• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.107-112
• /
• 2012

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent and bioaccumulative environmental pollutants. Recently, it is suggested that neurotoxic effects such as motor dysfunction and impairment in memory and learning have been associated with PCB exposure. However, structure relationship of PCB congeners with neurotoxic effects remains unknown. Since PKC signaling pathway is implicated in the modulation of motor behavior as well as learning and memory and the role of PKC are subspecies-specific, we attempted to study the effects of structurally distinct PCBs on the total PKC activity as well as subspecies of PKC in cerebellar granule cell culture model. Cells were exposed to 0, 25 and 50 ${\mu}M$ of PCB-126, PCB-169, PCB-114, PCB-157, PCB-52 and PCB-4 for 15 min. Cells were subsequently analyzed by [$^3H$] phorbol ester binding assay or immunoblotted against PKC-${\alpha}$ and -${\varepsilon}$ monoclonal antibodies. While non-dioxin-like-PCB (PCB-52 and PCB-4) induced a translocation of PKC-${\alpha}$ and -${\varepsilon}$ from cytosol to membrane fraction, dioxin-like PCBs (PCB-126, -169, -114, -157) had no effects. [$^3H$] Phorbol ester binding assay also revealed structure-dependent increase similar to translocation of PKC isozymes. While PCB-4 induced translocation of PKC-${\alpha}$ and -${\varepsilon}$ was inhibited by ROS inhibitor, the pattern of translocation was not affected in presence of AhR inhibitor. It is suggested that PCB-4-induced PKC activity may not be mediated via AhR-dependent pathway. Taken together, our findings suggest that chlorination of ortho-position in PCB may be a critical structural moiety associated with neurotoxic effects, which may be preferentially mediated via non-AhR-dependent pathway. Therefore, the present study may contribute to understanding the neurotoxic mechanism of PCBs as well as providing a basis for establishing a better neurotoxic assessment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.51-56
• /
• 2013

Many intracellular proteins and signaling cascades contribute to the sensitivity of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). One such putative contributor is the serine/threonine kinase, protein kinase C (PKC). Activation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) causes activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and promotes the formation of new spines in cultured hippocampal neurons. The purpose of this study was to examine which PKC isoforms are responsible for the PMA-induced augmentation of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 stratum radiatum of the hippocampus in vitro and verify that this facilitation requires NMDAR activation. We found that PMA enhanced the induction of LTP by a single episode of theta-burst stimulation in a concentration-dependent manner without affecting to magnitude of baseline field excitatory postsynaptic potentials. Facilitation of LTP by PMA (200 nM) was blocked by the nonspecific PKC inhibitor, Ro 31-8220 ($10{\mu}M$); the selective $PKC{\delta}$ inhibitor, rottlerin ($1{\mu}M$); and the $PKC{\varepsilon}$ inhibitor, TAT-${\varepsilon}V1$-2 peptide (500 nM). Moreover, the NMDAR blocker DL-APV ($50{\mu}M$) prevented enhancement of LTP by PMA. Our results suggest that PMA contributes to synaptic plasticity in the nervous system via activation of $PKC{\delta}$ and/or $PKC{\varepsilon}$, and confirm that NMDAR activity is required for this effect.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.8
• /
• pp.1165-1169
• /
• 2002

Palm kernel cake (PKC), a by-product of oil palm seeds after extraction of their oil. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of PKC on growth performance and blood lipids in rats. A total of 64 Sprague-Dawley (8 weeks of age) male rats were assigned individually to four treatments with different levels of PKC in the diet: 0, 15, 20 and 25%. No differences (p<0.05) were found in daily feed intake (6-8 g/day), body weight, growth rate and epididymal fat weight for all the dietary groups. Plasma protein and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triacylglycerol (TG) were higher (p<0.05) for 20% PKC fed rats than the control rats. Conversely, the plasma cholesterol and TG and VLDL-phospholipid (PL) concentrations of the control rats were higher (p<0.05) than those of PKC fed rats. The VLDL-protein, total cholesterol, free cholesterol (FC) and cholesteryl ester (CE) were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the treatment groups. Rats fed PKC had greater (p<0.05) ratios of total surface to core lipid components [(FC+PL)/(CE+TG)] than control rats. The results reflect dissimilarities of VLDL particle size between PKC treatment and control rats, where the plasma of the PKC treated rats contained more lipid rich VLDL. In conclusion, there was no adverse effect on growth performance when inclusion of PKC up to 25%. However, fibre content may affect the plasma lipid concentrations.

• Journal of Plant Biology
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.85-90
• /
• 1992

The previous report (Chung and Lee, 1992) in our laboratory demonstrated that the protein kinase C (PKC) activator, TPA, promotes the elongation of corn coleoptiles significantly. To understand the role of TPA on the growth, substrates of PKC were investigated using PKC partially purified from soybean by DEAE-52 cellulose column. The enzyme activity increased about 5-fold in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$, phosphatidylserine and diolein compared with that in the absence of these reagents. Phosphorylation of both cytosol and membrane proteins by the purified PKC increased in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$ compared with that of EGTA treatment. However, the phosphorylation did not increase markedly by treatment with TPA or phosphatidylserine and diolein in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$ compared with $Ca^{2+}$ alone. The decrease, in phosphorylation of 100, 61 and 43 Kd proteins of the cytosol, and 140, no, 66, 47 and 32 Kd membrane proteins in hypocotyls, and 140, no, 66, 47, 33, 31 and 16 Kd membrane proteins in the root was observed in the presence of PKC inhibitor staurosporine (5T A). These results suggest that subatrates of PKC in soybean may be 110, 63 and 41 Kd proteins of the cytosol, and 140, 110, 66, 47 and 32 Kd membrane proteins in the subapical region of the hypocotyl, and 140, 110, 66, 47, 33, 31 and 16 Kd membrane proteins of the root.e root.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.445-454
• /
• 2007

Background: Phosphatidic acid(PA), an important second messenger, is involved in inflammation. Notably, cell-cell interactions via adhesion molecules playa central role in inflammation. This thesis show that PA induces expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) on macrophages and describe the signaling pathways. Materials and methods: Macrophages were cultured in the presence of 10% FBS and assayed cell to cell adhesion using HUVEC. For the gene and protein analysis, RT-PCR, Western blot and flow cytometry were performed. In addition, overexpressed cell lines for dominant negative PKC-${\delta}$ mutant established and tested their effect on the promoter activity and expression of ICAM-1 protein by PA. Results: PA-activated macrophages significantly increased adhering to human umbilical vein endothelial cell and this adhesion was mediated by ICAM-1. Pretreatment with rottlerin(PKC-${\delta}$ inhibitor) or expression of a dominant negative PKC-${\delta}$ mutant, but not Go6976(classical PKC-${\alpha}$ inhibitor) and myristoylated PKC-${\xi}$ inhibitor, attenuated PA-induced ICAM-1 expression. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) inhibitor blocked PA-induced ICAM-1 expression in contrast, ERK upstream inhibitor didn't block ICAM-1. Conclusion: These data suggest that PA-induced ICAM-1 expression and cell-cell adhesion in macrophages requires PKC-${\delta}$ activation and that PKC-${\delta}$ activation is triggers to sequential activation of p38 MAPK.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2017

PDK1 is essential for T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$, and PDK1-induced phosphorylation of $PKC{\theta}$ is important for TCR-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation. However, inverse regulation of PDK1 by $PKC{\theta}$ during T cell activation has not been investigated. In this study, we found that $PKC{\theta}$ is involved in human PDK1 phosphorylation and that its kinase activity is crucial for human PDK1 phosphorylation. Mass spectrometry analysis of wild-type $PKC{\theta}$ or of kinase-inactive form of $PKC{\theta}$ revealed that $PKC{\theta}$ induced phosphorylation of human PDK1 at Ser-64. This $PKC{\theta}$-induced PDK1 phosphorylation positively regulated T cell activation and TCR-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation. Moreover, phosphorylation of human PDK1 at Ser-64 increased the stability of human PDK1 protein. These results suggest that Ser-64 is an important phosphorylation site that is part of a positive feedback loop for human PDK1-$PKC{\theta}$-mediated T cell activation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.13-17
• /
• 2007

Purpose: To understand the pathogenesis of the disease that presents abnormally proliferated vascular endothelial cells, a model of DMH(1,2-dimethylhydrazine)-induced abnormal proliferation of HUVECs(Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells) was made. We indirectly determined that Protein Kinase C(PKC) restricts the cellular proliferation and inhibits the manifestation of growth factor by using several inhibiting substances of the transmitter through our previous studies. Thereupon, we attempted to observe direct enzymatic activities of PKC and its correlation with the abnormal proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. Methods: $10^5$ HUVECs cells were applied to 6 individual well plates in three different groups; A control group cultured without treatment, a group concentrated with $0.75{\times}10^{-8}M$ DMH only, and a group treated with DMH & $5{\times}10^{-9}M$ Calphostin C, inhibitor of PKC. In analyzing the formation of intracellular PKC enzyme, protein separation was performed, and separated protein was quantitatively measured. PKC enzyme reaction was analyzed through Protein Kinase C Assay System (Promega, USA), and the results were analyzed according to Beer's law. Results: Enzymatic activity of PKC presented the highest in all reaction time of a group concentrated only with DMH, and the lowest in the control group. The group treated with DMH and the inhibitor revealed statistically lower enzymatic activity than group only with DMH in all reaction time, although higher than the control group. Conclusion: From the enzymatic aspect, most active and immediate reaction of the PKC was observed in the group concentrated with DMH only. The group treated with DMH & PKC inhibitor showed meaningful decrease. Accordingly, PKC holds a significant role in DMH-induced abnormal proliferation of vascular endothelial cells.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.87-91
• /
• 1998

The present study investigated the involvement of the phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways during progesteroneinduced meiotic maturation in amphibian (Rana dybowskii) oocytes. Prosesterone-induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) of oocytes was significantly inhibited by a PKC inhibitor, staurosporine and a PLC inhibitor, U73122, in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, U73343, an inactive analogue of U73122, was ineffective in suppressing GVBD. PKC activity in oocytes reached a maximum level at 30 min after progesterone stimulation and this elevated PKC activity was effectively suppressed by U73122 or staurosporine, suggesting that the activation of PKC enzyme is closely linked to PLC signaling during oocyte maturation. In addition, these inhib itors blocked the maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity which appeared in oocytes in response to progesterone, suggesting that PKC activation is an important signal for MPF activity. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the activation of PKC via PLC signaling is directly linked to an intracellular protein kinase cascade related to the appearance of MPF activity during meiotic maturation in amphibian (Rana dybowskii) oocytes.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.203-210
• /
• 2004

It has been reported that glomerulosclerosis mediated by the dysfunction of mesangial cells and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy. However, it is not yet known the effect of high glucose on IGF-I, -II secretion, IGF-I receptor, and IGFBPs expression in the mesangial cells. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the effect of high glucose on IGF system and its involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) and oxidative stress in mesangial cells. In this study, high glucose (25 mM) increased IGF-I and IGF-II secretion and mRNA expression (P<0.05), which was blocked by PKC inhibitor (staurosporine, 10/sup -8/ M) and antioxidant (N-acetyl cystein, 10/sup -5/ M). High glucose decreased IGFBP-1 and -2 expression but increased IGFBP-5 expression. These alteration of IGFBPs by high glucose was also prevented by staurosporine and NAC, suggesting the role of PKC and oxidative stress. Indeed, high glucose increased PKC activity. Furthermore, high glucose-induced increase of lipid peroxide (LPO) formation was blocked by PKC inhibitors. In conclusion, high glucose alters IGF system via PKC-oxidative pathways in mesangial cells.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.350-354
• /
• 1998

To understand the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of chondrogenesis, we examined proteins which are phosphorylated by PKC. Stage 23/24 chick embryo wing mesenchymes were micromass-cultured to induce chondrogenesis and cell extracts were phosphorylated in a condition that activates PKC. Several proteins including 63 and 66 kDa proteins were phosphorylated. The 66 kDa protein was phosphorylated only in the presence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and phosphatidylserine CPS), and the phosphorylation was almost completely diminished by bisindolylmaleimide, a PKC inhibitor. In addition, partially purified PKC increased the phosphorylation of the 66 kDa protein. Treatment of cultures with lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) promoted chondrogenesis and phosphorylation of 66 kDa protein, while PMA and thymeleatoxin inhibited both of the two events. Our results suggest that the 66 kDa protein is a putative substrate of PKC, and phosphorylation of the 66 kDa protein, probably by $PKC\alpha$ is required for chondrogenesis.