Mapping Cellular Routes of Ras: A Ubiquitin Trail

The three mammalian Ras isoforms: HRas, NRas and KRas have been widely implicated in the control of cell proliferation, survival, motility and transformation. Although nearly identical with respect to their catalytic and effector-binding properties, HRas, NRas and KRas lead to different biological outcomes in development, cell growth and cancer. This functional distinction is believed to result at least in part from the differential membrane compartmentalization of Ras isoforms. The different distribution of Ras proteins in cellular membranes dictates unique spatio-temporal patterns of activation of effector pathways. This perspective focuses on the factors that control membrane compartmentalization of Ras with an emphasis on a recently discovered novel posttranslational modification of Ras—ubiquitination. The properties of Ras ubiquitination, its contribution to the regulation of Ras intracellular trafficking and finally the influence of Ras ubiquitination on its signaling potential are discussed.     

GLUT8 contains a [DE]XXXL[LI] sorting motif and localizes to a late endosomal/lysosomal compartment

Glucose transporter 8 (GLUT8) contains a cytoplasmic N-terminal dileucine motif and localizes to a thus far unidentified intracellular compartment. Translocation of GLUT8 to the plasma membrane (PM) was found in insulin-treated mouse blastocysts. Using overexpression of GLUT8 in adipocytes and neuronal cells however, insulin treatment or depolarization of the cells did not lead to GLUT8 PM translocation in other studies. In addition, other experiments showing dynamin-dependent endocytosis of GLUT8 suggested that GLUT8 recycles between an endosomal compartment and the PM. To reveal the functional/physiological role of GLUT8, we studied its subcellular localization in 3T3L1, HEK293 and CHO cells. We show that GLUT8 does not co-localize with GLUT4 and does not redistribute to the PM after treatment with insulin, ionophores or okadaic acid in these cell lines. Once endocytosed, GLUT8 does not recycle to the PM. GLUT8 localizes to late endosomes and lysosomes. An interspecies GLUT8 - sequence alignment revealed the presence of a highly conserved late endosomal/lysosomal-targeting motif ([DE]XXXL[LI]). Changing the glutamate to arginine as found in GLUT4 (RRXXXLL) alters GLUT8 endocytosis and retains the transporter at the PM. Furthermore, sorting GLUT8 to late endosomes/lysosomes does not require prior presence of GLUT8 at the PM followed by its endocytosis. In summary, GLUT8 does not reside in a recycling vesicle pool and is distinct from GLUT4. From our data, we postulate a role for GLUT8 in transport of hexoses across intracellular membranes, for example in specific compartments of GLUT8 expression such as the acrosome of mature spermatozoa or secretory granules in neurons. Furthermore, a role for GLUT8 in hexose transport across the lysosomal membrane, a transport mechanism that has long been suggested but unexplained, is discussed.     

Differential modification of Ras proteins by ubiquitination

Ras proteins are essential components of signal transduction pathways that control cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. It is well recognized that the functional versatility of Ras proteins is accomplished through their differential compartmentalization, but the mechanisms that control their spatial segregation are not fully understood. Here we show that HRas is subject to ubiquitin conjugation, whereas KRas is refractory to this modification. The membrane-anchoring domain of HRas is necessary and sufficient to direct the mono- and diubiquitination of HRas. Ubiquitin attachment to HRas stabilizes its association with endosomes and modulates its ability to activate the Raf/MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, differential ubiquitination of Ras proteins may control their location-specific signaling activities.     

Calcium-dependent modulation and plasma membrane targeting of the AKT2 potassium channel by the CBL4/CIPK6 calcium sensor/protein kinase complex

Potassium (K(+)) channel function is fundamental to many physiological processes. However, components and mechanisms regulating the activity of plant K(+) channels remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the calcium (Ca(2+)) sensor CBL4 together with the interacting protein kinase CIPK6 modulates the activity and plasma membrane (PM) targeting of the K(+) channel AKT2 from Arabidopsis thaliana by mediating translocation of AKT2 to the PM in plant cells and enhancing AKT2 activity in oocytes. Accordingly, akt2, cbl4 and cipk6 mutants share similar developmental and delayed flowering phenotypes. Moreover, the isolated regulatory C-terminal domain of CIPK6 is sufficient for mediating CBL4- and Ca(2+)-dependent channel translocation from the endoplasmic reticulum membrane to the PM by a novel targeting pathway that is dependent on dual lipid modifications of CBL4 by myristoylation and palmitoylation. Thus, we describe a critical mechanism of ion-channel regulation where a Ca(2+) sensor modulates K(+) channel activity by promoting a kinase interaction-dependent but phosphorylation-independent translocation of the channel to the PM.     

Ca(2+)-induced recruitment of the secretory vesicle protein DOC2B to the target membrane

Ca(2+)-dependent fusion of transport vesicles at their target can be enhanced by intracellular Ca2+ and diacylglycerol. Diacylglycerol induces translocation of the vesicle priming factor Munc13 and association of the secretory vesicle protein DOC2B to the membrane. Here we demonstrate that a rise in intracellular Ca2+ is sufficient for a Munc13-independent recruitment of DOC2B to the target membrane. This novel mechanism occurred readily in the absence of Munc13 and was not influenced by DOC2B mutations that abolish Munc13 binding. Purified DOC2B (expressed as a bacterial fusion protein) bound phospholipids in a Ca(2+)-dependent way, suggesting that the translocation is the result of a C2 domain activation mechanism. Ca(2+)-induced translocation was also observed in cultured neurons expressing DOC2B-enhanced green fluorescent protein. In this case, however, various degrees of membrane association occurred under resting conditions, suggesting that physiological Ca2+ concentrations modulate DOC2B localization. Depolarization of the neurons induced a complete translocation of DOC2B-enhanced green fluorescent protein to the target membrane within 5 s. We hypothesize that this novel Ca(2+)-induced activity of DOC2B functions synergistically with diacylglycerol-induced Munc13 binding to enhance exocytosis during episodes of high secretory activity.     

PAQR10 and PAQR11 mediate Ras signaling in the Golgi apparatus

Ras plays a pivotal role in many cellular activities, and its subcellular compartmentalization provides spatial and temporal selectivity. Here we report a mode of spatial regulation of Ras signaling in the Golgi apparatus by two highly homologous proteins PAQR10 and PAQR11 of the progestin and AdipoQ receptors family. PAQR10 and PAQR11 are exclusively localized in the Golgi apparatus. Overexpression of PAQR10/PAQR11 stimulates basal and EGF-induced ERK phosphorylation and increases the expression of ERK target genes in a dose-dependent manner. Overexpression of PAQR10/PAQR11 markedly elevates Golgi localization of HRas, NRas and KRas4A, but not KRas4B. PAQR10 and PAQR11 can also interact with HRas, NRas and KRas4A, but not KRas4B. The increased Ras protein at the Golgi apparatus by overexpression of PAQR10/PAQR11 is in an active state. Consistently, knockdown of PAQR10 and PAQR11 reduces EGF-stimulated ERK phosphorylation and Ras activation at the Golgi apparatus. Intriguingly, PAQR10 and PAQR11 are able to interact with RasGRP1, a guanine nucleotide exchange protein of Ras, and increase Golgi localization of RasGRP1. The C1 domain of RasGRP1 is both necessary and sufficient for the interaction of RasGRP1 with PAQR10/PAQR11. The simulation of ERK phosphorylation by overexpressed PAQR10/PAQR11 is abrogated by downregulation of RasGRP1. Furthermore, differentiation of PC12 cells is significantly enhanced by overexpression of PAQR10/PAQR11. Collectively, this study uncovers a new paradigm of spatial regulation of Ras signaling in the Golgi apparatus by PAQR10 and PAQR11.     

Involvement of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and PTEN protein in mechanism of activation of TRPC6 protein in vascular smooth muscle cells

TRPC6 is a cation channel in the plasma membrane that plays a role in Ca(2+) entry after the stimulation of a G(q)-protein-coupled or tyrosine-kinase receptor. TRPC6 translocates to the plasma membrane upon stimulation and remains there as long as the stimulus is present. However, the mechanism that regulates the trafficking and activation of TRPC6 are unclear. In this study we showed phosphoinositide 3-kinase and its antagonistic phosphatase, PTEN, are involved in the activation of TRPC6. The inhibition of PI3K by PIK-93, LY294002, or wortmannin decreased carbachol-induced translocation of TRPC6 to the plasma membrane and carbachol-induced net Ca(2+) entry into T6.11 cells. Conversely, a reduction of PTEN expression did not affect carbachol-induced externalization of TRPC6 but increased Ca(2+) entry through TRPC6 in T6.11 cells. We also showed that the PI3K/PTEN pathway regulates vasopressin-induced translocation of TRPC6 to the plasma membrane and vasopressin-induced Ca(2+) entry into A7r5 cells, which endogenously express TRPC6. In summary, we provided evidence that the PI3K/PTEN pathway plays an important role in the translocation of TRPC6 to the plasma membrane and may thus have a significant impact on Ca(2+) signaling in cells that endogenously express TRPC6.     

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and Arf6-regulated membrane traffic

ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) 6 regulates the movement of membrane between the plasma membrane (PM) and a nonclathrin-derived endosomal compartment and activates phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP 5-kinase), an enzyme that generates phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Here, we show that PIP2 visualized by expressing a fusion protein of the pleckstrin homology domain from PLCdelta and green fluorescent protein (PH-GFP), colocalized with Arf6 at the PM and on tubular endosomal structures. Activation of Arf6 by expression of its exchange factor EFA6 stimulated protrusion formation, the uptake of PM into macropinosomes enriched in PIP2, and recycling of this membrane back to the PM. By contrast, expression of Arf6 Q67L, a GTP hydrolysis-resistant mutant, induced the formation of PIP2-positive actin-coated vacuoles that were unable to recycle membrane back to the PM. PM proteins, such as beta1-integrin, plakoglobin, and major histocompatibility complex class I, that normally traffic through the Arf6 endosomal compartment became trapped in this vacuolar compartment. Overexpression of human PIP 5-kinase alpha mimicked the effects seen with Arf6 Q67L. These results demonstrate that PIP 5-kinase activity and PIP2 turnover controlled by activation and inactivation of Arf6 is critical for trafficking through the Arf6 PM-endosomal recycling pathway.     

Phospholipid/Ca2+-dependent protein kinase activity in human parathyroid adenoma

We have examined the activities of phospholipid/Ca2+-dependent and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases of the parathyroid adenomas and the atrophic glands which were resected from three patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Phospholipid/Ca2+-dependent protein kinase activity of atrophic parathyroid gland was exclusively present in cytosol fraction (90.7 +/- 12.3%). On the other hand, phospholipid/Ca2+-dependent protein kinase activity of parathyroid adenomas was 66.9 +/- 6.4% in cytosol and 33.1 +/- 6.4% in membrane fraction, suggesting a translocation of the enzyme from the cytosol to the membranes. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity appeared to be higher in parathyroid adenoma than in atrophic parathyroid gland in both cytosol and membrane fractions.     

Small G Proteins Rac1 and Ras Regulate Serine/Threonine Protein Phosphatase 5 (PP5)·Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) Complexes Involved in the Feedback Regulation of Raf1

Serine/threonine protein phosphatase 5 (PP5, PPP5C) is known to interact with the chaperonin heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and is involved in the regulation of multiple cellular signaling cascades that control diverse cellular processes, such as cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, motility, and apoptosis. Here, we identify PP5 in stable complexes with extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs). Studies using mutant proteins reveal that the formation of PP5·ERK1 and PP5·ERK2 complexes partially depends on HSP90 binding to PP5 but does not require PP5 or ERK1/2 activity. However, PP5 and ERK activity regulates the phosphorylation state of Raf1 kinase, an upstream activator of ERK signaling. Whereas expression of constitutively active Rac1 promotes the assembly of PP5·ERK1/2 complexes, acute activation of ERK1/2 fails to influence the phosphatase-kinase interaction. Introduction of oncogenic HRas (HRas^V12) has no effect on PP5-ERK1 binding but selectively decreases the interaction of PP5 with ERK2, in a manner that is independent of PP5 and MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) activity, yet paradoxically requires ERK2 activity. Additional studies conducted with oncogenic variants of KRas4B reveal that KRas^L61, but not KRas^V12, also decreases the PP5-ERK2 interaction. The expression of wild type HRas or KRas proteins fails to reduce PP5-ERK2 binding, indicating that the effect is specific to HRas^V12 and KRas^L61 gain-of-function mutations. These findings reveal a novel, differential responsiveness of PP5-ERK1 and PP5-ERK2 interactions to select oncogenic Ras variants and also support a role for PP5·ERK complexes in regulating the feedback phosphorylation of PP5-associated Raf1.     

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) localization acts in concert with substrate targeting to create spatial restriction for phosphorylation

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) acts in diverse cell types by phosphorylating proteins with key calcium-dependent functions such as synaptic plasticity, electrical excitability, and neurotransmitter synthesis. CaMKII displays calcium-dependent binding to proteins in vitro and translocation to synaptic sites after glutamatergic activity in neurons. We therefore hypothesized that subcellular targeting of CaMKII can direct its substrate specificity in an activity-dependent fashion. Here, we examined whether activity-dependent colocalization of CaMKII and its substrates could result in regulation of substrate phosphorylation in cells. We find that substrates localized at cellular membranes required CaMKII translocation to these compartments to achieve effective phosphorylation. Spatial barriers to phosphorylation could be overcome by translocation and anchoring to the substrate itself or to nearby target proteins within the membrane compartment. In contrast, phosphorylation of a cytoplasmic counterpart of the substrate does not require CaMKII translocation or stable protein-protein binding. Cytosolic phosphorylation is more permissive, exhibiting partial calcium-independence. Localization-dependent substrate specificity can also show more graded levels of regulation within signaling microdomains. We find that colocalization of translocated CaMKII and its substrate to lipid rafts in the plasma membrane can modulate the magnitude of phosphorylation. Thus, dynamic regulation of both substrate and kinase localization provides a powerful and nuanced way to regulate CaMKII signal specificity.     

Recycling and resensitization of the neurokinin 1 receptor. Influence of agonist concentration and Rab GTPases

Substance P (SP) induces endocytosis and recycling of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) in endothelial cells and spinal neurons at sites of inflammation and pain, and it is thus important to understand the mechanism and function of receptor trafficking. We investigated how the SP concentration affects NK1R trafficking and determined the role of Rab GTPases in trafficking. NK1R trafficking was markedly influenced by the SP concentration. High SP (10 nM) induced translocation of the NK1R and beta-arrestin 1 to perinuclear sorting endosomes containing Rab5a, where NK1R remained for >60 min. Low SP (1 nM) induced translocation of the NK1R to early endosomes located immediately beneath the plasma membrane that also contained Rab5a and beta-arrestin 1, followed by rapid recycling of the NK1R. Overexpression of Rab5a promoted NK1R translocation to perinuclear sorting endosomes, whereas the GTP binding-deficient mutant Rab5aS34N caused retention of the NK1R in superficial early endosomes. NK1R translocated from superficial early endosomes to recycling endosomes containing Rab4a and Rab11a, and Rab11aS25N inhibited NK1R recycling. Rapid NK1R recycling coincided with resensitization of SP-induced Ca2+ mobilization and with the return of surface SP binding sites. Resensitization was minimally affected by inhibition of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase and phosphatases but was markedly suppressed by disruption of Rab4a and Rab11a. Thus, whereas beta-arrestins mediate NK1R endocytosis, Rab5a regulates translocation between early and sorting endosomes, and Rab4a and Rab11a regulate trafficking through recycling endosomes. We have thus identified a new function of Rab5a as a control protein for directing concentration-dependent trafficking of the NK1R into different intracellular compartments and obtained evidence that Rab4a and Rab11a contribute to G-protein-coupled receptor recycling from early endosomes.     

Effects of MgCl2 on the release and recycling of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in a rat parathyroid cell line.

Divalent cations, such as Mg2+, Ba2+, and Co2+, are known to mimic the effects of Ca2+ in parathyroid cells, but it is not clear whether the mechanism of their action is the same as that of Ca2+. We have shown that extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]e) regulates the distribution and recycling of cell-surface heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans in a rat parathyroid cell line; at normal to high [Ca2+]e (e.g., 2 mM) HS proteoglycans are primarily localized intracellularly, while at low [Ca2+]e (0.05 mM) they are translocated to the cell surface and rapidly recycle (Takeuchi, Y., Sakaguchi, K., Yanagishita, M., Aurbach, G. D., and Hascall, V. C., 1990, J. Biol. Chem. 265, 13661-13668). We now show that a high concentration of Mg2+ (8 mM) reduces the amount of recycling HS proteoglycans in low [Ca2+]e. However, the primary effects of high Ca2+ and high Mg2+ on the recycling HS proteoglycans are different. High [Ca2+]e causes translocation of HS proteoglycans to intracellular compartments, while high Mg2+ stimulates cleavage of their core proteins and subsequent shedding of HS proteoglycans into the medium, thereby depleting the recycling molecules. However, high Mg2+ does not induce shedding of HS proteoglycans in high [Ca2+]e. The effects of Ba2+ and Co2+ were similar to those of Mg2+, but Sr2+ showed no significant effects on HS proteoglycan translocation. Otherwise, 8 mM Mg2+ did not alter biosynthesis or intracellular catabolism of HS proteoglycans. These observations suggest that the recycling of HS proteoglycans in parathyroid cells is sensitive only to [Ca2+]e, whereas several other divalent cations can deplete the recycling HS proteoglycans by a distinctly different mechanism. Thus, the mechanism by which Ca2+ regulates the amounts of the recycling HS proteoglycans may be more physiological and play a functional role in parathyroid cells.     

Ca2+-dependent translocation of hexose carrier in mouse fibroblast Swiss 3T3 cells

Ca2+-induced translocation of hexose carriers from microsomal membrane to plasma membrane was demonstrated in saponin-permeabilized Swiss 3T3 cells by a specific D-glucose-inhibitable cytochalasin B-binding assay. The number of hexose carriers in the plasma membrane and the hexose transport activity in intact cells were also compared. The incubation of permeabilized cells with 10 microM Ca2+ at 37 degrees C rapidly increased the number of D-glucose-inhibitable cytochalasin B-binding sites in the plasma membrane from 13 to 40 pmol/mg protein and concomitantly decreased that in the microsomal membrane from 66 to 36 pmol/mg protein, each with a half-time of approx. 2 min. Furthermore, when Ca2+-stimulated cells were exposed to 50 microM EGTA, the effect of Ca2+ on the translocation of D-glucose-inhibitable cytochalasin B-binding sites was reversed with a half-time of approx. 5 min. The concentration of Ca2+ required for the half-maximal effect was approx 500 nM. The magnitude of the stimulatory effect of D-glucose-inhibitable cytochalasin B-binding sites in the plasma membrane closely correlated with the magnitude of stimulatory action of Ca2+ on 3-O-methylglucose transport in the intact cells. These results suggest that Ca2+ regulates the activity of hexose transport across the plasma membrane through a rapid and reversible translocation of hexose carrier between microsomal and plasma membranes of mouse fibroblast Swiss 3T3 cells.     

Ca2+ regulation in the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger involves two markedly different Ca2+ sensors

The plasma membrane Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) is almost certainly the major Ca2+ extrusion mechanism in cardiac myocytes. Binding of Na+ and Ca2+ ions to its large cytosolic loop regulates ion transport of the exchanger. We determined the solution structures of two Ca2+ binding domains (CBD1 and CBD2) that, together with an alpha-catenin-like domain (CLD), form the regulatory exchanger loop. CBD1 and CBD2 are very similar in the Ca2+ bound state and describe the Calx-beta motif. Strikingly, in the absence of Ca2+, the upper half of CBD1 unfolds while CBD2 maintains its structural integrity. Together with a 7-fold higher affinity for Ca2+, this suggests that CBD1 is the primary Ca2+ sensor. Specific point mutations in either domain largely allow the interchange of their functionality and uncover the mechanism underlying Ca2+ sensing in NCX.     

Calmodulin and IQGAP1 activation of PI3Kα and Akt in KRAS,HRAS and NRAS-driven cancers

Calmodulin (CaM) binds only oncogenic KRas, but not HRas or NRas, and thus contributes only to KRAS-driven cancers. How CaM interacts with KRas and how it boosts KRAS cancers are among the most coveted aims in cancer biology. Here we address this question, and further ask: Are there proteins that can substitute for CaM in HRAS- and NRAS-driven cancers? Can scaffolding protein IQGAP1 be one? Data suggest that formation of a CaM–KRas–PI3Kα ternary complex promotes full PI3Kα activation, and thereby potent PI3Kα/Akt/mTOR proliferative signaling. CaM binds PI3Kα at the cSH2 and nSH2 domains of its regulatory p85 subunit; the WW domain of IQGAP1 binds cSH2. This raises the question whether IQGAP1, together with an oncogenic Ras isoform, can partially activate PI3Kα. Activated, membrane-bound PI3Kα generates PIP₃. CaM shuttles Akt to the plasma membrane; CaM's release and concomitant phosphoinositide binding stimulates Akt activation. Notably, IQGAP1 directly interacts with, and helps juxtapose, PI3Kα and Akt as well as mTOR. Our mechanistic review aims to illuminate CaM's actions, and help decipher how oncogenic Ras isoforms – not only KRas4B – can activate the PI3Kα/Akt/mTOR pathway at the membrane and innovate drug discovery, including blocking the PI3Kα–IQGAP1 interaction in HRAS- and NRAS-driven cancers.     

Calmodulin-dependent regulation of Ca,Mg-ATPase activity in plasma membranes of the swine myometrium

Highly purified plasma membrane (PM) preparations of pig myometrium were found to contain 0.91 +/- 0.22 microgram calmodulin per mg of PM protein. Treatment of membranes with 1 mM EGTA in the presence of 0.2 M NaCl causes the diminution of the calmodulin content down to 3% of the original level. The activity of Ca, Mg-ATPase is thereby decreased by 40%. Exogenous calmodulin restores the enzyme activity up to 1.94 +/- +/- 0.30 mumol Pi/mg protein/hour. The maximal activation of Ca, Mg-ATPase is observed with 10(-7) M calmodulin. Calmodulin increases the total ATPase activity of myometrium PM without affecting the Mg-ATPase activity. Trifluoroperazine (20 microM) diminishes the activating effect of exogenous calmodulin on Ca, Mg-ATPase. Calmodulin stimulates Ca, Mg-ATPase at low concentrations of Ca2+(10(-8)-10(-6) M) by decreasing Km for Ca2+ from 0.4.10(-6) M to 2.10(-8) M as well as by increasing Vmax--from 0,8 to 1.42 mumol Pl/mg protein/hour. It is supposed that the activating effect of calmodulin on Ca, Mg-ATPase is based on electrostatic interactions of Ca2+-free calmodulin with the enzyme.     

The regulation of M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor desensitization by synaptic activity in cultured hippocampal neurons

To better understand metabotropic/ionotropic integration in neurons we have examined the regulation of M1 muscarinic acetylcholine (mACh) receptor signalling in mature (> 14 days in vitro), synaptically-active hippocampal neurons in culture. Using a protocol where neurons are exposed to an EC(50) concentration of the muscarinic agonist methacholine (MCh) prior to (R1), and following (R2) a desensitizing pulse of a high concentration of this agonist, we have found that the reduction in M(1) mACh receptor responsiveness is decreased in quiescent (+tetrodotoxin) neurons and increased when synaptic activity is enhanced by blocking GABA(A) receptors with picrotoxin. The picrotoxin-mediated effect on M1 mACh receptor responsiveness was completely prevented by alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor blockade. Inhibition of endogenous G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 by transfection with the non-G(q/11)alpha-binding, catalytically-inactive (D110A,K220R)G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 mutant, decreased the extent of M1 mACh receptor desensitization under all conditions. Pharmacological inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity, or chronic phorbol ester-induced PKC down-regulation had no effect on agonist-mediated receptor desensitization in quiescent or spontaneously synaptically active neurons, but significantly decreased the extent of receptor desensitization in picrotoxin-treated neurons. MCh stimulated the translocation of diacylglycerol- sensitive eGFP-PKCepsilon, but not Ca2+/diacylglycerol-sensitive eGFP-PKCbetaII in both the absence, and presence of tetrodotoxin. Under these conditions, MCh-stimulated eGFP-myristoylated, alanine-rich C kinase substrate translocation was dependent on PKC activity, but not Ca2+/calmodulin. In contrast, picrotoxin-driven translocation of myristoylated, alanine-rich C kinase substrate was accompanied by translocation of PKCbetaII, but not PKCepsilon, and was dependent on PKC and Ca2+/calmodulin. Taken together these data suggest that the level of synaptic activity may determine the different kinases recruited to regulate M1 mACh receptor desensitization in neurons.