The involvement of novel protein kinase C isozymes in influencing sensitivity of breast cancer MCF-7 cells to tumor necrosis factor-alpha

The Enigmatic Protein Kinase C-eta

Protein kinase C (PKC), a multi-gene family, plays critical roles in signal transduction and cell regulation. Protein kinase C-eta (PKCη) is a unique member of the PKC family since its regulation is distinct from other PKC isozymes. PKCη was shown to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation and cell death. It was also shown to contribute to chemoresistance in several cancers. PKCη has been associated with several cancers, including renal cell carcinoma, glioblastoma, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and acute myeloid leukemia. However, mice lacking PKCη were more susceptible to tumor formation in a two-stage carcinogenesis model, and it is downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, the role of PKCη in cancer remains controversial. The purpose of this review article is to discuss how PKCη regulates various cellular processes that may contribute to its contrasting roles in cancer.

Modular Total Synthesis of Protein Kinase C Activator (-)-Indolactam V

A concise, eight-step total synthesis of (-)-indolactam V, a nanomolar agonist of protein kinase C, is reported. The synthesis relies upon an efficient copper-catalyzed amino acid arylation to establish the indole C4-nitrogen bond. This cross-coupling method is applicable to a range of hydrophobic amino acids, providing a platform for further diversification of indolactam alkaloid scaffolds and studies on their potent biological activity.

PKCη is an anti-apoptotic kinase that predicts poor prognosis in breast and lung cancer

The successful treatment of cancer in a disseminated stage using chemotherapy is limited by the occurrence of drug resistance, often mediated by anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Thus the challenge is to pinpoint the underlying key factors and to develop therapies for their direct targeting. Protein kinase C (PKC) enzymes are promising candidates, as some PKCs were shown to be involved in regulation of apoptosis. Our studies and others have shown that PKCη is an anti-apoptotic kinase, able to confer protection on tumour cells against stress and chemotherapy. We have demonstrated that PKCη shuttles between the cytoplasm and the nucleus and that upon DNA damage is tethered at the nuclear membrane. The C1b domain mediates translocation of PKCη to the nuclear envelope and, similar to the full-length protein, could also confer protection against cell death. Furthermore, its localization in cell and nuclear membranes in breast cancer biopsies of neoadjuvant-treated breast cancer patients was an indicator for poor survival and a predictor for the effectiveness of treatment. PKCη is also a novel biomarker for poor prognosis in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thus PKCη presents a potential target for therapy where inhibition of its activity and/or translocation to membranes could interfere with the resistance to chemotherapy.

The unique protein kinase Cη: implications for breast cancer (review)

Deregulation of key signal transduction pathways that govern important cellular processes leads to cancer. The development of effective therapeutics for cancer warrants a comprehensive understanding of the signaling pathways that are deregulated in cancer. The protein kinase C (PKC) family has served as an attractive target for cancer therapy for decades owing to its crucial roles in several cellular processes. PKCη is a novel member of the PKC family that plays critical roles in various cellular processes such as growth, proliferation, differentiation and cell death. The regulation of PKCη appears to be unique compared to other PKC isozymes, and there are conflicting reports regarding its role in cancer. This review focuses on the unique aspects of PKCη in terms of its structure, regulation and subcellular distribution and speculates on how these features could account for its distinct functions. We have also discussed the functional implications of PKCη in cancer with particular emphasis on breast cancer.

Upregulation of PKCη by PKCε and PDK1 involves two distinct mechanisms and promotes breast cancer cell survival

BACKGROUND

Protein kinase C (PKC) serves as the receptor for tumor-promoting phorbol esters, which are potent activators of conventional (c) and novel (n) PKCs. We recently showed that these activators induced selective upregulation of PKCη in breast cancer cells. The objective of this study is to understand unique regulation of PKCη and its importance in breast cancer.

METHODS

The levels of PKC isozymes were monitored in breast cancer cells following treatment with inhibitors of kinases, proteasome and proteases by Western blotting. PKCε was introduced by adenoviral delivery. PKCη and PDK1 were depleted by siRNA silencing. Cell growth was determined by the MTT or clonal assay.

RESULTS

The general PKC inhibitors Gö 6983 and bisindolylmaleimide but not cPKC inhibitor Gö 6976 led to substantial PKCη downregulation, which was partly rescued by the introduction of nPKCε. Inhibition of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) by Ly294002 or knockdown of PDK1 also led to downregulation of basal PKCη but had no effect on PKC activator-induced upregulation of PKCη. Proteasome inhibitors blocked PKCη downregulation triggered by PDK1 inhibition/depletion but not by Gö 6983. PKCη level increased in malignant but not in non-tumorigenic or pre-malignant cells in the progressive MCF-10A series associated with activated PDK1, and knockdown of PKCη inhibited breast cancer cell growth and clonogenic survival.

CONCLUSION

Upregulation of PKCη contributes to breast cancer cell growth and targeting either PKCε or PDK1 triggers PKCη downregulation but involves two distinct mechanisms.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The status of PKCη may serve as a potential biomarker for breast cancer malignancy.

Protein kinase Cη is targeted to lipid droplets

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of kinases that regulate numerous cellular functions. They are classified into three subfamilies, i.e., conventional PKCs, novel PKCs, and atypical PKCs, that have different domain structures. Generally, PKCs exist as a soluble protein in the cytosol in resting cells and they are recruited to target membranes upon stimulation. In the present study, we found that PKCη tagged with EGFP distributed in lipid droplets (LD) and induced a significant reduction in LD size. Two other novel PKCs, PKCδ and PKCε, also showed some concentration around LDs, but it was less distinct and less frequent than that of PKCη. Conventional and atypical PKCs (α, βII, γ, and ζ) did not show any preferential distribution around LDs. 1,2-Diacylglycerol, which can activate novel PKCs without an increase of Ca(2+) concentration, is the immediate precursor of triacylglycerol and exists in LDs. The present results suggest that PKCη modifies lipid metabolism by phosphorylating unidentified targets in LDs.

Novel regulation of protein kinase C-η

Protein kinase C (PKC) is the receptor for tumor promoting phorbol esters, which are potent activators of conventional and novel PKCs, but persistent treatment with phorbol esters leads to downregulation of these PKCs. However, PKCη, a novel PKC isozyme, resists downregulation by tumor-promoting phorbol esters, but little is known about how PKCη level is regulated. Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation play an important role in regulating activity and stability of PKCs. In the present study, we have investigated the molecular mechanism of PKCη regulation. Several PKC activators, including phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and indolactam V caused upregulation of PKCη, whereas the general PKC inhibitor Gö 6983, but not the conventional PKC inhibitor Gö 6976 led to the downregulation of PKCη. Upregulation of PKCη was associated with an increase in phosphorylation of PKCη. Silencing of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1, which phosphorylates PKCη at the activation loop, failed to prevent PKC activator-induced upregulation of PKCη. Knockdown of PKCε but not PKCα inhibited PKC activator-induced upregulation of PKCη. Thus, our results suggest that the regulation of PKCη is unique and PKCε is required for the PKC activator-induced upregulation of PKCη.

Localization of PKCη in cell membranes as a predictor for breast cancer response to treatment

BACKGROUND

Successful treatment of breast cancer is frequently limited by the resistance of tumors to chemotherapy. Recent studies suggested a role for protein kinase C (PKC) in the resistance to chemotherapy. Here we used retrospective analysis of breast cancer biopsies of neoadjuvantly treated patients to investigate the correlation of PKC expression with aggressiveness and resistance to chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Our cohort (n = 25) included patients with advanced and aggressive breast cancers, who underwent neoadjuvant therapy with the CAF regimen (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, fluorouracil). Core biopsies (pre-chemotherapy) and surgical biopsies of primary tumors and lymph node metastases (post-chemotherapy) were scored for PKCeta (PKCh) and PKCepsilon (PKCe) expression in the cytoplasm, cell membrane, nuclear membrane, and the nucleus.

RESULTS

Our results showed increased expression of PKCh (not PKCe) in the cytoplasm and cell membranes of post-chemotherapy biopsies (p = 0.03). PKCh presence in cell membranes, indicating activation, was in correlation with poor survival (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

PKCh staining in cell and nuclear membranes is an indicator for poor survival and a predictor for the effectiveness of neoadjuvant treatment. Other avenues of treatment should be considered for these patients. PKCh presents a target for therapy where inhibition of its activity and/or translocation to membranes could interfere with the resistance to chemotherapy.

DNA damage targets PKCη to the nuclear membrane via its C1b domain

Translocation to cellular membranes is one of the hallmarks of PKC activation, occurring as a result of the generation of lipid secondary messengers in target membrane compartments. The activation-induced translocation of PKCs and binding to membranes is largely directed by their regulatory domains. We have previously reported that PKCη, a member of the novel subfamily and an epithelial specific isoform, is localized at the cytoplasm and ER/Golgi and is translocated to the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope upon short-term activation by PMA. Here we show that PKCη is shuttling between the cytoplasm and the nucleus and that upon etoposide induced DNA damage is tethered at the nuclear envelope. Although PKCη expression and its phosphorylation on the hydrophobic motif (Ser675) are increased by etoposide, this phosphorylation is not required for its accumulation at the nuclear envelope. Moreover, we demonstrate that the C1b domain is sufficient for translocation to the nuclear envelope. We further show that, similar to full-length PKCη, the C1b domain could also confer protection against etoposide-induced cell death. Our studies demonstrate translocation of PKCη to the nuclear envelope, and suggest that its spatial regulation could be important for its cellular functions including effects on cell death.

Involvement of PKC in TPA-potentiated apoptosis induction during hemin-mediated erythroid differentiation in K562 cells

Triggering differentiation has been employed as a strategy to inhibit cell proliferation and accelerate apoptosis in malignant cells. To better understand the mechanisms underlying differentiation-mediated regulation of apoptosis, we have studied the effects of PKC pathway with an activator of the protein kinase C, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), during hemin-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 erythroleukemia cells. K562 cell line has been used as a model of common progenitor of erythroblasts and magakaryocytes and can be differentiated into erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages by hemin and TPA, respectively. TPA induced almost complete loss of proliferation during megakaryocytic differentiation in K562 cells. However, upon hemin-mediated erythroid differentiation, the growth rate was slightly decreased at the subtoxic concentrations. Cotreatment with TPA at the hemin-treated K562 cells produced a concentration-dependent increase in cell injuries with apoptotic changes and significantly diminished the erythroid phenotype. To better understand the events implicated, we have used the PKC inhibitors such as bisindolylmaleimide II, RO318220, and the PKCbeta inhibitor. Our data showed that TPA-potentiated apoptosis in hemin-treated K562 cells was rescued by the application of the PKC inhibitors. Taken together, our results suggested the involvement of PKC in TPA-potentiated apoptosis induction during hemin-mediated erythroid differentiation in K562 cells.

Bisindolylmaleimides in anti-cancer therapy - more than PKC inhibitors

Bisindolylmaleimide derivatives were originally described as protein kinase C inhibitors. However, several studies have shown that bisindolylmaleimides target several other signaling molecules. The review presents bisindolylmaleimide-mediated PKC-dependent and PKC-independent biological effects, such as reversal of MDR and modulation of Wnt signaling through GSK-3b and b-catenin. Importantly, the potent proapoptotic properties of bisindolylmaleimides are also described. Bis-IX appears as the most efficient activator of intrinsic apoptotic pathway and additionally, facilitates extrinsic apoptosis. Presented molecular mechanisms indicate that bisindolylmaleimides could be useful agents in anticancer therapy. They repress uncontrolled proliferation and restore the sensitivity to chemotherapy which allows eradication of cancer cells.

Inhibition of protein kinases C prevents murine cytomegalovirus replication

For successful establishment of infection and initiation of the replication cycle, murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) utilizes cellular structures and functions, including cell-membrane penetration, capsid dismantling and cytosolic transport of viral DNA into the nucleus. These early events of MCMV infections are dependent on cellular regulatory mechanisms, primarily protein phosphorylation. In the present study, protein kinase inhibitors were used to explore the role of protein phosphorylation mediated by protein kinases C (PKCs) in the very early events of MCMV infection. Inhibitory effects were determined by immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis of MCMV IE1 and E1 protein expression and by production of infectious virions in cell culture. It was found that H-7, a broadly specific inhibitor of cellular protein kinases, prevented virus replication in a dose-dependent and reversible manner, and that the block in replication occurred very early in infection. More specific PKC inhibitors (sangivamycin, calphostin C and bisindolylmaleimide II), Ca(2+)/calmodulin inhibitors (EDTA and W7) and phorbol esters (PMA) were used to dissect PKC-subclass contribution in the very early events of MCMV replication. The results indicate that the role of diacylglycerol/phorbol ester-dependent but calcium-independent PKCs is essential for establishment of MCMV infection in the host cell, starting at a very early stage of infection.

Potentiation of genomic actions of estrogen by membrane actions in mcf-7 cells and the involvement of protein kinase C activation

It is now well established that estrogens (E) have at least two kinds of actions: genomic and nongenomic. But the relationship between these actions has hardly been explored. In this study we investigated this relationship in MCF-7 cells, a human breast cancer cell line, and explored the possible involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways. For this purpose a two-pulse paradigm was used: cells were treated with 17beta-estradiol (E), E conjugated with bovine serum albumin (E-BSA or fE'), or other test agents in the first pulse and with E in the second pulse following a 4-h interval. An E-BSA+E paradigm was used to show that replacement of E with the membrane-impermeable E-BSA in the first pulse could potentiate genomic actions of E, in the second pulse. To investigate involvement of signaling pathways, two PKC activators, phorbol 12,13-diacetate (PDAc) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and inhibitors (chelerythrine chloride and H7-dihydrochloride) were used to replace E or E-BSA in the first pulse. PDAc was as effective as E or E-BSA in potentiating the genomic action of E in the second pulse, while PMA was almost without an effect. Conversely, the potentiating effects of E-BSA and PDAc were blocked by chelerythrine chloride but, interestingly, not by H7. The exact reason underlying these differences is not known. In summary, in MCF-7 cells a membrane action of E can potentiate a later genomic action and involves PKC signaling.

Down-regulation of protein kinase Ceta by antisense oligonucleotides sensitises A549 lung cancer cells to vincristine and paclitaxel

Previous studies point to protein kinase C (PKC) isozyme eta as a resistance factor in cancer cells. Therefore, we investigated whether down-regulation of PKCeta with second generation antisense oligonucleotides (ODNs) would sensitise A549 human lung carcinoma cells to cytostatics. The effects were compared to the outcome of Bcl-xL down-regulation. Upon treatment with antisense ODNs, PKCeta and Bcl-xL were both significantly reduced on mRNA and protein level. Down-regulation of either PKCeta or Bcl-xL in combination with vincristine or paclitaxel resulted in a significant increase in caspase-3 activity compared to that in the control oligonucleotide treated cells. In addition, PKCeta down-regulation augmented vincristine-induced dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. In conclusion, these results confirm that PKCeta might represent a considerable resistance factor and an interesting target to improve anticancer chemotherapy.

Down-regulation of protein kinase Cη potentiates the cytotoxic effects of exogenous tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand in PC-3 prostate cancer cells

Tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a highly promising candidate for the treatment of cancer because it elicits cell death in the majority of tumor cells while sparing most normal cells. Some cancers, however, display resistance to TRAIL, suggesting that treatment with TRAIL alone may be insufficient for cancer therapy. In the present study, we explored whether the apoptotic responsiveness of PC-3 prostate cancer cells to TRAIL could be enhanced by targeting the novel protein kinase C (PKC) isoform η. Transfection of PC-3 cells with second-generation chimeric antisense oligonucleotides against PKCη caused a time- and dose-dependent knockdown of PKCη, as revealed by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Knockdown of PKCη resulted in a marked amplification of TRAIL's cytotoxic activity. Cell killing could be substantially prevented by the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. In addition, PKCη knockdown and administration of TRAIL significantly synergized in activation of caspase-3 and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Knockdown of PKCη augmented TRAIL-induced dissipation of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol, indicating that PKCη acts upstream of mitochondria. We conclude that PKCη represents a considerable resistance factor with respect to TRAIL and a promising target to exploit the therapeutic potential of TRAIL.

Proteolytic activation of protein kinase C-epsilon by caspase-mediated processing and transduction of antiapoptotic signals

Several novel protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes have been identified as substrates for caspase-3. We have previously shown that novel PKCepsilon is cleaved during apoptosis in MCF-7 cells that lack any functional caspase-3. In the present study, we show that in vitro-translated PKCepsilon is processed by human recombinant caspase-3, -7, and -9. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) triggered processing of PKCepsilon to a 43-kDa carboxyl-terminal fragment, and cell-permeable caspase inhibitors prevented TNF-induced processing of PKCepsilon in MCF-7 cells. PKCepsilon was cleaved primarily at the SSPD downward arrow G site to generate two fragments with an approximate molecular mass of 43 kDa. It was also cleaved at the DDVD downward arrow C site to generate two fragments with molecular masses of 52 and 35 kDa. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with TNF resulted in the activation of PKCepsilon, and mutation at the SSPD downward arrow G (D383A) site inhibited proteolytic activation of PKCepsilon. Overexpression of wild-type but not dominant-negative PKCepsilon in MCF-7 cells delayed TNF-induced apoptosis, and mutation at the D383A site prevented antiapoptotic activity of PKCepsilon. These results suggest that cleavage of PKCepsilon by caspase-7 at the SSPD downward arrow G site results in the activation of PKCepsilon. Furthermore, activation of PKCepsilon was associated with its antiapoptotic function.

Evidence for the biosynthesis of bryostatins by the bacterial symbiont "Candidatus Endobugula sertula" of the bryozoan Bugula neritina

The marine bryozoan, Bugula neritina, is the source of the bryostatins, a family of macrocyclic lactones with anticancer activity. Bryostatins have long been suspected to be bacterial products. B. neritina harbors the uncultivated gamma proteobacterial symbiont "Candidatus Endobugula sertula." In this work several lines of evidence are presented that show that the symbiont is the most likely source of bryostatins. Bryostatins are complex polyketides similar to bacterial secondary metabolites synthesized by modular type I polyketide synthases (PKS-I). PKS-I gene fragments were cloned from DNA extracted from the B. neritina-"E. sertula" association, and then primers specific to one of these clones, KSa, were shown to amplify the KSa gene specifically and universally from total B. neritina DNA. In addition, a KSa RNA probe was shown to bind specifically to the symbiotic bacteria located in the pallial sinus of the larvae of B. neritina and not to B. neritina cells or to other bacteria. Finally, B. neritina colonies grown in the laboratory were treated with antibiotics to reduce the numbers of bacterial symbionts. Decreased symbiont levels resulted in the reduction of the KSa signal as well as the bryostatin content. These data provide evidence that the symbiont E. sertula has the genetic potential to make bryostatins and is necessary in full complement for the host bryozoan to produce normal levels of bryostatins. This study demonstrates that it may be possible to clone bryostatin genes from B. neritina directly and use these to produce bryostatins in heterologous host bacteria.

Differential sensitivity of breast cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor-alpha: involvement of protein kinase C

We have compared several breast cancer cell lines that differ in their responsiveness to TNF to determine the involvement of PKC isozymes in regulating sensitivity of breast cancer cells to TNF. While MCF-7 and BT-20 cells were responsive to TNF without any metabolic inhibitors, CAMA-1 and SKBR-3 cells responded to TNF in the presence of cycloheximide; MDA-MB-231 and Hs578t cells were resistant to TNF even in the presence of cycloheximide. Bisindolylmaleimide (BIM), an inhibitor of PKC, either alone (MCF-7 and BT-20) or in combination with cycloheximide enhanced sensitivity of these cells to TNF. The PKC isozyme profile of MCF-7 cells was similar to BT-20 cells and that of CAMA-1 cells was similar to SKBR-3 cells. MCF-7, BT-20 and MDA-MB-231 cells that were most responsive to BIM-mediated sensitization to TNF contained relatively high level of PKC epsilon and proteolytic cleavage of PKC epsilon correlated with TNF-induced cell death. BIM did not inhibit NF-kappa B activation by TNF but caused activation of caspases and enhanced cleavage of PKC delta and -epsilon. These results suggest that proteolytic cleavage of PKC epsilon may be associated with PKC inhibitor mediated sensitization of breast cancer cells to TNF.

Overexpression of protein kinase C-eta attenuates caspase activation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced cell death

The protein kinase C (PKC) signal transduction pathway regulates cell death by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). We previously showed that the induction of novel PKC eta isozyme by PKC activators correlated with their ability to protect MCF-7 breast cancer cells against TNF cytotoxicity. In the present study, we have transfected PKC eta in MCF-7 cells to directly examine its involvement in cell death by TNF. Overexpression of PKC eta delayed TNF-induced cell death in MCF-7 cells. TNF caused a rapid activation of caspase-8 and -7 in cells transfected with a vector. The activation of these caspases was potentiated by the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide (BIM) which downregulates PKC eta and sensitizes cells to TNF. Overexpression of PKC eta delayed the activation of caspase-8 and -7 by both TNF and the combination of BIM and TNF. These results suggest that PKC eta protects MCF-7 cells against TNF-induced cell death by preventing the activation of caspases.

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induces protein kinase ceta-specific proliferative response in astrocytic tumor cells

Protein kinase C (PKC) activation has been implicated in cellular proliferation in neoplastic astrocytes. The roles for specific PKC isozymes in regulating this glial response, however, are not well understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of PKC isozymes and the role of PKC-eta expression in regulating cellular proliferation in two well characterized astrocytic tumor cell lines (U-1242 MG and U-251 MG) with different properties of growth in cell culture. Both cell lines expressed an array of conventional (alpha, betaI, betaII, and gamma) and novel (theta and epsilon) PKC isozymes that can be activated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Another novel PKC isozyme, PKC-eta, was only expressed by U-251 MG cells. In contrast, PKC-delta was readily detected in U-1242 MG cells but was present only at low levels in U-251 MG cells. PMA (100 nm) treatment for 24 h increased cell proliferation by over 2-fold in the U-251 MG cells, whereas it decreased the mitogenic response in the U-1242 MG cells by over 90%. When PKC-eta was stably transfected into U-1242 MG cells, PMA increased cell proliferation by 2.2-fold, similar to the response of U-251 MG cells. The cell proliferation induced by PMA in both the U-251 MG and U-1242-PKC-eta cells was blocked by the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide (0.5 micrometer) and the MEK inhibitor, PD 98059 (50 micrometer). Transient transfection of wild type U-251 with PKC-eta antisense oligonucleotide (1 micrometer) also blocked the PMA-induced increase in [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. The data demonstrate that two glioblastoma lines, with functionally distinct proliferative responses to PMA, express different novel PKC isozymes and that the differential expression of PKC-eta plays a determining role in the different proliferative capacity.

TNF-induced signaling in apoptosis

Out of the almost 17 members of the TNF superfamily, TNF is probably the most potent inducer of apoptosis. TNF activates both cell-survival and cell-death mechanisms simultaneously. Activation of NF-kB-dependent genes regulates the survival and proliferative effects pf TNF, whereas activation of caspases regulates the apoptotic effects. TNF-induced apoptosis is mediated primarily through the activation of type I receptors, the death domain of which recruits more than a dozen different signaling proteins, which together are considered part of an apoptotic cascade. This cascade does not, however, account for the role of reactive oxygen intermediates, ceramide, phospholipases, and serine proteases which are also implicated in TNF-induced apoptosis. This cascade also does not explain how type II TNF receptors which lack the death domain, induce apoptosis. Nevertheless, this review of apoptosis signaling will be limited to those proteins that makeup the cascade.

Involvement of protein kinase C-beta and ceramide in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced but not Fas-induced apoptosis of human myeloid leukemia cells

The role of protein kinase C-beta (PKC-beta) in apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (mAb) in the human myeloid HL-60 leukemia cell line was studied by using its variant HL-525, which is deficient in PKC-beta. In contrast to the parental HL-60 cells, HL-525 is resistant to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis but sensitive to anti-Fas mAb-induced apoptosis. Both cell types expressed similar levels of the TNF-receptor I, whereas the Fas receptor was detected only in HL-525 cells. Transfecting the HL-525 cells with an expression vector containing PKC-beta reestablished their susceptibility to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. The apoptotic effect of TNF-alpha in HL-60 and the transfectants was abrogated by fumonisin, an inhibitor of ceramide generation, and by the peptide Ac-YVAD-BoMK, an inhibitor of caspase-1 and -4. Supplementing HL-525 cells with exogenous ceramides bypassed the PKC-beta deficiency and induced apoptosis, which was also restrained by the caspase-1 and -4 inhibitor. The apoptotic effect of anti-Fas mAb in HL-525 cells was abrogated by the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine and glutathione and by the peptide z-DEVD-FMK, an inhibitor of caspase-3 and -7. We suggest that TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis involves PKC-beta and then ceramide and, in turn, caspase-1 and/or -4, whereas anti-Fas mAb-induced apoptosis utilizes reactive oxygen intermediates and, in turn, caspase-3 and/or -7.

Effect of cholesteryl hemisuccinate on the interfacial properties of phosphatidylcholine bilayers

Cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHEMS) is an amphipathic lipid that can regulate cell growth. A comparison of the effects of CHEMS and cholesterol on 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayers was investigated using fluorescence techniques. In liquid-crystalline phase POPC bilayers, CHEMS increased the interfacial surface charge, but was less effective than cholesterol in reducing acyl chain mobility and interfacial hydration. In liquid-crystalline phase DPPC bilayers, CHEMS and cholesterol were equally effective in reducing acyl chain mobility. Similar to the POPC matrix, CHEMS increased the interfacial surface charge and cholesterol decreased the surface hydration. The different effect of cholesterol and CHEMS on acyl chain mobility may be due to a preferential interaction of cholesterol with POPC. In gel phase DPPC bilayers, CHEMS and a succinylated pyrenyl cholesterol analog exhibited different effects on membrane physical-chemical properties than cholesterol. Succinylation also increased the rate of transfer of the pyrenyl cholesterol analog between single unilamellar vesicles approximately seven fold. This process demonstrated first-order kinetics which indicated that transbilayer migration was not a rate-limiting step. The succinylation of cholesterol places a carboxyl group at the lipid-water interface and the sterol ring deeper in the bilayer. For a structural model to explain its biological properties, CHEMS should be considered a bulky fatty acid.

Differential downstream functions of protein kinase Ceta and -theta in EL4 mouse thymoma cells

Sensitive EL4 mouse thymoma cells (s-EL4) respond to phorbol esters with growth inhibition, adherence to substrate, and production of cytokines including interleukin 2. Since these cells express several of the phorbol ester-sensitive protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes, the function of each isozyme remains unclear. Previous studies demonstrated that s-EL4 cells expressed substantially more PKCeta and PKCtheta than did EL4 cells resistant to phorbol esters (r-EL4). To examine potential roles for PKCeta and PKCtheta in EL4 cells, wild type and constitutively active versions of the isozymes were transiently expressed using a Sindbis virus system. Expression of constitutively active PKCeta, but not PKCtheta, in s- and r-EL4 cells altered cell morphology and cytoskeletal structure in a manner similar to that of phorbol ester treatment, suggesting a role for PKCeta in cytoskeletal organization. Prolonged treatment of s-EL4 cells with phorbol esters results in inhibition of cell cycling along with a decreased expression of most of the PKC isozymes, including PKCtheta. Introduction of virally expressed PKCtheta, but not PKCeta, overcame the inhibitory effects of the prolonged phorbol ester treatment on cell cycle progression, suggesting a possible involvement of PKCtheta in cell cycle regulation. These results support differential functions for PKCeta and PKCtheta in T cell activation.