretion. Employing high-time resolution measurement of membrane capacitance (Cm) stimulated by step-like or ramp [Ca2+]i elevation, we have identified the co-existence of both a high and low Ca2+-sensitive exocytosis in an immortal pituitary gonadotrope cell line, LbetaT2. Ramp [Ca2+]i generated by slow uncaging elicited a biphasic C(m) response. The first phase of response, which represents a highly Ca2+-sensitive pool (HCSP) of vesicles, began to secrete at low [Ca2+]i concentration (<1 microM) with low Ca2+ cooperativity. In contrast, the second phase, which represents a lowly Ca2+-sensitive pool (LCSP) of vesicles, only exocytozed at higher [Ca2+]i (>5 microM) and displayed a steep Ca2+ cooperativity. The co-existence of vesicle populations with different Ca2+ sensitivities was further confirmed by flash photolysis stimuli. The size of the HCSP was approximately 30 fF under resting conditions, but was dramatically increased (approximately threefold) by application of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA, an activator of protein kinase C). Forskolin (an activator of protein kinase A), however, exerted no significant effect on the size of both HCSP and LCSP. GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) augmented the size of both pools to a larger extent (5- and 1.7-fold increase for HCSP and LCSP, respectively). The heterogeneity of Ca2+ sensitivity from different pools of vesicles and its differential modulation by intracellular signals suggests that LbetaT2 cells are an ideal model to further unravel the mechanism underlying the modulation of Ca2+-sensing machineries for exocytosis.     

Protein kinase C-dependent and -independent inhibition of Ca(2+) influx by phorbol ester in rat pancreatic beta-cells

Phorbol esters were used to investigate the action of protein kinase C (PKC) on insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells. Application of 80 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a PKC-activating phorbol ester, had little effect on glucose (15 mM)-induced insulin secretion from intact rat islets. In islets treated with bisindolylmaleimide (BIM), a PKC inhibitor, PMA significantly reduced the glucose-induced insulin secretion. PMA decreased the level of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) elevated by the glucose stimulation when tested in isolated rat beta-cells. This inhibitory effect of PMA was not prevented by BIM. PMA inhibited glucose-induced action potentials, and this effect was not prevented by BIM. Further, 4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4alpha-PDD), a non-PKC-activating phorbol ester, produced an effect similar to PMA. In the presence of nifedipine, the glucose stimulation produced only depolarization, and PMA applied on top of glucose repolarized the cell. When applied at the resting state, PMA hyperpolarized beta-cells with an increase in the membrane conductance. Recorded under the voltage-clamp condition, PMA reduced the magnitude of Ca(2+) currents through L-type Ca(2+) channels. BIM prevented the PMA inhibition of the Ca(2+) currents. These results suggest that activation of PKC maintains glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells, defeating its own inhibition of the Ca(2+) influx through L-type Ca(2+) channels. PKC-independent inhibition of electrical excitability by phorbol esters was also demonstrated.     

Stimulation of Cell Elongation in Teleost Rod Photoreceptors by Distinct Protein Kinase Inhibitors

Abstract: The rod photoreceptors of teleost retinas elongate in the light. To characterize the role of protein kinases in elongation, pharmacological studies were carried out with rod fragments consisting of the motile inner segment and photosensory outer segment (RIS-ROS). Isolated RIS-ROS were cultured in the presence of membrane-permeant inhibitors that exhibit selective activity toward specific serine/threonine protein kinases. We report that three distinct classes of protein kinase inhibitors stimulated elongation in darkness: (1) cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-selective inhibitors (H-89 and KT5720), (2) a protein kinase C (PKC)-selective inhibitor (GF 109203X) that affects most PKC isoforms, and (3) a kinase inhibitor (H-85) that does not affect PKC and PKA in vitro. Other kinase inhibitors tested neither stimulated elongation in darkness nor inhibited light-induced elongation; these include the myosin light chain kinase inhibitors ML-7 and ML-9, the calcium-calmodulin kinase II inhibitor KN-62, and inhibitors or activators of diacylglycerol-dependent PKCs (sphingosine, calphostin C, chelerythrine, and phorbol esters). The myosin light chain kinase inhibitors as well as the PKA and PKC inhibitors H-89 and GF 109203X all enhanced light-induced elongation. These observations suggest that light-induced RIS-ROS elongation is inhibited by both PKA and an unidentified kinase or kinases, possibly a diacylglycerol-independent form of PKC.     

PLC gamma 1, a possible mediator of T cell receptor function

Stimulation of T cell antigen receptor (TCR/CD3) following the recognition of peptide-major histocompatibility antigen complex induces phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis. However, the phospholipase C (PLC) enzyme mediating this process has not been identified. We report that PLC gamma 1 protein is expressed in human T cells. It is a phosphoprotein, and the activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) or of protein kinase C (PKC) with forskolin or phorbol ester, respectively, increases the level of phosphorylation. CD3 stimulation of T cells induces tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma 1 and causes 8-10-fold higher yield of PLC activity with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (APTyr Ab) from activated cells than from non-activated cells. Genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase, decreases this yield of AP-Tyr Ab-bound PLC activity from activated cells and lowers the level of Ca2+ mobilization. Furthermore, phorbol ester and forskolin treatment of cells before CD3 stimulation reduces the level of tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma 1 and the PLC activity associated with APTyr Ab. These results suggest that CD3 stimulation activates PIP2 hydrolysis by inducing tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma 1, which is regulated negatively by PKC and PKA.     

Multiple protein kinase pathways are involved in gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-regulated secretion.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and its amphibian homolog, bombesin, are potent secretogogues in mammals. We determined the roles of intracellular free Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)), protein kinase C (PKC), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in GRP receptor (GRP-R)-regulated secretion. Bombesin induced either [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations or a biphasic elevation in [Ca(2+)](i). The biphasic response was associated with peptide secretion. Receptor-activated secretion was blocked by removal of extracellular Ca(2+), by chelation of [Ca(2+)](i), and by treatment with inhibitors of phospholipase C, conventional PKC isozymes, and MAPK kinase (MEK). Agonist-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i) were also inhibited by dominant negative MEK-1 and the MEK inhibitor, PD89059, but not by an inhibitor of PKC. Direct activation of PKC by a phorbol ester activated MAPK and stimulated peptide secretion without a concomitant increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Inhibition of MEK blocked both bombesin- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced secretion. GRP-R-regulated secretion is initiated by an increase in [Ca(2+)](i); however, elevated [Ca(2+)](i) is insufficient to stimulate secretion in the absence of activation of PKC and the downstream MEK/MAPK pathways. We demonstrated that the activity of MEK is important for maintaining elevated [Ca(2+)](i) levels induced by GRP-R activation, suggesting that MEK may affect receptor-regulated secretion by modulating the activity of Ca(2+)-sensitive PKC.     

Regulation of exocytosis by protein kinases and Ca(2+) in pancreatic duct epithelial cells

We asked if the mechanisms of exocytosis and its regulation in epithelial cells share features with those in excitable cells. Cultured dog pancreatic duct epithelial cells were loaded with an oxidizable neurotransmitter, dopamine or serotonin, and the subsequent release of these exogenous molecules during exocytosis was detected by carbon-fiber amperometry. Loaded cells displayed spontaneous exocytosis that may represent constitutive membrane transport. The quantal amperometric events induced by fusion of single vesicles had a rapid onset and decay, resembling those in adrenal chromaffin cells and serotonin-secreting leech neurons. Quantal events were frequently preceded by a "foot," assumed to be leak of transmitters through a transient fusion pore, suggesting that those cell types share a common fusion mechanism. As in neurons and endocrine cells, exocytosis in the epithelial cells could be evoked by elevating cytoplasmic Ca(2+) using ionomycin. Unlike in neurons, hyperosmotic solutions decreased exocytosis in the epithelial cells, and giant amperometric events composed of many concurrent quantal events were observed occasionally. Agents known to increase intracellular cAMP in the cells, such as forskolin, epinephrine, vasoactive intestinal peptide, or 8-Br-cAMP, increased the rate of exocytosis. The forskolin effect was inhibited by the Rp-isomer of cAMPS, a specific antagonist of protein kinase A, whereas the Sp-isomer, a specific agonist of PKA, evoked exocytosis. Thus, PKA is a downstream effector of cAMP. Finally, activation of protein kinase C by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate also increased exocytosis. The PMA effect was not mimicked by the inactive analogue, 4alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, and it was blocked by the PKC antagonist, bisindolylmaleimide I. Elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) was not needed for the actions of forskolin or PMA. In summary, exocytosis in epithelial cells can be stimulated directly by Ca(2+), PKA, or PKC, and is mediated by physical mechanisms similar to those in neurons and endocrine cells.     

Activation of protein kinase C is not required for exocytosis from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. The effects of protein kinase C(19-31), Ca/CaM kinase II(291-317), and staurosporine

We examined whether protein kinase C activation plays a modulatory or an obligatory role in exocytosis of catecholamines from chromaffin cells by using PKC(19-31) (a protein kinase C pseudosubstrate inhibitory peptide), Ca/CaM kinase II(291-317) (a calmodulin-binding peptide), and staurosporine. In permeabilized cells, PKC (19-31) inhibited the phorbol ester-mediated enhancement of Ca2(+)-dependent secretion as much as 90% but had no effect on Ca2(+)-dependent secretion in the absence of phorbol ester. The inhibition of the phorbol ester-induced enhancement of secretion by PKC (19-31) was correlated closely with the ability of the peptide to inhibit in situ phorbol ester-stimulated protein kinase C activity. PKC(19-31) also blocked 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced phosphorylation of numerous endogenous proteins in permeabilized cells but had no effect on Ca2(+)-stimulated phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase. Ca/CaM kinase II(291-317), derived from the calmodulin binding region of Ca/calmodulin kinase II, had no effect on Ca2(+)-dependent secretion in the presence or absence of phorbol ester. The peptide completely blocked the Ca2(+)-dependent increase in tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation but had no effect on TPA-induced phosphorylation of endogenous proteins in permeabilized cells. To determine whether a long-lived protein kinase C substrate might be required for secretion, the lipophilic protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine, was added to intact cells for 30 min before permeabilizing and measuring secretion. Staurosporine strongly inhibited the phorbol ester-mediated enhancement of Ca2(+)-dependent secretion. It caused a small inhibition of Ca2(+)-dependent secretion in the absence of phorbol ester which could not be readily attributed to inhibition of protein kinase C. Staurosporine also inhibited the phorbol ester-mediated enhancement of elevated K(+)-induced secretion from intact cells while it enhanced 45Ca2+ uptake. Staurosporine inhibited to a small extent secretion stimulated by elevated K+ in the absence of TPA. The data indicate that activation of protein kinase C is modulatory but not obligatory in the exocytotoxic pathway.     

Co-activation of PKA and PKC in cerebrocortical nerve terminals synergistically facilitates glutamate release

Protein kinase A and protein kinase C are involved in processes that enhance glutamate release at glutamatergic nerve terminals. However, it is not known whether these two kinases co-exist within the same nerve terminal, nor is it clear what impact their simultaneous activation may have on neurotransmitter release. In cerebrocortical nerve terminals, co-application of forskolin, which increases cAMP levels and activates protein kinase A, and 4beta-phorbol dibutyrate, a direct activator of protein kinase C, synergistically enhanced the spontaneous release of glutamate. This enhancement exhibited both tetrodotoxin-sensitive and tetrodotoxin-resistant components. Interestingly, the tetrodotoxin-resistant component of release was not observed when cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC) were activated separately, but developed slowly after the co-activation of the two kinases, accounting for 50% of the facilitated release. This release component was dependent on voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels that opened spontaneously after PKA and PKC activation and occurred in the absence of Na+ channel firing. These data provide functional evidence for the co-existence of PKA- and PKC-signalling pathways in a subpopulation of glutamatergic nerve terminals.     

Regulation of calcium-dependent [3H]noradrenaline release from rat cerebrocortical synaptosomes by protein kinase C and modulation of the actin cytoskeleton.

The effects that active phorbol esters, staurosporine, and changes in actin dynamics, might have on Ca2+ -dependent exocytosis of [3H]-labelled noradrenaline, induced by either membrane-depolarizing agents or a Ca2+ ionophore, have been examined in isolated nerve terminals in vitro. Depolarization-induced openings of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels with 30 mM KCl or 1 mM 4-aminopyridine induced limited exocytosis of [3H]noradrenaline, presumably from a readily releasable vesicle pool. Application of the Ca2+ ionophore calcimycin (10 microM) induced more extensive [3H]noradrenaline release, presumably from intracellular reserve vesicles. Stimulation of protein kinase C with phorbol 12-myristate,13-acetate increased release evoked by all secretagogues. Staurosporine (1 microM) had no effect on depolarization-induced release, but decreased ionophore-induced release and reversed all effects of the phorbol ester. When release was induced by depolarization, internalization of the actin-destabilizing agent DNAase I into the synaptosomes gave a slight increase in [3H]NA release and strongly increased the potentiating effect of the phorbol ester. In contrast, when release was induced by the Ca2+ ionophore, DNAase I had no effect, either in the absence or presence of phorbol ester. The results indicate that depolarization of noradrenergic rat synaptosomes induces Ca2+ -dependent release from a releasable pool of staurosporine-insensitive vesicles. Activation of protein kinase C increases this release by staurosporine-sensitive mechanisms, and destabilization of the actin cytoskeleton further increases this effect of protein kinase C. In contrast, ionophore-induced noradrenaline release originates from a pool of staurosporine-sensitive vesicles, and although activation of protein kinase C increases release from this pool, DNAase I has no effect and also does not change the effect of protein kinase C. The results support the existence of two functionally distinct pools of secretory vesicles in noradrenergic CNS nerve terminals, which are regulated in distinct ways by protein kinase C and the actin cytoskeleton.     

Ca2+/calmodulin mediated pathways regulate the uptake of L-DOPA in mouse neuroblastoma neuro 2A cells

The present study examined the involvement of protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase G (PKG), protein kinase C (PKC), protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) and Ca2+/calmodulin mediated pathways on the uptake of L-DOPA through the L-type amino acid transporter in Neuro 2A cells, an in vitro model of neuronal cells. Non-linear analysis of the saturation curve for L-DOPA revealed a Km value (in microM) of 54+/-2 and a Vmax value (in nmol mg protein/6 min) of 34+/-1. L-DOPA uptake was a sodium-independent process and insensitive to N-(methylamino)-isobutyric acid (MeAIB, 1 mM), but sensitive to 2-aminobicyclo(2,2,1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BHC, IC50=82 microM). The Ca2+/calmodulin inhibitors calmidazolium and trifluoperazine inhibited L-DOPA (2.5 microM) uptake with IC50's of 33 and 105 microM, respectively. The inhibitory effect of BHC on the accumulation of L-DOPA was of the competitive type, whereas that of calmidazolium and trifluoperazine was of the non-competitive type. Modulators of PKA (cyclic AMP, forskolin, isobutylmethylxanthine and cholera toxin), PKG (cyclic GMP, zaprinast, LY 83583 and sodium nitroprusside), PKC (phorbol 12,13-dibutirate, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and chelerythrine) and PTK (genistein and tyrphostin 25) failed to affect the accumulation of a non-saturating (2.5 microM) concentration of L-DOPA. It is concluded that L-DOPA uptake in Neuro 2A cells is promoted through the L-type amino acid transporter and appears to be under the control of Ca2+/calmodulin mediated pathways.     

Thyrotropin stimulates progesterone secretion by luteal cells by activation of the cAMP/protein kinase A signaling system: a potential involvement of protein kinase C

Although the corpus luteum (CL) is not known as a target tissue for thyrotropin (TSH), this hormone increases progesterone production by porcine luteal cells cultured in vitro. In this study we investigated the optimal conditions for TSH-stimulated progesterone secretion as well as the involvement of protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) in the mechanism of TSH action on porcine luteal cells. To study the PKA and PKC signaling mechanisms, luteal cells collected from mature CL were incubated with the inhibitor of PKA and potent activators of both kinases: PKA-forskolin and PKC-phorbol ester 12-myriistate-13-acetate (PMA). The PKA inhibitor totally suppressed progesterone production in TSH alone, forskolin alone and in TSH plus forskolin-stimulated luteal cells. Forskolin increased basal (P < 0.05) and TSH-stimulated (P < 0.05) progesterone secretion and cAMP accumulation (P < 0.05). Forskolin and PMA added together to control (non-TSH-treated) luteal cells had an additive effect on progesterone production. In TSH-treated cells, the effect of PMA was statistically significant but did not show an additive effect with forskolin. Further PMA did not affect cAMP accumulation in control and TSH-treated luteal cells. Treatment of control and TSH-treated luteal cells with forskolin and PMA together showed the same increase in cAMP accumulation as with forskolin alone. This is the first demonstration that TSH acts on luteal cell steroidogenesis by activation of the cAMP/PKA second messenger system and also that the PKC signaling pathway may be involved in luteal TSH action on the corpus luteum.     

Cellular signals regulating the release of ANF.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), a peptide hormone that regulates salt and water balance and blood pressure, is synthesized, stored, and secreted from mammalian myocytes. Stretching of atrial myocytes stimulates ANF secretion, but the cellular processes involved in linking mechanical distension to ANF release are unknown. We reported that phorbol esters, which mimic the action of diacylglycerol by acting directly on protein kinase C and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, which introduces free Ca2+ into the cell, both increase basal ANF secretion in the isolated perfused rat heart. Phorbol ester also increased responsiveness to Ca2+ channel agonists, such as Bay k8644, and to agents that increase cAMP, such as forskolin and membrane-permeable cAMP analogs. In neonatal cultured rat atrial myocytes, protein kinase C activation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate stimulated ANF secretion, whereas the release was unresponsive to changes in intracellular Ca2+. Endothelin, which stimulates phospholipase C mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and activates protein kinase C, increased both basal and atrial stretch-induced ANF secretion from isolated perfused rat hearts. Similarly, phorbol ester enhanced atrial stretch-stimulated ANF secretion, while the increase in intracellular Ca2+ appeared to be negatively coupled to the stretch-induced ANF release. Finally, phorbol ester stimulated ANF release from the severely hypertrophied ventricles of hypertensive animals but not from normal rat myocardium. These results suggest that the protein kinase C activity may play an important role in the regulation of basal ANF secretion both from atria and ventricular cells, and that stretch of atrial myocytes appears to be positively modulated by phorbol esters.     

Physiologic activation of protein kinase C limits IL-2 secretion

Interaction of Ag, antibodies against the T cell receptor complex, or mitogenic lectins with T lymphocytes induces hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids leading to the production of diacylglycerol (DAG). DAG then activates the Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent phosphotransferase, protein kinase C (PKC). Increases in DAG concentrations are transient as is the increase in PKC activity. Phorbol esters, which induce potent, prolonged activation of PKC, augment many T lymphocyte responses, including cell proliferation and secretion of the T cell growth factor IL-2. Therefore, it has been suggested that activation of PKC is a positive regulatory signal in T lymphocytes. We have determined the consequences of transient stimulation of PKC, and of depletion of PKC, on early cell activation signals and on production of IL-2 by the murine lymphoma line LBRM 331A5. When this cell line is depleted of PKC overnight incubation in high concentrations of phorbol esters, lectin-induced IL-2 secretion is augmented. Similarly, mitogen-induced changes in [Ca2+]i and phosphoinositide metabolism were augmented in these cells. In contrast, a short preactivation of PKC abrogated these early transmembrane signaling events. This suggested that normal physiologic activation of PKC may limit cell activation and decrease IL-2 production. We compared the effects of phorbol esters and mezerein, which produce prolonged activation of PKC, with those of diacylglycerol analogs, which induce transient activation of PKC. At concentrations that give similar levels of PKC activation, phorbol esters and mezerein, but not DAG analogs, increased IL-2 secretion. This suggests that prolonged, nonphysiologic activation of PKC is required to augment IL-2 secretion. Therefore, physiologic activation of PKC may not augment T cell activation but instead may function to decrease cell activation and limit IL-2 secretion.     

Contribution of protein kinase A and protein kinase C signalling pathways to the regulation of HSD11B2 expression and proliferation of MCF-7 cells

Contribution of the protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) signalling pathways to the regulation of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (HSD11B2) gene expression was investigated in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Treatment of the cells with an adenylyl cyclase activator, forskolin, known to stimulate the PKA pathway, resulted in an increase in HSD11B2 mRNA content. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed attenuation of the effect of forskolin by phorbol ester, tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), an activator of the PKC pathway. It was also demonstrated that specific inhibitors significantly reduced the effect of activators of the two pathways. Stimulation of the PKA pathway did not affect, whereas stimulation of the PKC pathway significantly reduced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a time-dependent manner. A cell growth inhibitor, dexamethasone, at high concentrations, caused a 40% decrease in proliferation of MCF-7 cells and this effect was abolished under conditions of increased HSD11B2 expression. It was concluded that in MCF-7 cells, stimulation of the PKA signal transduction pathway results in the induction of HSD11B2 expression and that this effect is markedly reduced by activation of the PKC pathway. Activation of the PKC pathway also resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation, while activation of the PKA pathway abolished the antiproliferative effect of dexamethasone. These effects might be due to oxidation of dexamethasone by the PKA-inducible HSD11B2.     

The cyclic AMP-protein kinase A pathway restrains islet phospholipase A(2) activation

Although phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) is of importance for insulin secretion, it is not established how it relates to other signalling mechanisms. This study examined the crosstalk between PLA(2) and the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway in isolated rat islets. Forskolin, IBMX, and dbcAMP reduced [(3)H]arachidonic acid ([(3)H]AA) efflux from prelabelled islets during PLA(2) activation by mellitin or cholecystokinin (CCK-8), while efflux induced by carbachol was unaffected. The PKA inhibitor myrPKI(14-22) prevented this reduction of CCK-8-induced efflux. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) diminished CCK-8-induced efflux. Also in the absence of Ca(2+), forskolin/IBMX and dbcAMP reduced CCK-8-induced efflux. In parallel with effects on [(3)H]AA, the expected additive insulin secretion induced by mellitin or CCK-8 in combination with forskolin or GLP-1, respectively, was reduced. In conclusion, the cAMP-PKA pathway restrains both Ca(2+)-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent PLA(2) activation, indicating a regulating crosstalk between these two pathways.