The phosphoprotein phosphatase calcineurin controls calcium-dependent apoptosis in B cell lines

Group I Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines and the B104 lymphoma cell line which expresses a phenotype of immature B cells undergo apoptosis after cross-linking of their surface immunoglobulin (Ig) receptors or after exposure to a calcium ionophore, while protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol esters prevent such apoptosis. We show here that blockade of the phosphoprotein phosphatase calcineurin or phosphatase 2B by cyclosporin A (CsA) also protects these B cell lines against Ca²⁺-dependent apoptosis but not against apoptosis triggered by the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine or by serum deprivation. Okadaic acid, an inhibitor of phosphatases 1, 2A and 2C was ineffective. Among a series of human cytokines tested, only interferon-α and tumor necrosis factor-α were shown to protect against Ca²⁺-dependent apoptosis when used alone or in combination with CsA. In contrast to phorbol esters which block the progression into the S/G₂ phases of the cell cycle, CsA partially restored the proliferation of cells exposed to the calcium ionophore. Altogether these data provide indirect evidence for the control of B cell apoptosis by the serine/threonine phosphorylation status of yet undefined key cellular substrates.     

Hepatitis C virus viral kinetics during α-2a or α-2b pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy in liver transplant recipients with different immunosuppression regimes

Background

Predictors of sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral therapy post-liver transplantation (LT) for chronic hepatitis C are needed. In non-transplanted patients, viral kinetics can predict SVR.

Objectives

To determine the early viral kinetics in LT recipients with different immunosuppression (tacrolimus - Tac- vs. cyclosporine - CsA-) during treatment with peg-IFN + RBV.

Study design

Prospective pilot study in HCV-1b infected patients: (LT CsA n = 8; Tac n = 8; non-LT n = 4), treated with IFN α-2a vs. α-2b (180 μg or 1.5 μg/kg, respectively) once weekly plus weight-based RBV. Median CsA or Tac baseline trough levels were 141 and 7.70 ng/mL, respectively. HCV-RNA was quantified before treatment and after 3, 6, 12 h; days 1-6; and weeks 4, 12, 24, 48 and 78 (follow-up).

Results

Different kinetics were observed: early viral load declines with shoulder phase (n = 12), delayed monophasic without first phase (n = 5, all CsA), and biphasic (n = 1) or flat (n = 1), without influence of IL28B rs12979860 donor/recipient alleles. In LT, median declines (log₁₀ UI/mL) at week 4 were −3.62 and −1.49 for Tac vs. CsA; and −2.10 vs.−1.50 for IFN α-2a vs. α-2b (NS), with a trend for faster declines in Tac patients. Generalized additive models suggested a cut-off for predicting response in LT patients of 30 days for Tac, but beyond day 40 for CsA.

Conclusion

In LT, the viral kinetics during peg-IFN + RBV treatment is delayed. HCV-RNA at 48 h. may not be predictive of response, and CsA-immunosupressed patients with delayed monophasic declines may potentially achieve ETVR and SVR despite unfavourable or absent early viral load declines.     

The behavioral change of locomotor activity in a kaolin-induced hydrocephalus rat model: Evaluation of the effect on the dopaminergic system with progressive ventricle dilatation

Hydrocephalus is a pathological enlargement of the cerebral ventricle that results from an obstruction of the space containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. Motor abnormalities, such as abnormal gait and posture, are frequently seen in patients with hydrocephalus. The present study was designed to investigate locomotor activity in the elevated plus maze behaviorally. Hydrocephalus was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats by injection of 0.1 ml of 20% kaolin solution into the cisterna magna (n = 14). Control rats received the same volume of saline (n = 12). The rats were sacrificed at 3 days and 4 weeks after the elevated plus maze test. Tyrosine hydroxlyase (TH) immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra was evaluated by immunohistological staining. Hydrocephalic rats showed decreased motor activity for entries of arms when compared to control rats (p < 0.05). Compared to control rats, the number of TH immunoreactive neurons was significantly decreased in hydrocephalic rats. These results suggest that decreased motor responses due to ventricle enlargement in hydrocephalic rats are associated with the functional impairment of the central dopamine system.     

Activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors leads to brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in rat C6 cells

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which mediates neuronal growth, neuroprotection and synaptic modulation, is expressed in neurons and glial cells. The present study investigated the expression of BDNF in response to the activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) by (S)-3,5-Dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) in rat C6 glioma cells. The increase in BDNF mRNA in DHPG-stimulated cells, which peaked by 12 h after DHPG exposure, was attenuated by the mGluR5 inhibitor MPEP, but not by the mGluR1 inhibitor CPCCOEt. DHPG-induced BDNF mRNA expression reduced in cultures pretreated with protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, GFX, but not with calcium/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor, KN-93. Immunostaining revealed high BDNF expression in cytoplasm of C6 cells after 48 h of incubation with 1 μM DHPG, but this was lower in MPEP-pretreated cells. These results indicate that activation of group I mGluRs induces BDNF mRNA and protein expression via mGluR5 subtype and PKC-dependent signaling pathway in C6 glioma cells.     

Sigma-1 receptor-induced increase in murine spinal NR1 phosphorylation is mediated by the PKCα and ɛ, but not the PKCζ, isoforms

Our previous studies have demonstrated that intrathecal (i.t.) administration of a sigma-1 receptor agonist facilitated peripheral nociception via calcium-dependent second messenger cascades including protein kinase C (PKC). We also showed that activation of spinal sigma-1 receptors increased the phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor NR1 subunit (pNR1) in the spinal cord dorsal horn, which resulted in the potentiation of NMDA receptor function. The present study was designed to examine the effect of different PKC isoform inhibitors on sigma-1 receptor-mediated pain facilitation and increased spinal pNR1 expression in mice. The intrathecal injection of the sigma-1 receptor agonist, PRE-084 (PRE, 3 nmol/5 μl) increased the frequency of paw withdrawal responses to mechanical stimuli (0.6 g) and the number of spinal pNR1-immunoreactive (ir) cells. Intrathecal pretreatment with inhibitors (Go6976, PKC?V1–2 or PKC ζpseudosubstrate) of the PKCα, ? or ζ isoforms significantly reduced the PRE-induced pain facilitatory effect. On the other hand, the PRE-induced increase in the number of spinal pNR1-ir neurons was only blocked by inhibitors of the PKCα and PKC? isoforms, but not the PKCζ isoform. These findings demonstrate that the sigma-1 receptor-induced increase in spinal pNR1 expression is mediated by the PKCα and PKC? isoforms, which in turn contribute to the pain facilitation phenomenon. Conversely, the sigma-1 receptor activation of the PKCζ isoform appears to be involved in a pain signaling pathway that is independent of spinal pNR1 modulation.     

Serine/threonine protein phosphatases have no role in the inhibitory effects of low-frequency stimulation in perforant path kindling acquisition in rats

The use of low-frequency stimulation (LFS) as a therapy for epilepsy is currently being studied in experimental animals and patients with epilepsy. In the present study, the role of serine/threonine protein phosphatases in the inhibitory effects of LFS on perforant path kindling acquisition was investigated in rats. Animals were kindled by stimulation of perforant path in a stimulation using rapid kindling procedure (six stimulations per day). LFS (1 Hz) was applied immediately after termination of each kindling stimulation. FK506 (1 μM; i.c.v.), a serine/threonine protein phosphatase PP2B inhibitor and okadaic acid (1 μM; i.c.v.), a serine/threonine protein phosphatases PP1/2A inhibitor, were daily microinjected into the left ventricle 10 min before starting the stimulation protocol. Application of LFS retarded the kindling acquisition and delayed the expression of different kindled seizure stages significantly. In addition, LFS reduced the increment of daily afterdischarge duration during kindling development. Neither FK506 nor okadaic acid microinjection interfere with the antiepileptogenic effect of LFS on kindling parameters. Obtained results showed that activation of PP1/2A and PP2B, which play a critical role in LFS induced down-regulation of synaptic strength, had no role in mediating the inhibitory effects of LFS on perforant path kindling acquisition.     

Quetiapine reverses altered locomotor activity and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in rat caudate putamen following long-term haloperidol treatment

Haloperidol (HAL) is a typical antipsychotic drug and known to cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) that may be associated with the blockade of dopamine D2-receptors in nigrostriatal pathway by the drug. In contrast, quetiapine (QTP) is an atypical antipsychotic drug that has the lowest incidence of producing EPS in patients with schizophrenia, while improving psychosis symptoms. In the present study, we investigated the possibility of reversing the HAL-induced changes in locomotor activity and in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) of rats. Rats were administered HAL (2 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 3 months, followed by vehicle (VEH), QTP (10 mg/kg/day), HAL, or HAL + QTP for another 5 weeks. The locomotor activity and TH immunoreactivity of the rats were measured. Chronic administration of HAL caused significant increase in locomotor activity and lower levels of TH immunoreactivity in the caudate putamen of the striatum. When the long-term haloperidol treatment was removed, the change in TH immunoreactivity was normalized, while the HAL induced high level of locomotor activity was returned to normal level only in the rats that stopped HAL consumption and received QTP treatment. In the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental areas, all rats showed comparable numbers of TH-positive cell bodies, which had no shrinkage. These results support a previously proposed relationship between EPS and TH levels in the striatum and provide valuable preclinical information towards understanding why QTP produces a lowest incidence of EPS among antipsychotics and has been used to treat EPS caused by other antipsychotics, and eventually establish a principle of treating EPS.     

Cyclosporin A inhibits the decrease of CD4/CD8 expression induced by protein kinase C activation

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a powerful immunosuppressive drug widelyused in transplantation medicine. A major effect of CsA is inhibitionof the differentiation of immature double-positive (DP) CD4⁺CD8⁺thymocytes into mature single-positive (SP) CD4⁺CD8^– orCD4^–CD8⁺thymocytes. The mechanisms underlying the changesin CD4/CD8 expression during normal differentiation of thymocytesand the way CsA interferes with this differentiation processare still unknown. Here we show that protein kinase C (PKC)activation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) causes adecrease of both CD4 and CD8 expression at the cell surfacelevel and at the mRNA level in a CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cell line and infreshly isolated thymocytes. A PKC inhibitor, staurosporin,interferes with the differentiation from DP to SP in fetal thymusorgan culture system. These data suggest that the alternationof CD4/CD8 expression from DP to SP is dependent on PKC activation.CsA blocks this decrease of CD4/CD8 expression by PMA in vitro.Moreover, this PMA effect is also blocked by treatment withcycloheximlde. These results suggest that the reduction of CD4/CD8expression requires de novo synthesis of a protein(s) inducedin response to a signal conveyed by activated PKC. CsA may blockthe transition from DP to SP by inhibition of CD4/CD8 down-regulationinduced by PKC activation.     

Protein kinase C mRNA and protein expressions in hypobaric hypoxia-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats

Aim: Protein kinase C (PKC), cloned as a serine/threonine kinase, plays key roles in diverse intracellular signalling processes and in cardiovascular remodelling during pressure overload or volume overload. We looked for correlations between changes in PKC isoforms (levels and/or subcellular distributions) and cardiac remodelling during experimental hypobaric hypoxic environment (HHE)-induced pulmonary hypertension. Methods: To study the PKC system in the heart during HHE, 148 male Wistar rats were housed for up to 21 days in a chamber at the equivalent of 5500 m altitude level (10% O₂). Results: At 14 or more days of exposure to HHE, pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) was significantly increased. In the right ventricle (RV): (1) the expression of PKC-α protein in the cytosolic and membrane fractions was increased at 3–14 days and at 5–7 days of exposure respectively; (ii) the cytosolic expression of PKC-δ protein was increased at 1–5, 14 and 21 days of exposure; (3) the membrane expressions of the proteins were decreased at 14–21 (PKC-βII), 14–21 (PKC-γ), and 0.5–5 and 21 (PKC-ε) days of exposure; (4) the expression of the active form of PKC-α protein on the plasma membrane was increased at 3 days of exposure (based on semiquantitative analysis of the immunohistochemistry). In the left ventricle, the expressions of the PKC mRNAs, and of their cytosolic and membrane proteins, were almost unchanged. The above changes in PKC-α, which were strongly evident in the RV, occurred alongside the increase in PAP. Conclusion: PKC-α may help to modulate the right ventricular hypertrophy caused by pulmonary hypertension in HHE.     

血管紧张素Ⅱ2型受体拮抗剂EMA401对神经性疼痛模型大鼠的镇痛效应及机制研究

目的:观察血管紧张素Ⅱ2型受体拮抗剂EMA401对坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤(chronic constriction injury-CCI)模型大鼠的镇痛效应及背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)生长相关蛋白43(growth-associated protein-43,GAP-43)、蛋白激酶C(protein kinase C,PKC)和钙调素(calmodulin,CaM)表达的影响。方法:采用SD大鼠建立CCI模型,随机分为4组:模型组(model组),给予等体积生理盐水灌胃;低剂量组,按照EMA4015 mg/kg剂量灌胃;中剂量组,按照EMA401 10 mg/kg剂量灌胃;高剂量组,按照EMA401 20mg/kg剂量灌胃。另设假手术组给予等体积生理盐水灌胃。各组于术前、术后7d、14d和28d同一时间测定热缩足反射潜伏期(thermal withdrawal latency,TWL)和机械缩足阈值(mechanical withdrawal threshold,MWT)行为学指标。行为学检测完毕后,各组大鼠取腰段DRG,采用邻甲酚酞络合铜微板法检测DRG内Ca~(2+)浓度,采用Westem blotting和RT-PCR分析检测DRG内GAP-43、PKC和CaM蛋白和mRNA的相对表达量。结果:与model组比较,EMA401显著升高CCI大鼠TWL和MWT(P0.05);与model组比较,EMA401显著降低DRG内Ca~(2+)浓度及GAP-43、PKC、CaM蛋白和mRNA的相对表达量(P0.05)。结论:EMA401对CCI大鼠具有明显的镇痛效应,其机制可能与抑制DRG内Ca~(2+)浓度及GAP-43、PKC、CaM表达有关。     

Microinjection of different doses of norepinephrine into the caudate putamen produces opposing effects in rats

It has been proven that norepinephrine (NE) regulates antinociception through its action on alpha-adrenoceptors located in brain nuclei, spinal cord, and peripheral organs. However, the supraspinal mechanism of noradrenergic pain modulation is controversial. The present study was aimed at investigating the nociceptive effects induced by injecting different doses of NE and phentolamine into the caudate putamen (CPU) of rats. The thermal pain threshold of the rats was measured by performing a tail-flick test. The tail-flick latency (TFL) was measured at 2–60 min after microinjection of the drugs. Our results revealed that the thermal pain threshold increased (long TFL) after the administration of a low dose of NE (2 μg/2 μl) and decreased (short TFL) after injection of a high dose of NE (8 μg/2 μl). In contrast, the pain threshold decreased after the administration of a low dose of phentolamine (1 μg/2 μl), while it increased after injection of a high dose of phentolamine (4 μg/2 μl). These results indicated that the injection of different doses of NE in the CPU of the rats produced opposite effects on the pain threshold, as determined by the tail-flick tests.     

Beneficial effects of carbamylated erythropoietin against oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced astrocyte swelling: Proposed molecular mechanisms of action

Carbamylated erythropoietin (C-EPO), one of the erythropoietin derivatives, retains strong anti-edema and neuroprotective properties while lacking the hematopoietic complications of erythropoietin. This study investigated the intracellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-edema property of C-EPO. An in vitro model of astrocyte swelling was created by 5 h of oxygen–glucose deprivation and subsequent reperfusion (OGD/Rep). Astrocyte cultures were then treated with C-EPO or left as control cells. Here we show that increases in astrocyte volume, morphological cell swelling, and changes in ultrastructure after OGD/Rep were significantly mitigated by treatment with C-EPO (10 ng/ml). The decreases in AQP-4 phosphorylation after OGD/Rep were remarkably recovered by C-EPO treatment. The OGD/Rep-induced upregulations of AQP-4 mRNA and protein were also prevented by C-EPO treatment. Additional treatment with phorbol myristate acetate, an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), enhanced C-EPO-mediated neuroprotective effects, while that of H-7, an inhibitor of PKC, blocked these protections. Our findings establish that C-EPO effectively mitigates astrocyte swelling induced by ischemia and reperfusion-like injury. The modulation of AQP-4 phosphorylation and expression via the PKC pathway is participated in the neuroprotective effects of C-EPO.     

Evidence for a role of calcineurin in the development of retinocollicular fine topography

The fine-tuning of topographically organized projections in sensory systems is strongly influenced by electrical activity and use-dependent modifications in synaptic strength. Since calcineurin (CaN), a Ca(2+)-calmodulin dependent serine/threonine phosphatase has been associated with activity-dependent modifications in synaptic efficacy we studied the effects of systemic and local administration of CaN inhibitors during the critical period of development of the uncrossed retinocollicular projection in pigmented rats. We found that the expression of the catalytic subunit of calcineurin (CaNA) occurs throughout early development in the visual layers of the superior colliculus and peaks at PND14 when eye opening is complete. The functional blockade of CaN activity by means of a systemic treatment with cyclosporine A (CsA) during the second postnatal week, induces sprouting of uncrossed retinal axons outside their main terminal zones. Additionally, the local treatment with intracranial implants of Elvax loaded with either CsA or a cell-permeable CaN inhibitory peptide (CIP) resulted in a similar expansion of retinocollicular terminal fields. Taken together, these results suggest CaN as a key element for the development of fine tuning of retinocollicular topography.     

姜黄素对糖尿病大鼠心肌的保护作用*

 目的： 研究姜黄素对糖尿病大鼠心肌的保护作用及可能机制。方法: 雄性Wistar大鼠75只,随机抽取10只大鼠作为正常对照组,其余65只大鼠给予高糖高脂饮食喂养8周后腹腔注射链脲佐菌素40 mg/kg,给药72 h和7 d空腹血糖≥11.6 mmol/L为糖尿病模型成功大鼠。糖尿病大鼠随机分为糖尿病心肌病组、姜黄素小剂量治疗组和大剂量治疗组。测定心肌谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量,酶联免疫吸附试验检测血清心肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）的变化,Western blotting检测蛋白激酶C（PKC）蛋白表达。结果: 姜黄素治疗后可明显改善糖尿病所致的动物体重下降和空腹血糖升高,抑制心肌中MDA的产生并升高GSH-Px活性,减少血清中cTnI的释放,下调心肌组织PKC蛋白表达。结论: 姜黄素对大鼠糖尿病心肌病具有保护作用,其机制可能与抑制氧化应激有关。     

Calcineurin is not involved in some mitochondrial enzyme adaptations to endurance exercise training in rat skeletal muscle

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that calcineurin, a calcium-dependent protein phosphatase recently implicated in the signaling of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and fiber type conversion, is required to induce some mitochondrial enzyme adaptations to endurance exercise training in skeletal muscle. Three- to four-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats with an initial body weight ranging from 45 to 55 g were used in this study. The rats were randomly assigned to groups injected with either a specific calcineurin inhibitor, cyclosporin A (CsA), (group CI) or vehicle (group VI). CsA was subcutaneously injected into the rats at a rate of 50 mg·kg^–1 body weight per day for 10 days. The CI and VI groups were further assigned to sedentary (SED) or exercise training (EX) groups. In the EX group, the rats were trained for 10 days (90 min·day^–1, 14–20 m·min^–1, 10% grade). The citrate synthase (CS) activities in the soleus and plantaris muscles of the EX group rats were significantly higher than those of the SED group rats (p<0.001). Furthermore, 3--hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (3-HAD) activities in the soleus and plantaris muscles were significantly higher in the EX group rats than in the SED group rats (p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in CS and 3-HAD activities between the VI and CI groups. The interactions between CsA injection and exercise training were not statistically significant in any of the parameters. These results may suggest that calcineurin is not involved in some mitochondrial enzyme adaptations to endurance exercise training.S. Terada and H. Nakagawa contributed equally to this work.     

Tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} up-regulates Bcl-2 expression and decreases calcium-dependent apoptosis in human B cell lines

Group I and Epstein–Barr virus-negative Burkitt's lymphomacell lines and the B104 lymphoma cell line which expresses aphenotype of immature B cells undergo apoptosis after cross-linkingof their surface Ig receptors or after exposure to a calciumionophore. We show here that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- protectsthese B cell lines against Ca²⁺-dependent apoptosis. Protectionwas associated with up-regulatlon of bcl-2 mRNA and proteinexpression. The increase of Bcl-2 expression induced by TNF-was inhibited by chelerythrine, a specific inhibitor of proteinkinase C (PKC), suggesting that Bcl-2 expression was dependenton PKC activation. Furthermore, we show that phorbol estersand cyclosporin A (CsA), which prevent Ca²⁺-dependent apoptosis,up-regulated Bcl-2 expression. The effect of CsA on Bcl-2 expressionis controlled by calcineurin since we have shown that FK506but not rapamycin had the same effect on Bcl-2 expression, whereasokadaic acid, an inhibitor of phosphatases 1, 2A and 2C, wasineffective. These data provide direct evidence that TNF- preventsCa²⁺-dependent apoptosis by a Bcl-2-dependent mechanism mediatedby PKC.     

Molecular and electrophysiological changes in the prefrontal cortex-amygdala-dorsal periaqueductal grey pathway during persistent pain state and fear-conditioned analgesia

Fear-conditioned analgesia (FCA) is the reduction in pain responding which is expressed upon re-exposure to a context previously paired with an aversive stimulus. Projections along the prefrontal cortex (PFC)-amygdala-dorsal periaqueductal grey (dPAG) pathway may mediate FCA. However, there is a paucity of studies measuring both molecular and electrophysiological changes in this pathway in rats expressing persistent pain-related behaviour or FCA. Male Lister-hooded rats, with stimulating and recording electrodes implanted in the amygdala and dPAG, respectively, either received or did not receive footshock (0.4 mA) paired with context, followed 23.5 h later by an intraplantar injection of saline or formalin (50 μL, 2.5%) into the right hindpaw. Thirty minutes post-formalin/saline, rats were re-exposed to the context for 15 min, during which pain-related behaviours were assessed in addition to evoked field potential recordings in the amygdala-dPAG pathway. Immediately after the 15-minute trial, PFC tissue was isolated for measurement of total and phosphorylated extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) by western blotting. Formalin-evoked nociceptive behaviour in non-fear-conditioned rats was associated with increased field potential amplitude in the dPAG and increased relative expression of phospho-ERK in the PFC. These effects were abolished in rats expressing FCA. Fear conditioning in non-formalin treated rats was associated with increased phospho-ERK in the PFC but no change in field potential amplitude in the dPAG. Together, these data suggest differential, state-dependent alterations in electrophysiological activity and ERK phosphorylation along the PFC-amygdala-dPAG pathway during pain, conditioned fear, and FCA.     

Nicotine-induced up regulation of α4β2 neuronal nicotinic receptors is mediated by the protein kinase c-dependent phosphorylation of α4 subunits

Sustained exposure to nicotine is well known to increase the cell surface density of α4β2* neuronal nicotinic receptors both in vivo and in vitro, but the cellular mechanisms mediating this effect are equivocal. Using a pharmacological approach to investigate the effects of nicotine on receptor subunit expression and phosphorylation in SH-EP1 cells expressing human α4 and β2 nicotinic receptor subunits, we have demonstrated that incubation with nicotine for 24 h increased the expression of immature and mature forms of both α4 and β2 subunits in a concentration-dependent manner, and that inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC), but not cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibited the nicotine-induced increased expression of subunits. Incubation of cells with nicotine for 24 h also increased the phosphorylation of immature forms of α4 subunits similar to that induced by activation of either PKC or PKA. When cells were preincubated with nicotine, the PKC-mediated increased phosphorylation was inhibited; the PKA-mediated phosphorylation was unaltered. The phosphopeptide maps for immature α4 subunits following nicotine exposure or PKC activation were identical, and phosphoamino acid analyses indicated phosphorylation on serine residues only. Results indicate that nicotine-induced up regulation of α4β2 neuronal nicotinic receptors involves a PKC-dependent mechanism and likely reflects the ability of nicotine to activate PKC, leading to the phosphorylation of immature α4 subunits, promoting subunit assembly and receptor maturation. Because up regulation of these receptors has been implicated to mediate tolerance, locomotor sensitization and addiction to nicotine, results identify a potential new target for modulating the effects of nicotine on the brain.     

Hypoxia-induced accumulation of erythropoietin mRNA in isolated hepatocytes is inhibited by protein kinase C

To define the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in oxygen-dependent production of erythropoietin (EPO) in the liver, we have determined EPO messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in primary cultures of juvenile rat hepatocytes incubated at different oxygen tensions in the absence and presence of phorbol esters, vasopressin, and structurally different kinase inhibitors. Upon reduction of oxygen concentrations from 40% to 3% EPO mRNA in cultured hepatocytes increased markedly within 1.25 h, reached maximal values after 2.5 h and remained elevated for up to 72 h. Treatment of hepatocytes during 1.25–5 h of hypoxic exposure with phorbol 12-myristate-13 acetate (PMA) attenuated hypoxia-induced EPO mRNA levels dose-dependently by a maximum of approximately 50%. This inhibitory effect of PMA disappeared upon treatment for more than 5 h and was completely lost after incubation for 9 and 18 h in the presence of 10^–6 M and 10^–7 M PMA, respectively. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate and vasopressin also inhibited EPO mRNA accumulation, whereas 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate was ineffective. Western blot analysis of PKC isozymes revealed the presence of PKC alpha, beta II, delta, epsilon and zeta and provided no evidence that the PMA-induced inhibition of EPO expression was associated with depletion of any of these isozymes. Conversely, PMA-induced inhibition of EPO mRNA accumulation was paralleled by translocation of PKC alpha from cytosol to membranes and the time- and dose-dependent attenuation of the inhibitory effect of PMA on EPO mRNA levels was paralleled by down-regulation of PKC alpha. A dose-dependent inhibition of EPO mRNA formation, independent of effects on total RNA synthesis, as determined by [³H]uridine incorporation, was also found in the presence of the kinase inhibitor staurosporine (ED₅₀ 2×10^–8 M) and three structurally related derivatives with increased selectivity for PKC (RO 317549, ED₅₀ 1×10^–6 M; RO 318220, ED₅₀ 1× 10^–6 M and CGP 41251, ED₅₀ 4×10^–6 M). The markedly lower potency of the latter three compounds as compared to staurosporine suggests that this suppression of EPO gene induction was not mediated by inhibition of PKC. In summary the data indicate that PKC alpha is a negative modulator of EPO gene expression in hepatocytes. A kinase other than PKC, however, appears to be an essential element of hypoxic signalling.     

DHEA improves impaired activation of Akt and PKC ζ/λ‐GLUT4 pathway in skeletal muscle and improves hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin‐induced diabetes rats

Aim: Addition of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to a cultured skeletal muscle locally synthesizes 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It induced activation of glucose metabolism‐related signalling pathway via protein kinase B (Akt) and protein kinase C zeta/lambda (PKC ζ/λ)‐glucose transporter‐4 (GLUT4) proteins. However, such an effect of DHEA in vivo remains unclear. Methods: Using streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus, we tested the hypothesis that a single bout of DHEA injection in the rats improves hyperglycaemia and muscle GLUT4‐regulated signalling pathway. After 1 week of STZ injection (55 mg kg^?1) with male Wistar rats, fasting glucose concentrations were determined in a blood sample taken from the tail vein. Blood glucose levels were then monitored for 180 min after DHEA or sesame oil (control) was injected (n = 10 for each group). Results: Blood glucose levels decreased significantly for 30–150 min after 2 mg DHEA injection in the STZ rats. In the skeletal muscle, expression and translocation of GLUT4 protein, phosphorylation of Akt and PKC ζ/λ, and phosphofructokinase and hexokinase enzyme activities increased significantly by DHEA injection. However, DHEA‐induced improvements in Akt and PKC ζ/λ‐GLUT4 pathways were blocked by a DHT inhibitor. Conclusion: These results suggest that a single bout of DHEA injection can improve hyperglycaemia and activate the glucose metabolism‐related signalling pathway via Akt and PKC ζ/λ‐GLUT4 proteins of skeletal muscles in rats. Moreover, these results show that a DHEA‐induced increase in muscle glucose uptake and utilization might contribute to improvement in hyperglycaemia in type 1 diabetes mellitus.