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Diacylglycerol (DAG) is a key lipid second messenger downstream of cellular receptors that binds to the C1 domain in many regulatory proteins. Protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms constitute the most prominent family of signaling proteins with DAG-responsive C1 domains, but six other families of proteins, including the chimaerins, Ras-guanyl nucleotide-releasing proteins (RasGRPs), and Munc13 isoforms, also play important roles. Their significant involvement in cancer, immunology, and neurobiology has driven intense interest in the C1 domain as a therapeutic target. As with other classes of targets, however, a key issue is the establishment of selectivity. Here, using [ 3 H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([ 3 H]PDBu) competition binding assays, we found that a synthetic DAG-lactone, AJH-836, preferentially binds to the novel PKC isoforms PKCδ and PKCϵ relative to classical PKCα and PKCβII. Assessment of intracellular translocation, a hallmark for PKC activation, revealed that AJH-836 treatment stimulated a striking preferential redistribution of PKCϵ to the plasma membrane relative to PKCα. Moreover, unlike with the prototypical phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), prolonged exposure of cells to AJH-836 selectively down-regulated PKCδ and PKCϵ without affecting PKCα expression levels. Biologically, AJH-836 induced major changes in cytoskeletal reorganization in lung cancer cells, as determined by the formation of membrane ruffles, via activation of novel PKCs. We conclude that AJH-836 represents a C1 domain ligand with PKC-activating properties distinct from those of natural DAGs and phorbol esters. Our study supports the feasibility of generating selective C1 domain ligands that promote novel biological response patterns.

The C1 domain represents the recognition module for diacylglycerol and phorbol esters in protein kinase C, Ras guanine nucleotide releasing protein (RasGRP), and related proteins. RasGRP2 is exceptional in that its C1 domain has very weak binding affinity (Kd = 2890 ± 240 nm for [(3)H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. We have identified four amino acid residues responsible for this lack of sensitivity. Replacing Asn(7), Ser(8), Ala(19), and Ile(21) with the corresponding residues from RasGRP1/3 (Thr(7), Tyr(8), Gly(19), and Leu(21), respectively) conferred potent binding affinity (Kd = 1.47 ± 0.03 nm) in vitro and membrane translocation in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in LNCaP cells. Mutant C1 domains incorporating one to three of the four residues showed intermediate behavior with S8Y making the greatest contribution. Binding activity for diacylglycerol was restored in parallel. The requirement for anionic phospholipid for [(3)H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding was determined; it decreased in going from the single S8Y mutant to the quadruple mutant. The full-length RasGRP2 protein with the mutated C1 domains also showed strong phorbol ester binding, albeit modestly weaker than that of the C1 domain alone (Kd = 8.2 ± 1.1 nm for the full-length protein containing all four mutations), and displayed translocation in response to phorbol ester. RasGRP2 is a guanyl exchange factor for Rap1. Consistent with the ability of phorbol ester to induce translocation of the full-length RasGRP2 with the mutated C1 domain, phorbol ester enhanced the ability of the mutated RasGRP2 to activate Rap1. Modeling confirmed that the four mutations helped the binding cleft maintain a stable conformation., (© 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)

C1 domains, the recognition motif of the second messenger diacylglycerol and of the phorbol esters, are classified as typical (ligand-responsive) or atypical (not ligand-responsive). The C1 domain of Vav1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, plays a critical role in regulation of Vav activity through stabilization of the Dbl homology domain, which is responsible for exchange activity of Vav. Although the C1 domain of Vav1 is classified as atypical, it retains a binding pocket geometry homologous to that of the typical C1 domains of PKCs. This study clarifies the basis for its failure to bind ligands. Substituting Vav1-specific residues into the C1b domain of PKCδ, we identified five crucial residues (Glu(9), Glu(10), Thr(11), Thr(24), and Tyr(26)) along the rim of the binding cleft that weaken binding potency in a cumulative fashion. Reciprocally, replacing these incompatible residues in the Vav1 C1 domain with the corresponding residues from PKCδ C1b (δC1b) conferred high potency for phorbol ester binding. Computer modeling predicts that these unique residues in Vav1 increase the hydrophilicity of the rim of the binding pocket, impairing membrane association and thereby preventing formation of the ternary C1-ligand-membrane binding complex. The initial design of diacylglycerol-lactones to exploit these Vav1 unique residues showed enhanced selectivity for C1 domains incorporating these residues, suggesting a strategy for the development of ligands targeting Vav1.

Classic and novel protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes contain two zinc finger motifs, designated "C1a" and "C1b" domains, which constitute the recognition modules for the second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG) or the phorbol esters. However, the individual contributions of these tandem C1 domains to PKC function and, reciprocally, the influence of protein context on their function remain uncertain. In the present study, we prepared PKCdelta constructs in which the individual C1a and C1b domains were deleted, swapped, or substituted for one another to explore these issues. As isolated fragments, both the deltaC1a and deltaC1b domains potently bound phorbol esters, but the binding of [(3)H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([(3)H]PDBu) by the deltaC1a domain depended much more on the presence of phosphatidylserine than did that of the deltaC1b domain. In intact PKCdelta, the deltaC1b domain played the dominant role in [(3)H]PDBu binding, membrane translocation, and down-regulation. A contribution from the deltaC1a domain was nonetheless evident, as shown by retention of [(3)H]PDBu binding at reduced affinity, by increased [(3)H]PDBu affinity upon expression of a second deltaC1a domain substituting for the deltaC1b domain, and by loss of persistent plasma membrane translocation for PKCdelta expressing only the deltaC1b domain, but its contribution was less than predicted from the activity of the isolated domain. Switching the position of the deltaC1b domain to the normal position of the deltaC1a domain (or vice versa) had no apparent effect on the response to phorbol esters, suggesting that the specific position of the C1 domain within PKCdelta was not the primary determinant of its activity.

The mechanism underlying the important role of protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta) in the apoptotic effect of etoposide in glioma cells is incompletely understood. Here, we examined the role of PKCdelta in the activation of Erk1/2 by etoposide. We found that etoposide induced persistent activation of Erk1/2 and nuclear translocation of phospho-Erk1/2. MEK1 inhibitors decreased the apoptotic effect of etoposide, whereas inhibitors of p38 and JNK did not. The activation of Erk1/2 by etoposide was downstream of PKCdelta since the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 was inhibited by a PKCdelta-KD mutant and PKCdelta small interfering RNA. We recently reported that phosphorylation of PKCdelta on tyrosines 64 and 187 was essential for the apoptotic effect of etoposide. Using PKCdeltatyrosine mutants, we found that the phosphorylation of PKCdeltaon these tyrosine residues, but not on tyrosine 155, was also essential for the activation of Erk1/2 by etoposide. In contrast, nuclear translocation of PKCdelta was independent of its tyrosine phosphorylation and not necessary for the phosphorylation of Erk1/2. Etoposide induced down-regulation of kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), which correlated with persistent phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and was dependent on the tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCdelta. Moreover, silencing of MKP-1 increased the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and the apoptotic effect of etoposide. Etoposide induced polyubiquitylation and degradation of MKP-1 that was dependent on PKCdelta and on its tyrosine phosphorylation. These results indicate that distinct phosphorylation of PKCdeltaon tyrosines 64 and 187 specifically activates the Erk1/2 pathway by the down-regulation of MKP-1, resulting in the persistent phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and cell apoptosis.

C1 domains mediate the recognition and subsequent signaling response to diacylglycerol and phorbol esters by protein kinase C (PKC) and by several other families of signal-transducing proteins such as the chimerins or RasGRP. MRCK (myotonic dystrophy kinase-related Cdc42 binding kinase), a member of the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase family that functions downstream of Cdc42, contains a C1 domain with substantial homology to that of the diacylglycerol/phorbol ester-responsive C1 domains and has been reported to bind phorbol ester. We have characterized here the interaction of the C1 domains of the two MRCK isoforms alpha and beta with phorbol ester. The MRCK C1 domains bind [20-(3)H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate with K(d) values of 10 and 17 nm, respectively, reflecting 60-90-fold weaker affinity compared with the protein kinase C delta C1b domain. In contrast to binding by the C1b domain of PKCdelta, the binding by the C1 domains of MRCK alpha and beta was fully dependent on the presence of phosphatidylserine. Comparison of ligand binding selectivity showed resemblance to that by the C1b domain of PKCalpha and marked contrast to that of the C1b domain of PKCdelta. In intact cells, as in the binding assays, the MRCK C1 domains required 50-100-fold higher concentrations of phorbol ester for induction of membrane translocation. We conclude that additional structural elements within the MRCK structure are necessary if the C1 domains of MRCK are to respond to phorbol ester at concentrations comparable with those that modulate PKC.

The C1 domain zinc finger structure is highly conserved among the protein kinase C (PKC) superfamily members. As the interaction site for the second messenger sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) and for the phorbol esters, the C1 domain has been an important target for developing selective ligands for different PKC isoforms. However, the C1 domains of the atypical PKC members are DAG/phorbol ester-insensitive. Compared with the DAG/phorbol ester-sensitive C1 domains, the rim of the binding cleft of the atypical PKC C1 domains possesses four additional positively charged arginine residues (at positions 7, 10, 11, and 20). In this study, we showed that mutation to arginines of the four corresponding sites in the C1b domain of PKCdelta abolished its high potency for phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate in vitro, with only marginal remaining activity for phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in vivo. We also demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo that the loss of potency to ligands was cumulative with the introduction of the arginine residues along the rim of the binding cavity rather than the consequence of loss of a single, specific residue. Computer modeling reveals that these arginine residues reduce access of ligands to the binding cleft and change the electrostatic profile of the C1 domain surface, whereas the basic structure of the binding cleft is still maintained. Finally, mutation of the four arginine residues of the atypical PKC C1 domains to the corresponding residues in the deltaC1b domain conferred response to phorbol ester. We speculate that the arginine residues of the C1 domain of atypical PKCs may provide an opportunity for the design of ligands selective for the atypical PKCs.

Although multiple natural products are potent ligands for the diacylglycerol binding C1 domain of protein kinase C (PKC), RasGRP, and related targets, the high conservation of C1 domains has impeded the development of selective ligands. We characterized here a diacylglycerol-lactone, 130C037, emerging from a combinatorial chemical synthetic strategy, which showed substantial selectivity. 130C037 gave shallow binding curves for PKC isoforms alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon, with apparent Ki values ranging from 340 nm for PKCalpha to 29 nm for PKCepsilon. When binding to isolated C1 domains of PKCalpha and -delta, 130C037 showed good affinity (Ki= 1.78 nm) only for deltaC1b, whereas phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate showed affinities within 10-fold for all. In LNCaP cells, 130C037 likewise selectively induced membrane translocation of deltaC1b. 130C037 bound intact RasGRP1 and RasGRP3 with Ki values of 3.5 and 3.8 nm, respectively, reflecting 8- and 90-fold selectivity relative to PKCepsilon and PKCalpha. By Western blot of Chinese hamster ovary cells, 130C037 selectively induced loss from the cytosol of RasGRP3 (ED50 = 286 nm), partial reduction of PKCepsilon (ED50 > 10 microm), and no effect on PKCalpha. As determined by confocal microscopy in LNCaP cells, 130C037 caused rapid translocation of RasGRP3, limited slow translocation of PKCepsilon, and no translocation of PKCalpha. Finally, 130C037 induced Erk phosphorylation in HEK-293 cells ectopically expressing RasGRP3 but not in control cells, whereas phorbol ester induced phosphorylation in both. The properties of 130C037 provide strong proof of principle for the feasibility of developing ligands with selectivity among C1 domain-containing therapeutic targets.

Protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta) regulates cell apoptosis in a cell- and stimulus-specific manner. Here, we studied the role of PKCdelta in the apoptotic effect of TRAIL in glioma cells. We found that transfection of the cells with a PKCdelta kinase-dead mutant (K376R) or with a small interfering RNA targeting the PKCdelta mRNA increased the apoptotic effect of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), whereas overexpression of PKCdelta decreased it. PKCdelta acted downstream of caspase 8 and upstream of cytochrome c release from the mitochondria. TRAIL induced cleavage of PKCdelta within 2-3 h of treatment, which was abolished by caspase 3, 8, and 9 inhibitors. The cleavage of PKCdelta was essential for its protective effect because overexpression of a caspase-resistant mutant (PKCdeltaD327A) did not protect glioma cells from TRAIL-induced apoptosis but rather increased it. TRAIL induced translocation of PKCdelta to the perinuclear region and the endoplasmic reticulum and phosphorylation of PKCdelta on tyrosine 155. Using a PKCdeltaY155F mutant, we found that the phosphorylation of PKCdelta on tyrosine 155 was essential for the cleavage of PKCdelta in response to TRAIL and for its translocation to the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, phosphorylation of PKCdelta on tyrosine 155 was necessary for the activation of AKT in response to TRAIL. Our results indicate that PKCdelta protects glioma cells from the apoptosis induced by TRAIL and implicate the phosphorylation of PKCdelta on tyrosine 155 and its cleavage as essential factors in the anti-apoptotic effect of PKCdelta.

The role of the protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases in cellular differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and other responses makes them attractive therapeutic targets. The activation of PKCs by ligands in vivo varies depending upon cell type; therefore, methods are needed to screen the potency of PKCs in this context. Here we describe a genetically encoded chimera of native PKCdelta fused to yellow- and cyan-shifted green fluorescent protein, which can be expressed in mammalian cells. This chimeric protein kinase, CY-PKCdelta, retains native or near-native activity in the several biological and biochemical parameters that we tested. Binding assays showed that CY-PKCdelta and native human PKCdelta have similar binding affinity for phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. Analysis of translocation by Western blotting and confocal microscopy showed that CY-PKCdelta translocates from the cytosol to the membrane upon treatment with ligand, that the translocation has similar dose dependence as that of endogenous PKCdelta, and that the pattern of translocation is indistinguishable from that of the green fluorescent protein-PKCdelta fusion well characterized from earlier studies. Treatment with phorbol ester of cells expressing CY-PKCdelta resulted in a dose-dependent increase in FRET that could be visualized in situ by confocal microscopy or measured fluorometrically. By using this construct, we were able to measure the kinetics and potencies of 12 known PKC ligands, with respect to CY-PKCdelta, in the intact cell. The CY-PKCdelta chimera and the in vivo assays described here therefore show potential for high throughput screening of prospective PKCdelta ligands within the context of cell type.

The capsaicin receptor VR1 is a polymodal nociceptor activated by multiple stimuli. It has been reported that protein kinase C plays a role in the sensitization of VR1. Protein kinase D/PKCmu is a member of the protein kinase D serine/threonine kinase family that exhibits structural, enzymological, and regulatory features distinct from those of the PKCs, with which they are related. As part of our effort to optimize conditions for evaluating VR1 pharmacology, we found that treatment of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells heterologously expressing rat VR1 (CHO/rVR1) with butyrate enhanced rVR1 expression and activity. The expression of PKCmu and PKCbeta1, but not of other PKC isoforms, was also enhanced by butyrate treatment, suggesting the possibility that these two isoforms might contribute to the enhanced activity of rVR1. In support of this hypothesis, we found the following. 1) Overexpression of PKCmu enhanced the response of rVR1 to capsaicin and low pH, and expression of a dominant negative variant of PKCmu reduced the response of rVR1. 2) Reduction of endogenous PKCmu using antisense oligonucleotides decreased the response of exogenous rVR1 expressed in CHO cells as well as of endogenous rVR1 in dorsal root ganglion neurons. 3) PKCmu localized to the plasma membrane when overexpressed in CHO/rVR1 cells. 4) PKCmu directly bound to rVR1 expressed in CHO cells as well as to endogenous rVR1 in dorsal root ganglia or to an N-terminal fragment of rVR1, indicating a direct interaction between PKCmu and rVR1. 5) PKCmu directly phosphorylated rVR1 or a longer N-terminal fragment (amino acids 1-118) of rVR1 but not a shorter one (amino acids 1-99). 6) Mutation of S116A in rVR1 blocked both the phosphorylation of rVR1 by PKCmu and the enhancement by PKCmu of the rVR1 response to capsaicin. We conclude that PKCmu functions as a direct modulator of rVR1.

Vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1), a membrane-associated cation channel, is activated by the pungent vanilloid from chili peppers, capsaicin, and the ultra potent vanilloid from Euphorbia resinifera, resiniferatoxin (RTX), as well as by physical stimuli (heat and protons) and proposed endogenous ligands (anandamide, N-arachidonyldopamine, N-oleoyldopamine, and products of lipoxygenase). Only limited information is available in TRPV1 on the residues that contribute to vanilloid activation. Interestingly, rabbits have been suggested to be insensitive to capsaicin and have been shown to lack detectable [(3)H]RTX binding in membranes prepared from their dorsal root ganglia. We have cloned rabbit TRPV1 (oTRPV1) and report that it exhibits high homology to rat and human TRPV1. Like its mammalian orthologs, oTRPV1 is selectively expressed in sensory neurons and is sensitive to protons and heat activation but is 100-fold less sensitive to vanilloid activation than either rat or human. Here we identify key residues (Met(547) and Thr(550)) in transmembrane regions 3 and 4 (TM3/4) of rat and human TRPV1 that confer vanilloid sensitivity, [(3)H]RTX binding and competitive antagonist binding to rabbit TRPV1. We also show that these residues differentially affect ligand recognition as well as the assays of functional response versus ligand binding. Furthermore, these residues account for the reported pharmacological differences of RTX, PPAHV (phorbol 12-phenyl-acetate 13-acetate 20-homovanillate) and capsazepine between human and rat TRPV1. Based on our data we propose a model of the TM3/4 region of TRPV1 bound to capsaicin or RTX that may aid in the development of potent TRPV1 antagonists with utility in the treatment of sensory disorders.

The mouse skin model of carcinogenesis has been instrumental in our appreciation of the multistage nature of carcinogenesis. In this system, tumor promotion is a critical step in the generation of tumors and is usually achieved by treatment with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Although it is generally assumed that protein kinase C (PKC) is the sole receptor for TPA in this system, we sought to evaluate whether non-PKC pathways could also contribute to the effects of phorbol esters in skin. We documented expression of the high affinity non-PKC phorbol ester receptor and Ras activator RasGRP1 in mouse primary keratinocytes. Overexpression of RasGRP1 in keratinocytes increased the level of active GTP-loaded Ras. TPA treatment further elevated this Ras activation in a PKC-independent manner and induced the translocation and down-regulation of RasGRP1. Overexpression of RasGRP1 in keratinocytes also caused apoptosis. Finally, induction of keratinocyte differentiation by elevation of extracellular calcium suppressed expression of endogenous RasGRP1, whereas overexpression of RasGRP1 inhibited expression of the differentiation markers keratins 1 and 10 induced by high calcium in the medium. Taken together, our results demonstrate that RasGRP1 is an additional diacylglycerol/phorbol ester receptor in epidermal keratinocytes and suggest that activation of this novel receptor may contribute to some of the phorbol ester- and Ras-mediated effects in mouse epidermis.

Sindbis virus (SV) is an alpha virus used as a model for studying the role of apoptosis in virus infection. In this study, we examined the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the apoptosis induced by SVNI, a virulent strain of SV. Infection of C6 cells with SVNI induced a selective translocation of PKCdelta to the endoplasmic reticulum and its tyrosine phosphorylation. The specific PKCdelta inhibitor rottlerin and a PKCdelta kinase-dead mutant increased the apoptosis induced by SVNI. To examine the role of the tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCdelta in the apoptosis induced by SVNI we used a PKCdelta mutant in which five tyrosine residues were mutated to phenylalanine (PKCdelta5). PKCdelta5-overexpressing cells exhibited increased apoptosis in response to SVNI as compared with control cells and to cells overexpressing PKCdelta. SVNI also increased the cleavage of caspase 3 in cells overexpressing PKCdelta5 but did not induce cleavage of PKCdelta or PKCdelta5. Using single tyrosine mutants, we identified tyrosines 52, 64, and 155 as the phosphorylation sites associated with the apoptosis induced by SVNI. We conclude that PKCdelta exerts an inhibitory effect on the apoptosis induced by SV and that phosphorylation of PKCdelta on specific tyrosines is required for this function.

Phorbol esters, the archetypical (PKC) activators, induce apoptosis in androgen-sensitive LNCaP prostate cancer cells. In this study we evaluate the effect of a novel class of PKC ligands, the diacylglycerol (DAG)-lactones, as inducers of apoptosis in LNCaP cells. These unique ligands were designed using novel pharmacophore- and receptor-guided approaches to achieve highly potent DAG surrogates. Two of these compounds, HK434 and HK654, induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells with much higher potency than oleoyl-acetyl-glycerol or phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. Moreover, different PKC isozymes were found to mediate the apoptotic effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and HK654 in LNCaP cells. Using PKC inhibitors and dominant negative PKC isoforms, we found that both PKCalpha and PKCdelta mediated the apoptotic effect of PMA, whereas only PKCalpha was involved in the effect of the DAG-lactone. The PKCalpha selectivity of HK654 in LNCaP cells contrasts with similar potencies in vitro for binding and activation of PKCalpha and PKCdelta. Consistent with the differences in isoform dependence in intact cells, PMA and HK654 show marked differences in their abilities to translocate PKC isozymes. Both PMA and HK654 induce a marked redistribution of PKCalpha to the plasma membrane. On the other hand, unlike PMA, HK654 translocates PKCdelta predominantly to the nuclear membrane. Thus, DAG-lactones have a unique profile of activation of PKC isozymes for inducing apoptosis in LNCaP cells and represent the first example of a selective activator of a classical PKC in cellular models. An attractive hypothesis is that selective activation of PKC isozymes by pharmacological agents in cells can be achieved by differential intracellular targeting of each PKC.

Vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) is a ligand-gated channel that can be activated by capsaicin and other vanilloids as well as by protons and heat. In the present study, we have analyzed the oligomeric state of VR1. Co-immunoprecipitation of differently tagged VR1 molecules indicated that VR1 can form oligomers. Using two different heterologous VR1 expression systems as well as endogenous VR1 expressed in dorsal root ganglion cells, we analyzed oligomer formation using perfluoro-octanoic acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results were confirmed both with chemical cross-linking agents as well as through endogenous cross-linking mediated by transglutaminase. Our results clearly show that VR1 forms multimers in each of the expression systems with a homotetramer as a predominant form. The oligomeric structure of VR1 may contribute to the complexity of VR1 pharmacology. Finally, differences in glycosylation between the systems were observed, indicating the need for caution in the use of the heterologous expression systems for analysis of VR1 properties.

The C1 domains of conventional and novel protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms bind diacylglycerol and phorbol esters with high affinity. Highly conserved hydrophobic residues at or near the rim of the binding cleft in the second cysteine-rich domain of PKC-delta (PKC-deltaC1b) were mutated to probe their roles in ligand recognition and lipid interaction. [(3)H]Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) binding was carried out both in the presence and absence of phospholipids to determine the contribution of lipid association to the ligand affinity. Lipid dependence was determined as a function of lipid concentration and composition. The binding properties of a high affinity branched diacylglycerol with lipophilicity similar to PDBu were compared with those of PDBu to identify residues important for ligand selectivity. As expected, Leu-20 and Leu-24 strongly influenced binding. Substitution of either by aspartic acid abolished binding in either the presence or absence of phosphatidylserine. Mutation of Leu-20 to Arg or of Leu-24 to Lys caused a dramatic (340- and 250-fold, respectively) reduction in PDBu binding in the presence of lipid but only a modest reduction in the weaker binding of PDBu observed in the absence of lipid, suggesting that the main effect was on C1 domain -phospholipid interactions. Mutation of Leu-20 to Lys or of Trp-22 to Lys had modest (3-fold) effects and mutation of Phe-13 to Tyr or Lys was without effect. Binding of the branched diacylglycerol was less dependent on phospholipid and was more sensitive to mutation of Trp-22 to Tyr or Lys, especially in the presence of phospholipid, than was PDBu. In terms of specific PKC isoforms, our results suggest that the presence of Arg-20 in PKC-zeta may contribute to its lack of phorbol ester binding activity. More generally, the results emphasize the interplay between the C1 domain, ligand, and phospholipid in the ternary binding complex.

The real time dynamics of vanilloid-induced cytotoxicity and the specific deletion of nociceptive neurons expressing the wild-type vanilloid receptor (VR1) were investigated. VR1 was C-terminally tagged with either the 27-kDa enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) or a 12-amino acid epsilon-epitope. Upon exposure to resiniferatoxin, VR1eGFP- or VR1epsilon-expressing cells exhibited pharmacological responses similar to those of cells expressing the untagged VR1. Within seconds of vanilloid exposure, the intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) was elevated in cells expressing VR1. A functional pool of VR1 also was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum that, in the absence of extracellular calcium, also was capable of releasing calcium upon agonist treatment. Confocal imaging disclosed that resiniferatoxin treatment induced vesiculation of the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum ( approximately 1 min), nuclear membrane disruption (5-10 min), and cell lysis (1-2 h). Nociceptive primary sensory neurons endogenously express VR1, and resiniferatoxin treatment induced a sudden increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and mitochondrial disruption which was cell-selective, as glia and non-VR1-expressing neurons were unaffected. Early hallmarks of cytotoxicity were followed by specific deletion of VR1-expressing cells. These data demonstrate that vanilloids disrupt vital organelles within the cell body and, if administered to sensory ganglia, may be employed to rapidly and selectively delete nociceptive neurons.

Protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta) inhibits proliferation and decreases expression of the differentiation marker glutamine synthetase (GS) in C6 glioma cells. Here, we report that distinct, specific tyrosine residues on PKCdelta are involved in these two responses. Transfection of cells with PKCdelta mutated at tyrosine 155 to phenylalanine caused enhanced proliferation in response to 12-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, whereas GS expression resembled that for the PKCdelta wild-type transfectant. Conversely, transfection with PKCdelta mutated at tyrosine 187 to phenylalanine resulted in increased expression of GS, whereas the rate of proliferation resembled that of the PKCdelta wild-type transfectant. The tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCdelta and the decrease in GS expression induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were abolished by the Src kinase inhibitors PP1 and PP2. In response to PDGF, Fyn associated with PKCdelta via tyrosine 187. Finally, overexpression of dominant negative Fyn abrogated the decrease in GS expression and reduced the tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCdelta induced by PDGF. We conclude that the tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCdelta and its association with tyrosine kinases may be an important point of divergence in PKC signaling.

Our previous study showed differential subcellular localization of protein kinase C (PKC) delta by phorbol esters and related ligands, using a green fluorescent protein-tagged construct in living cells. Here we compared the abilities of a series of symmetrically substituted phorbol 12,13-diesters to translocate PKC delta. In vitro, the derivatives bound to PKC with similar potencies but differed in rate of equilibration. In vivo, the phorbol diesters with short, intermediate, and long chain fatty acids induced distinct patterns of translocation. Phorbol 12,13-dioctanoate and phorbol 12,13-nonanoate, the intermediate derivatives and most potent tumor promoters, showed patterns of translocation typical of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, with plasma membrane and subsequent nuclear membrane translocation. The more hydrophilic compounds (phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate and phorbol 12,13-dihexanoate) induced a patchy distribution in the cytoplasm, more prominent nuclear membrane translocation, and little plasma membrane localization at all concentrations examined (100 nM to 10 microM). The highly lipophilic derivatives, phorbol 12,13-didecanoate and phorbol 12, 13-diundecanoate, at 1 microM caused either plasma membrane translocation only or no translocation at incubation times up to 60 min. Our results indicate that lipophilicity of phorbol esters is a critical factor contributing to differential PKC delta localization and thereby potentially to their different biological activities.

Enzyme localization often plays a controlling role in determining its activity and specificity. Protein kinase C (PKC) has long been known to translocate in response to physiological stimuli as well as to exogenous ligands such as the phorbol esters. We report here that different phorbol derivatives and related ligands, selected for differences in chemical structure and profile of biological activity, induce distinct patterns of redistribution of PKC delta. Localization of a PKC delta-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion construct was monitored in living Chinese hamster ovary cells as a function of ligand, concentration, and time using confocal laser scanning microscopy. delta-PKC-GFP was expressed predominantly in the cytoplasm, with some in the nucleus and perinuclear region. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced plasma membrane translocation followed by slower nuclear membrane translocation. As the concentration of PMA increased, the proportion of nuclear to plasma membrane localization increased markedly. In contrast to PMA, bryostatin 1, a unique activator of PKC that induces a subset of PMA-mediated responses while antagonizing others, at all doses induced almost exclusively nuclear membrane translocation. Like PMA, the complete tumor promoter 12-deoxyphorbol 13-tetradecanoate induced plasma membrane and slower nuclear membrane translocation, whereas the inhibitor of tumor promotion 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate, which differs only in its side chain, induced a distinctive distribution of PKC delta-GFP. Finally, the novel constrained diacylglycerol derivative B8-DL-B8 induced a slow Golgi localization. We speculate that differential control of PKC delta localization may provide an interesting strategy for producing ligands with differential biological consequences.

Aggregation of FcepsilonRI on mast cells results in the phosphorylation of the FcepsilonRIgamma chain on tyrosine and threonine residues within the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif. In the present study we sought to identify the site of threonine phosphorylation in FcepsilonRIgamma and investigate its functional importance. We found that threonine 60 was phosphorylated in vitro and in vivo. Expression of a mutated FcepsilonRIgamma (T60A), in either FcepsilonRIgamma-deficient or gamma-null mast cells, resulted in a delay of FcepsilonRI endocytosis, inhibition of TNF-alpha mRNA production, and inhibition of degranulation but did not affect FcepsilonRI-induced cell adhesion. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the T60A mutant gamma chain was normal, but Syk phosphorylation was dramatically reduced in these transfectants. This correlated with reduced co-immunoprecipitation of FcepsilonRIgamma with Syk. Substitution of an aspartic residue for threonine 60 of the FcepsilonRIgamma reconstituted complete activation of Syk and co-immunoprecipitation of FcepsilonRIgamma with Syk. We conclude that the negative charge provided by phosphorylation of threonine 60 of the FcepsilonRIgamma is required for the appropriate interaction and activation of Syk. This is a likely requirement for immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs involved in Syk activation.

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of glial cells. In a recent study we found that overexpression of PKCdelta reduced the expression of the astrocytic marker glutamine synthetase (GS). In this study we explored the mechanisms involved in the inhibitory effect of PKCdelta on the expression of glutamine synthetase. Using PKC chimeras we first examined the role of the catalytic and regulatory domains of PKCdelta on the expression of glutamine synthetase. We found that cells stably transfected with chimeras between the regulatory domain of PKCdelta and the catalytic domains of PKCalpha or epsilon inhibited the expression of GS, similar to the inhibition exerted by overexpression of PKCdelta itself. In contrast, no significant effects were observed in cells transfected with the reciprocal PKC chimeras between the regulatory domains of PKCalpha or epsilon and the catalytic domain of PKCdelta. PKCdelta has been shown to undergo tyrosine phosphorylation in response to various activators. Tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCdelta in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and platelet-derived growth factor occurred only in chimeras which contained the PKCdelta regulatory domain. Cells transfected with a PKCdelta mutant (PKCdelta5), in which the five putative tyrosine phosphorylation sites were mutated to phenylalanine, showed markedly diminished tyrosine phosphorylation in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and platelet-derived growth factor and normal levels of GS. Our results indicate that the regulatory domain of PKCdelta mediates the inhibitory effect of this isoform on the expression of GS. Phosphorylation of PKCdelta on tyrosine residues in the regulatory domain is implicated in this inhibitory effect.

Bryostatin 1 (Bryo) has been shown to induce biphasic dose-response curves for down-regulating protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta) as well as for protecting PKCdelta from down-regulation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). To identify regions within PKCdelta that confer these responses to Bryo, we utilized reciprocal PKCalpha and PKCdelta chimeras (PKCalpha/delta and PKCdelta/alpha) constructed by exchanging the regulatory and catalytic domains of these PKCs. These chimeras and wild-type PKCalpha/alpha and PKCdelta/delta constructed in the same way were stably expressed in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Twenty-four h of treatment with Bryo induced a biphasic dose-response curve for down-regulating both wild-type PKCdelta/delta and the PKCalpha/delta chimera. In contrast, Bryo led to a nearly complete down-regulation of both PKCalpha/alpha and PKCdelta/alpha and also produced a faster mobility form of these species on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The nature of both the regulatory and, to a lesser extent, the catalytic domains affected the potency of Bryo to down-regulate the chimeric PKC proteins as well as to protect PKCalpha/delta and PKCdelta/delta from down-regulation. Bryo at high concentrations also inhibited the down-regulation of PKCdelta/delta and PKCalpha/delta induced by 1 microM PMA when co-applied. The portion of PKC protected by Bryo from down-regulation by either Bryo or PMA was localized in the particulate fraction of the cells. We conclude that the catalytic domain of PKCdelta confers protection from down-regulation induced by Bryo or Bryo plus PMA, suggesting that this domain contains the isotype-specific determinants involved in the unique effect of Bryo on PKCdelta.

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes exhibit important differences in terms of their regulation and biological functions. Not only may some PKC isoforms be active and others not for a given response, but the actions of different isoforms may even be antagonistic. In NIH 3T3 cells, for example, PKCdelta arrests cell growth whereas PKCepsilon stimulates it. To probe the contribution of the regulatory and the catalytic domains of PKC isozymes to isozyme-specific responses, we prepared chimeras between the regulatory and the catalytic domains of PKCalpha, -delta, and -epsilon. These chimeras, which preserve the overall structure of the native PKC enzymes, were stably expressed in mouse fibroblasts. A major objective was to characterize the growth properties of the cells that overexpress the various PKC constructs. Our data demonstrate that both the regulatory and the catalytic domains play roles in cell proliferation. The regulatory domain of PKCepsilon enhanced cell growth in the absence or presence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and, in the presence of PMA, all chimeras with the PKCepsilon regulatory domain also gave rise to colonies in soft agar; the role of the catalytic domain of PKCepsilon was evident in the PMA-treated cells that overexpressed the PKC chimera containing the delta regulatory and the epsilon catalytic domains (PKCdelta/epsilon). The important contribution of the PKCepsilon catalytic domain to the growth of PKCdelta/epsilon-expressing cells was also evident in terms of a significantly increased saturation density in the presence of PMA, their formation of foci upon PMA treatment, and the induction of anchorage-independent growth. Aside from the growth-promoting effect of PKCepsilon, we have shown that most chimeras with PKCalpha and -delta regulatory domains inhibit cell growth. These results underscore the complex contributions of the regulatory and catalytic domains to the overall behavior of PKC.

Beta2-chimaerin, a member of the GTPase-activating proteins for the small GTP-binding protein p21Rac, possesses a single cysteine-rich domain with high homology to those implicated in phorbol ester and diacylglycerol binding in protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes. We have expressed beta2-chimaerin in Sf9 insect cells using the baculovirus expression system and determined that, like PKCs, beta2-chimaerin binds phorbol esters with high affinity in the presence of phosphatidylserine as a cofactor. Scatchard plot analysis using the radioligand [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate revealed a dissociation constant of 1.9 +/- 0.2 nM for beta2-chimaerin. Likewise, beta2-chimaerin is a high affinity receptor for the bryostatins, a class of atypical PKC activators. A detailed comparison of structure-activity relations using several phorbol ester analogs revealed striking differences in binding recognition between beta2-chimaerin and PKCalpha. Although the diacylglycerol 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol binds with similar potency to both beta2-chimaerin and PKCalpha, the mezerein analog thymeleatoxin has 56-fold less affinity for binding to beta2-chimaerin. To establish whether beta2-chimaerin responds to phorbol esters in cellular systems, we overexpressed beta2-chimaerin in COS-7 cells and monitored its subcellular distribution after phorbol ester treatment. Interestingly, as described previously for PKC isozymes, beta2-chimaerin translocates from cytosolic to particulate fractions as a consequence of phorbol ester treatment. Our results demonstrate that beta2-chimaerin is a novel target for the phorbol ester tumor promoters. The expansion of the family of phorbol ester receptors strongly suggests a potential for the "non-kinase" receptors as cellular mediators of the phorbol ester responses.

Emerging evidence suggests important differences among protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes in terms of their regulation and biological functions. PKC is regulated by multiple interdependent mechanisms, including enzymatic activation, translocation of the enzyme in response to activation, phosphorylation, and proteolysis. As part of our ongoing studies to define the factors contributing to the specificity of PKC isozymes, we prepared chimeras between the catalytic and regulatory domains of PKCalpha, -delta, and -epsilon. These chimeras, which preserve the overall structure of the native PKC enzymes, were stably expressed in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Their intracellular distribution was similar to that of the endogenous enzymes, and they responded with translocation upon treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). We found that the potency of PMA for translocation of the PKCalpha/x chimeras from the soluble fraction was influenced by the catalytic domain. The ED50 for translocation of PKCalpha/alpha was 26 nM, in marked contrast to the ED50 of 0.9 nM in the case of the PKCalpha/epsilon chimera. In addition to this increase in potency, the site of translocation was also changed; the PKCalpha/epsilon chimera translocated mainly into the cytoskeletal fraction. PKCx/epsilon chimeras displayed twin isoforms with different mobilities on Western blots. PMA treatment increased the proportion of the higher mobility isoform. The two PKCx/epsilon isoforms differed in their localization; moreover, their localization pattern depended on the regulatory domain. Our results emphasize the complex contributions of the regulatory and catalytic domains to the overall behavior of PKC.

Modulation of protein kinase C (PKC) by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) disrupts the cell-cell junctions of the epithelial cell line LLC-PK1. To examine the role of specific PKC isoforms in this process we have created modified LLC-PK1 subclones that express wild-type and dominant negative versions of PKC-alpha under control of the tetracycline-responsive expression system. Overexpression of wild-type PKC-alpha rendered the cells more sensitive to the effects of TPA on transepithelial permeability as measured by loss of transepithelial resistance across the cell sheet. Conversely, expression of a dominant negative PKC-alpha rendered the cells more resistant to the effects of TPA as measured both by loss of transepithelial resistance as well as cell scattering. The properties of both subclones could be modulated by the addition of tetracycline, which suppressed the effect of the exogenous genes. These results indicate that the alpha isoform of PKC is at least one of the isoforms that regulate tight junctions and other cell-cell junctions of LLC-PK1 epithelia.

The overexpression of protein kinase C-delta (PKC-delta), but not PKC-epsilon, enables the mouse myeloid cell line 32D to differentiate into macrophages when treated with phorbol esters such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). To determine the domain of PKC-delta that is responsible for this isotype-specific function, cDNAs that encode reciprocal chimeras of PKC-delta and -epsilon (PKC-delta epsilon and PKC-epsilon delta) were constructed by exchanging regulatory and kinase domains using polymerase chain reaction technology. Both chimeras were stably expressed in 32D cells using the pLTR expression vector and displayed protein kinase activity upon TPA treatment. TPA treatment of L epsilon delta, cells that overexpressed the PKC-epsilon delta chimera, induced a dramatically increased cell volume, surface adherence, surface expression of Mac-1 and Mac-3, lysozyme production, and phagocytosis. These are the characteristics of the macrophage phenotype found in TPA-treated 32D cells that overexpressed PKC-delta. In contrast, little effect was seen in L delta epsilon, 32D cells that overexpressed PKC-delta epsilon, with or without TPA treatment. A PKC inhibitor directed toward the catalytic domain of PKC, GF109203X, and a selective inhibitor of PKC-delta, Rottlerin, blocked the TPA-induced differentiation of PKC-epsilon delta-overexpressing 32D cells. These results demonstrate that the catalytic domain of PKC-delta contains the primary determinants for its activity in phorbol ester-induced macrophage differentiation.

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes alpha, delta, epsilon, and zeta, shown to be expressed in adult rat cardiomyocytes, displayed distinct substrate specificities in phosphorylating troponin I and troponin T subunits in the bovine cardiac troponin complex. Thus, because they have different substrate affinities, PKC-alpha, -delta, and -epsilon phosphorylated troponin I more than troponin T, but PKC-zeta conversely phosphorylated the latter more than the former. Furthermore, PKC isozymes exhibited discrete specificities in phosphorylating distinct sites in these proteins as free subunits or in the troponin complex. Unlike other isozymes, PKC-delta was uniquely able to phosphorylate Ser-23/Ser-24 in troponin I, the bona fide phosphorylation sites for protein kinase A (PKA); and consequently, like PKA, it reduced Ca2+ sensitivity of Ca2+-stimulated MgATPase of reconstituted actomyosin S-1. In addition, PKC-delta, like PKC-alpha, readily phosphorylated Ser-43/Ser-45 (sites common for all PKC isozymes) and reduced maximal activity of MgATPase. In this respect, PKC-delta functioned as a hybrid of PKC-alpha and PKA. In contrast to PKC-alpha, -delta, and -epsilon, PKC-zeta exclusively phosphorylated two previously unknown sites in troponin T. Phosphorylation of troponin T by PKC-alpha resulted in decreases in both Ca2+ sensitivity and maximal activity, whereas phosphorylation by PKC-zeta resulted in a slight increase of the Ca2+ sensitivity without affecting the maximal activity of MgATPase. Most of the in vitro phosphorylation sites in troponin I and troponin T were confirmed in situ in adult rat cardiomyocytes. The present study has demonstrated for the first time distinct specificities of PKC isozymes for phosphorylation of two physiological substrates in the myocardium, with functional consequences.

Classical and novel protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes contain two, so-called cysteine-rich zinc finger domains that represent the binding sites for phorbol esters and the diacylglycerols. X-ray crystallographic, mutational, and modeling studies are providing detailed understanding of the interactions between the phorbol esters and individual PKC zinc fingers. In the present study, we explore the roles of the individual zinc fingers in the context of the intact enzyme. Our approach was to mutate either the first, the second, or both zinc fingers of PKCdelta, to express the mutated enzyme in NIH 3T3 cells, and to monitor the effect of the mutations on the dose-response curve for translocation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The introduced mutations change into glycine the consensus proline in the phorbol ester binding loop of the zinc finger; in the isolated zinc finger, this mutation causes a 125-fold decrease in phorbol ester binding affinity. We observed that mutation in the first zinc finger caused almost no shift in the dose-response curve for translocation; mutation in the second zinc finger caused a 21-fold shift, whereas mutation in both zinc fingers caused a 138-fold shift. We conclude that the zinc fingers in the intact PKC are not equivalent and that the second zinc finger plays the predominant role in translocation of protein kinase Cdelta in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Our findings have important implications for the understanding and design of PKC inhibitors targeted to the zinc finger domains.

Phorbol esters bind with high affinity to protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes as well as to two novel receptors, n-chimaerin and Unc-13. The cysteine-rich regions present in these proteins were identified as the binding sites for the phorbol ester tumor promoters and the lipophilic second messenger sn-diacylglycerol. A 50-amino-acid peptide comprising the second cysteine-rich region of PKC delta, expressed in Escherichia coli as a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fusion protein, bound [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) with high affinity (Kd = 0.8 nM). Using the cDNA of that cysteine-rich region as a template, a series of 37 point mutations was generated by site-directed mutagenesis, and the mutated proteins were analyzed quantitatively for binding of [3H]PDBu and, as appropriate, for binding of the ultrapotent analog [3H]bryostatin 1. Mutants displayed one of three patterns of behavior: phorbol ester binding was completely abolished, binding affinity was reduced, or binding was not significantly modified. As expected, five of the six cysteines as well as the two histidines involved in Zn2+ coordination are critical for the interaction of the protein with the phorbol esters. In addition, mutations in several positions, including phenylalanine 3, tyrosine 8, proline 11, leucines 20, 21 and 24, tryptophan 21, glutamine 27, and valine 38 drastically reduced the interaction with the ligands. The effect of these mutations can be rationalized from the three-dimensional (NMR) structure of the cysteine-rich region. In particular, the C-terminal portion of the protein does not appear to be essential, and the loop comprising amino acids 20 to 28 is implicated in the binding activity.

Protein kinase C (PCK) epsilon has been found to have unique properties among the PCK isozymes in terms of its membrane association, oncogenic potential, and substrate specificity. Recently we have demonstrated that PKC epsilon localizes to the Golgi network via its zinc finger domain and that both the holoenzyme and its zinc finger region modulate Golgi function. To further characterize the relationship between the domain organization and the subcellular localization of PKC epsilon, a series of NIH 3T3 cell lines were created, each overexpressing a different truncated version of PKC epsilon. The overexpressed proteins each were designed to contain an epsilon-epitope tag peptide at the COOH terminus to allow ready detection with an antibody specific for the tag. The subcellular localization of the recombinant proteins was analyzed by in vivo phorbol ester binding, immunocytochemistry, and cell fractionation followed by immunoblotting. Results revealed several regions of PKC epsilon that contain putative subcellular localization signals. The presence either of the hinge region or of a 33-amino-acid region including the pseudosubstrate sequence in the recombinant proteins resulted in association with the plasma membrane and cytoskeletal components. The catalytic domain was found predominantly in the cytosolic fraction. The accessibility and thus the dominance of these localization signals is likely to be affected by the overall conformation of the recombinant proteins. Regions with putative proteolytic degradation sites also were identified. The susceptibility of the overexpressed proteins to proteolytic degradation was dependent on the protein conformation. Based on these observations, a model depicting the interaction and hierarchy of the suspected localization signals and proteolytic degradation sites is presented.

Binding of phorbol esters to protein kinase C (PKC) has been regarded as dependent on phospholipids, with phosphatidylserine being the most effective for reconstituting binding. By using a purified single cysteine-rich region from PKC delta expressed in Escherichia coli we were able to demonstrate that specific binding of [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate to the receptor still takes place in the absence of the phospholipid cofactor. However, [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate bound to the cysteine-rich region with 80-fold lower affinity in the absence than in the presence of 100 micrograms/ml phosphatidylserine. Similar results were observed with the intact recombinant PKC delta isolated from insect cells. When different phorbol derivatives were examined, distinct structure-activity relations for the cysteine-rich region were found in the presence and absence of phospholipid. Our results have potential implications for PKC translocation, for inhibitor design, and for PKC structural determination.

The Caenorhabditis elegans Unc-13 protein is a novel member of the phorbol ester receptor family having a single cysteine-rich region with high homology to those present in protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes and the chimaerins. We expressed the cysteine-rich region of Unc-13 in Escherichia coli and quantitatively analyzed its interactions with phorbol esters and related analogs, its phospholipid requirements, and its inhibitor sensitivity. [3H]Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate [3H]PDBu bound with high affinity to the cysteine-rich region of Unc-13 (Kd = 1.3 +/- 0.2 nM). This affinity is similar to that of other single cysteine-rich regions from PKC isozymes as well as n-chimaerin. As also described for PKC isozymes and n-chimaerin, Unc-13 bound diacylglycerol with an affinity about 2 orders of magnitude weaker than [3H]PDBu. Structure-activity analysis revealed significant but modest differences between recombinant cysteine-rich regions of Unc-13 and PKC delta. In addition, Unc-13 required slightly higher concentrations of phospholipid for reconstitution of [3H]PDBu binding. Calphostin C, a compound described as a selective inhibitor of PKC, was also able to inhibit [3H]PDBu binding to Unc-13, suggesting that this inhibitor is not able to distinguish between different classes of phorbol ester receptors. In conclusion, although our results revealed some differences in ligand and lipid cofactor sensitivities, Unc-13 represents a high affinity cellular target for the phorbol esters as well as for the lipid second messenger diacylglycerol, at least in C. elegans. The use of phorbol esters or some "specific" antagonists of PKC does not distinguish between cellular pathways involving different PKC isozymes or novel phorbol ester receptors such as n-chimaerin or Unc-13.

We have measured the dissociation rate of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent tumor promoter, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), a weak tumor promoter, and 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate (dPP), an antitumor promoter, from intact mouse keratinocytes. PDBu and dPP showed a very rapid release from the cells (t1/2 = 1 min), whereas PMA showed a slower release (t1/2 = 9 min). Western blot analysis of the amounts of protein kinase C alpha (PKC alpha) and PKC delta in the soluble fraction and the Triton X-100-soluble particulate fraction revealed that translocation of both isozymes from the soluble to the particulate fraction was reversible when the phorbol esters were washed off. Washes of 5-15 min resulted in complete redistribution of the PKC isozymes when the cells were previously treated with 1 microM dPP or 1 microM PDBu for 5 min. In the case of treatment with 100 or 10 nM PMA, the redistribution required a longer time; nevertheless, the PKC isozymes returned to the soluble fraction within 60 min. Longer initial treatments with PMA, dPP, and PDBu (up to 60 min) translocated PKC in a very similar, completely reversible fashion. We conclude that in this cell line phorbol esters do not induce the conversion of PKC isozymes to an integral membrane state.

The gamma chain of the high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E is a member of the T-cell antigen receptor zeta chain family and a functional subunit common to both T-cell and Fc receptors. Here we report that the gamma chain is phosphorylated on threonine in response to protein kinase C activation. Furthermore, the threonine phosphorylation of the gamma chain correlates with the endocytosis of this receptor. We identified a receptor-associated kinase as the calcium-independent protein kinase C-delta and found that it associates with the carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the beta chain. In addition, protein kinase C-delta was the only isozyme capable of phosphorylating the gamma chain in vitro. These findings provide evidence for the functional role of protein kinase C-delta in early signal transduction events in the mast cell and suggest a more general mechanism of activation for receptors that share subunits of the zeta chain family.

n-Chimaerin is a recently described phorbol ester receptor that shares homology in its N-terminal region with the cysteine-rich zinc finger domain of protein kinase C. We have expressed n-chimaerin in insect cells using the baculovirus system and have used the isolated, recombinant n-chimaerin to characterize phorbol ester binding and structure-activity relations, lipid requirements, and inhibitor sensitivity. We find that n-chimaerin expressed in the baculovirus system bound [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate with high affinity (0.17 +/- 0.01 nM). Although having only a single cysteine-rich zinc finger region compared to two for protein kinase C, n-chimaerin thus closely resembled protein kinase C alpha. n-Chimaerin was likewise virtually indistinguishable from protein kinase C alpha in phorbol ester structure-activity relations, in phospholipid requirements, and in inhibition of binding by sphingosine and calphostin C, protein kinase C inhibitors acting on the regulatory domain. We conclude that a number of typical approaches used to implicate protein kinase C in biological function in cells do not discriminate between the n-chimaerin and protein kinase C classes of phorbol ester receptors.

The phorbol ester binding domain consists of a cysteine-rich region with a postulated consensus sequence for binding that includes 15 amino acids (Ahmed, S., Kozma, R., Lee, J., Monfries, C., Harden, N., and Lim, L. (1991) Biochem. J. 280, 233-241). In PKC zeta, the only PKC isoform lacking phorbol ester binding, this region differs in a single residue from the consensus (proline in position 11 of the motif). Restoration of this proline by site-directed mutagenesis of PKC zeta does not restore binding of either [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate or of the ultrapotent ligand [3H]bryostatin 1, suggesting that even a low affinity ligand interaction is absent. In addition, the vav and c-raf proto-oncogene products, proteins that possess cysteine-rich regions with high homology to PKC isozymes and other phorbol ester receptors, are unable to bind any of these ligands. Instead, all of these cysteine-rich regions bind zinc. Our results suggest that other amino acids besides those postulated for the consensus must be necessary for ligand binding and argue against direct modulation of PKC zeta, Vav, and c-Raf by phorbol esters.

Bryostatin 1 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) are both potent activators of protein kinase C (PKC), although in many systems bryostatin 1 induces only a subset of the responses to PMA and blocks those which it does not induce. We report here that in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts PMA showed similar potencies for translocating PKC isozymes alpha, delta, and epsilon to the Triton X-100-soluble and -insoluble fractions and for the down-regulation of the three isozymes. Bryostatin 1 was slightly was more potent than PMA for down-regulating it. Bryostatin 1 was markedly more potent than PMA for translocating PKC delta but showed a biphasic dose-response curve for down-regulating this isozyme. 1-10 nM bryostatin 1 down-regulated PKC delta to a similar extent as PMA; lower (10-100 pM) or, unexpectedly, higher (100 nM to 1 microM) doses of bryostatin 1 caused either no or reduced down-regulation. Moreover, these high (100 nM to 1 microM) doses of bryostatin 1 inhibited the down-regulation of PKC delta by 1 microM PMA when coapplied. Bryostatin 1 caused translocation of PKC epsilon with slightly higher potency than PKC delta, but there was no protection of this isozyme at any of the doses examined. Bryostatin 1 induced a long-term increase in c-Jun level. The dose-response curve for bryostatin 1 was biphasic, with maximal induction at 1-10 nM bryostatin 1, coincident with the maximal down-regulation of PKC delta. We conclude that bryostatin 1 showed substantially different regulation for PKC alpha, PKC delta, and PKC epsilon, whereas PMA distinguished only weakly between these isozymes.

It is generally accepted that the multiple, similar protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes are responsible for different specialized physiological processes, but evidence that directly assigns specific functions to specific isozymes is scarce. To test whether specific PKC isozymes are involved in myeloid differentiation, we have studied the effect of overexpression of PKC-alpha, -beta II, -delta, -epsilon, -zeta and -eta in 32D, a mouse myeloid progenitor cell line that does not differentiate in response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). No significant morphological or phenotypic changes could be observed in unstimulated cells that overexpress any of these isozymes. However, the cell lines that overexpressed PKC-alpha or -delta had acquired the ability to become mature macrophages 2-6 h after TPA stimulation. The overexpression of PKC-beta II, -epsilon, -zeta, or -eta, in contrast, did not permit TPA-induced differentiation. These results indicate that only these two members of the PKC gene family can participate in TPA-induced myeloid differentiation.

Indolocarbazoles have been identified as novel inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), with Gö 6976 as one of its most potent and selective representatives. Recombinant PKC isozymes alpha, beta 1, delta, epsilon, and zeta were used in in vitro kinase assays to investigate Gö 6976 with respect to isozyme-specific PKC inhibition. Gö 6850, identical with GF 109203X, another PKC-specific kinase inhibitor, was included in this study as a reference compound. Nanomolar concentrations of the indolocarbazole Gö 6976 inhibited the Ca(2+)-dependent isozymes alpha and beta 1, whereas even micromolar concentration of Gö 6976 had no effect on the kinase activity of the Ca(2+)-independent PKC subtypes delta, epsilon, and zeta. In contrast, the bisindolymaleimide Gö 6850 inhibited all PKC isozymes, however, with a ranked order of potency (alpha > beta 1 > epsilon > delta > zeta). Kinetic analysis revealed that PKC inhibition by Gö 6976 was competitive with respect to ATP, non-competitive with respect to the protein substrate, and mixed type with respect to phosphatidylserine. Further experiments in the presence of different amounts of free Ca2+ indicated that interference with Ca2+ or its binding site is not responsible for the differential inhibition of PKC isozymes by Gö 6976.

We have determined the patterns of mRNA and protein expression of 7 protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes in NIH 3T3 cells. Only PKC-alpha is expressed abundantly in NIH 3T3 cells; endogenous levels of the other 6 PKC isozymes are low or undetectable. We have overexpressed PKC-delta and -epsilon in these cells to observe activation/translocation of these two isozymes and the biological consequences of overexpression. Both PKC-delta and -epsilon, but not PKC-alpha, are partially associated with the insoluble fraction even in the absence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Upon PMA stimulation, both PKC-delta and -epsilon translocate to the insoluble fraction of cell homogenates, as can be observed with the endogenous PKC-alpha. Overexpression of PKC-delta induces significant changes in morphology and causes the cells to grow more slowly and to a decreased cell density in confluent cultures. These changes are accentuated by treatment with PMA. Overexpression of PKC-epsilon does not lead to morphological changes, but causes increased growth rates and higher cell densities in monolayers. None of the PKC-delta overexpressers grow in soft agar with or without PMA, but all the cell lines that overexpress PKC-epsilon grow in soft agar in the absence of PMA, but not in its presence. NIH 3T3 cells that overexpress PKC-epsilon also form tumors in nude mice with 100% incidence. This indicates that high expression of PKC-epsilon contributes to neoplastic transformation.

Previous studies indicated that rat basophilic RBL-2H3 cells contained the Ca(2+)-dependent alpha and beta and the Ca(2+)-independent delta, epsilon, and zeta isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC); of these, PKC beta and delta were the most potent transducers of signals for exocytosis in antigen-stimulated permeabilized cells. Exocytosis, nevertheless, was still dependent on an elevated free Ca2+. (Ozawa, K., Szallasi, Z., Kazanietz, M. G., Blumberg, P. M., Mischak, H., Mushinski, J. F., and Beaven, M. A. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 1749-1756). We now demonstrate that PKC alpha and epsilon, exclusively, inhibit antigen-induced hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids in the same permeabilized RBL-2H3 cells. Unlike secretion, the inhibitory actions occurred at a basal concentration (0.1 microM) of free Ca2+. The inhibitory actions of the two isozymes were potentiated by 20 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. As indicated by the effects of the phorbol ester, the probable mechanism was reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C gamma 1. The negative regulation of phospholipase C was apparent in intact cells, because the PKC inhibitor Ro31-7549 or down-regulation of PKC with phorbol ester enhanced antigen-induced hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids. The concentrations of the various isozymes of PKC in RBL-2H3 cells, as estimated by immunoblotting studies, were sufficient for promotion of exocytosis (i.e. beta and delta) and inhibition of phospholipid hydrolysis (i.e. alpha and epsilon).

Rat basophilic RBL-2H3 cells, which exhibit Ca(2+)-dependent secretion of granules when stimulated with antigen, contained the Ca(2+)-dependent alpha and beta and the Ca(2+)-independent delta, epsilon, and zeta isoforms of protein kinase C. These isoforms associated, to variable extents (i.e. delta the most and zeta the least), with the membrane fraction upon antigen stimulation but without external Ca2+; only the Ca(2+)-independent isoforms did so. Both types of isozymes were probably necessary for optimal responses to antigen as indicated by the following observations. All Ca(2+)-dependent isozymes were degraded in cells treated with 20 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate for 6 h, whereas the Ca(2+)-independent isozymes were not degraded and were retained when the cells were subsequently permeabilized and washed. Cells so treated still exhibited antigen-induced secretion (25-33% of normal) which was suppressed by selective inhibitors of protein kinase C (Ro31-7549 and calphostin C) thereby indicating a possible contribution of the Ca(2+)-independent isozymes in secretion. Normally, washed permeabilized cells lost all isozymes of protein kinase C and failed to secrete in response to antigen. A full secretory response to antigen could be reconstituted by the subsequent addition of nanomolar concentrations of either beta or delta isozymes of protein kinase C (other isozymes were much less effective) but only in the presence of 1 microM free Ca2+ to indicate distinct roles for Ca2+ and protein kinase C in exocytosis.

Incubation of protein kinase C (PKC) alpha with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate and phospholipid vesicles promoted a time-dependent irreversible insertion of the enzyme into the vesicles and the generation of a calcium-independent kinase activity. Calcium neither caused insertion nor influenced the insertion induced by the phorbol ester. The effect was strongly dependent on the phosphatidylserine concentration in the vesicle and could also be supported by other anionic phospholipids. An analysis of the structure-activity relations of PKC activators for the calcium-independent kinase activity revealed marked relative differences in potencies for binding and for insertion. Compounds such as phorbol 13-myristate 12-acetate and mezerein were very efficient at inducing insertion. In contrast, 12-deoxyphorbol esters and diacylglycerol were relatively inefficient at inducing insertion, requiring higher concentrations than expected from their binding affinities. The insertion of PKC alpha depended substantially on the length of the aliphatic esters in the 12- and 13-positions of the phorbol derivatives, and once again, potencies for insertion and binding were not directly proportional. Our findings suggest two different sites for ligand interaction on the molecule of PKC alpha with different structure-activity requirements. We speculate that the differential ability of compounds to promote insertion could contribute to the documented marked differences in the biological behavior of PKC activators.

Limited tryptic digestion of protein kinase C purified from mouse brain generated a 36-kDa fragment which no longer required Ca2+ and phospholipid for activity or bound phorbol ester. Under appropriate conditions, the isolated fragment was stable for several months at 4 degrees C or upon freezing and storage at -70 degrees C. Kinetic characteristics of the fragment were similar to those for the intact protein kinase. Although the fragment did not require phospholipid for activity, anionic phospholipids affected the extent of its activity in a pH-, substrate-, and substrate concentration-dependent manner. This effect appeared to be due to complex formation between the phospholipid and substrate. The catalytic fragment thus permits detection of a second point of interaction of phospholipid with the protein kinase C system in addition to the already described phospholipid regulatory domain.