• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.61-68
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• 2008

Purpose: Protein kinase C (PKC) is a member of a family of serine/threonine kinases that are activated by diacylglycerol (DG) and PKC stimulants. PKC play a key role in signal transduction, including muscle contraction, cell migration, apoptosis, cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the mechanism relating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and PKC, especially in the volume-dependent hypertensive state, remains unclear. Methods: In the present study, I investigated the relationship between PKC and MAPKs for isometric contraction, PKC translocation, and enzymatic activity from normotensive sham-operated rats (NSR) and aldosterone-analogue deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) hypertensive rats (ADHR). Results: Systolic blood pressure was significantly increased in ADHR than in NSR. Physiological salt solution (PSS)-induced resting tension and the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}{_i}$]) were different in the ADHR and NSR. The expression of PKC$\alpha$, PKC$\beta$II, PKC$\delta$, PKC$\varepsilon$ and PKC$\xi$ were different between the cytoplasmic and membranous fractions. However, expression of the PKC isoforms did not differ for the ADHR and NSR. The use of 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate (DPB, a PKC stimulant) induced isometric contraction in $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, which was diminished in muscle strips from ADHR as compared to NSR. Increased vasoconstriction and phosphorylation induced by the use of 1 ${\mu}$M DPB were inhibited by treatment with 10 ${\mu}$M PD098059 and 10 ${\mu}$M SB203580, inhibitors of extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK from ADHR, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that the development of aldosterone analogue-induced hypertension is associated with an altered blood pressure, resting tension, [$Ca^{2+}{_i}$], and that the $Ca^{2+}$-independent contraction evoked by PKC stimulants is due to the activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in volume-dependent hypertension. Therefore, it is suggested that PKC activity affects volume-dependent hypertension and the need to develop cardiovascular disease-specialized physical therapy.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.546-551
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• 2001

We have previously shown that, in circular muscle cells of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) isolated by enzymatic digestion, contraction in response to maximally effective doses of acetylcholine (ACh) or Inositol Triphosphate ($IP_3$) depends on the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from intracellular stores and activation of a $Ca6{2+}$-calmodulin (CaM)-dependent pathway. On the contrary, maintenance of LES tone, and response to low doses of ACh or $IP_3$ depend on a protein kinase C (PKC) mediated pathway. In the present investigation, we have examined requirements for $Ca6{2+}$ regulation of the interaction between CaM- and PKC-dependent pathways in LES contraction. Thapsigargin (TG) treatment for 30 min dose dependently reduced ACh-induced contraction of permeable LES cells in free $Ca6{2+}$ medium. ACh-induced contraction following the low level of reduction of $Ca6{2+}$ stores by a low dose of TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) was blocked by the CaM antagonist, CCS9343B but not by the PKC antagonists chelerythrine or H7, indicating that the contraction is CaM-dependent. After maximal reduction in intracellular $Ca{2+}$ from $Ca6{2+}$stores by TG ($10^{-6}{\;}M$), ACh-induced contraction was blocked by chelerythrine or H7, but not by CCS9343B, indicating that it is PKC-dependent. In normal $Ca^{2+}$medium, the contraction by ACh after TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) treatment was also CaM-dependent, whereas the contraction by ACh after TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) treatment was PKC-dependent. We examined whether PKC activation was inhibited by activated CaM. CCS 7343B Inhibited the CaM-induced contraction, but did not inhibit the DAC-induced contraction. CaM inhibited the DAC-induced contraction in the presence of CCS 9343B. This inhibition by CaM was $Ca{2+}$dependent. These data are consistent with the view that the switch from a PKC-dependent pathway to a CaM dependent pathway can occur and can be regulated by cytosolic $Ca{2+}$ in the LES.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.629-637
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• 1997

Tumor necrosis factor-${alpha}$ (TNF) induced a cytotoxic response in ME-180 cervical carcinoma cells in vitro. This cytotoxic response was accompanied by a temporal series of mitogenic stimuli : increased c-fos, c-jun and jun-B expression. Depletion of protein kinase C (PKC) by exposure of ME-180 cells to 100ng/ml phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for 24hours almost completely abolished TNF-mediated increase in these signals, indicating that a PKC-dependent pathway is involved in TNF-mediated increases in the expression of c-fos, c-jun and jun-B. Characteristics of TNF receptors after exposure to 100ng/ml PMA or 24hours were not altered, suggesting that diminished induction of these oncogenes by TNF after PMA treatment is not due to any changes at the receptor level. To examine whether a PKC-dependent pathway is involved in TNF-mediated cytotoxicity in ME-180 cells, cytotoxicity was measured after depletion of PKC. No apparent changes in cytototoxicity after PKC depletion suggest that a PKC-dependent pathway is not involved in TNF-mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, results from cytotoxicity tests after exposure to staurosporine (PKC inhibitor) did not show any changes in the TNF-mediated cytotoxicity, confirming that a PKC-dependent pathway is not involved in this process. These data indicate that 1) TNF induces expression of c-fos, c-jun and jun-B oncogenes via a PKC-dependent pathway and 2) PKC-dependent expression of these three oncogenes by TNF may not be involved in TNF-mediated cytotoxicity in ME-180 cells.

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

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2008

Purpose: The nitric oxide (NO) release by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is the key events in macrophage response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which is suggested to be a crucial mediator for inflammatory and innate immune responses. NO is an important mediator involved in many host defense action and may also lead to a harmful host response to bacterial infection. However, given the importance of iNOS in a variety of pathophysiological conditions, control of its expression and signaling events in response to LPS has been the subject of considerable investigation. Materials and Methods: The Raw264.7 macrophage cell line was used to observe LPS-stimulated iNOS expression. The expression of iNOS is observed by Western blot analysis and real-time RT-PCR. Protein kinase C $(PKC)-{\alpha}$ overexpressing Raw264.7 cells are established to determine the involvement of $PKC-{\alpha}$ in LPS-mediated iNOS expression. $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity is measured by $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation and $NF-{\kappa}B$ luciferase activity assay. Results: We found that various PKC isozymes regulate LPS-induced iNOS expression at the transcriptional and translational levels. The involvement of $PKC-{\alpha}$ in LPS-mediated iNOS induction was further confirmed by increased iNOS expression in $PKC-{\alpha}$ overexpressing cells. $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent transactivation by LPS was observed and $PKC-{\alpha}$ specific inhibitory peptide abolished this activation, indicating that $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation is dependent on $PKC-{\alpha}$. Conclusion: Our data suggests that $PKC-{\alpha}$ is involved in LPS-mediated iNOS expression and that its downstream target is $NF-{\kappa}B$. Although $PKC-{\alpha}$ is a crucial mediator in the iNOS regulation, other PKC isozymes may contribute LPS-stimulated iNOS expression. This finding is needed to be elucidated in further study.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.260-266
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• 2005

IgE-dependent histamine releasing factor (HRF), previously known as P23/P21 or translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP), induces the degranulation of histamine in mast cell and basophil. Yeast two hybrid results showed that HRF interacts with the alpha subunit of Na, K-ATPase, suggesting that HRF is a regulator for governing the activity of Na, K-ATPase. In this study, we examined the interaction of HRF and Wa,K-ATPase after treatments of various PKC isotype inhibitors. Membrane fractionation, pull-down assay and immunoprecipitation results showed that PKC $\alpha,\;PKC\;\beta,\;\delta$ subunits are involved in the phosphorylation of HRF. However, these results did not correlate with the results of histamine release assay since histamine release assay results suggested that some PKC isotype inhibitors induced the histamine release in RBL-2H3 cell.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.259-265
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• 2008

$[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transients by reverse mode of cardiac $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchanger (NCX1) were recorded in fura-2 loaded BHK cells with stable expression of NCX1. Repeated stimulation of reverse NCX1 produced a long-lasting decrease of $Ca^{2+}$ transients ('rundown'). Rundown of NCX1 was independent of membrane $PIP_2$ depletion. Although the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) was observed during the $Ca^{2+}$ transients, neither a selective PKC inhibitor (calphostin C) nor a PKC activator (PMA) changed the degrees of rundown. By comparison, a non-specific PKC inhibitor, staurosporine (STS), reversed rundown in a dose-dependent and reversible manner. The action of STS was unaffected by pretreatment of the cells with calphostin C, PMA, or forskolin. Taken together, the results suggest that the stimulation of reverse NCX1 by STS is independent of PKC and/or PKA inhibition.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.639-645
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• 2005

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes, a family of serine-threonine kinases, are important regulators of cell proliferation and malignant transformation. Phorbol esters, the prototype PKC activators, cause PKC translocation to the plasma membrane in prostate cancer cells, and trigger an apoptotic response. Studies in recent years have determined that each member of the PKC family exerts different effects on apoptotic or survival pathways. $PKC{\delta}$, one of the novel PKCs, is a key player of the apoptotic response via the activation of the p38 MAPK pathway. Studies using RNAi revealed that depletion of $PKC{\delta}$ totally abolishes the apoptotic effect of the phorbol ester PMA. Activation of the classical $PKC{\alpha}$ promotes the dephosphorylation and inactivation of the survival kinase Akt. Studies have assigned a pro-survival role to $PKC{\varepsilon}$, but the function of this PKC isozyme remains controversial. Recently, it has been determined that the PKC apoptotic effect in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells is mediated by the autocrine secretion of death factors. $PKC{\delta}$ stimulates the release of $TNF{\alpha}$ from the plasma membrane, and blockade of $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion or $TNF{\alpha}$ receptors abrogates the apoptotic response of PMA. Molecular analysis indicates the requirement of the extrinsic apoptotic cascade via the activation of death receptors and caspase-8. Dissecting the pathways downstream of PKC isozymes represents a major challenge to understanding the molecular basis of phorbol ester-induced apoptosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.347-355
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• 1996

We examined the effects of EGTA and verapamil on phorbol ester-and forskolin-stimulated LH releases and $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels in order to verify the role of extracellular $Ca^{++}$ on PKC- or cAMP-induced increases in LH release and $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels in cultured anterior pituitary cells of rat. Forskolin-stimulated $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels as well as LH release were all suppressed by prevention of $Ca^{++}$ mobilization from extracellular environment, after the treatment of EGTA as a $Ca^{++}$ chelator or verapamil as a $Ca^{++}$ channel blocker. PMA-stimulated $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels were also suppressed by the treatment of EGTA and verapamil, while PMA-induced LH release was not affected. From the present study, it is, therefore, suggested that PKC activation and cAMP elevation all stimulate $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels and these are extracellular $Ca^{++}$-dependent. However, LH releases by PKC activation and cAMP increase seem to be different each other. LH release by PKC activation is thought to be independent of extracellular $Ca^{++}$. On the other hand, cAMP stimulated-LH release is thought to be dependent on the entry of extracellular $Ca^{++}$.

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