A method for measuring protein kinase C activity in permeabilized T lymphocytes by using peptide substrates. Evidence for multiple pathways of kinase activation

Biochem J. 1990 Jun 1;268(2):303-8. doi: 10.1042/bj2680303.

Abstract

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in human T lymphocytes is an immediate consequence of mitogenic signalling via the antigen-receptor complex and CD2 antigen. In order to investigate further the signal-transduction pathways which result in PKC activation, we have established a novel PKC assay system using streptolysin-O-permeabilized T cells. Known peptide substrates of PKC were introduced into permeabilized cells in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP, 3 mM-Mg2+ and 150 nM free Ca2+. The peptide found to have the lowest background phosphorylation had the sequence Pro-Leu-Ser-Arg-Thr-Leu-Ser-Val-Ala-Ala-Lys-Lys (peptide GS), and the phosphorylation of the peptide was increased up to 6-fold by direct activation of PKC with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. Induction of PKC activation with the UCHT1 antibody against the CD3 antigen, or with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]), increased peptide-GS phosphorylation by 2-3 fold. The specificity of PKC action on peptide GS was demonstrated by blocking increases in phosphorylation with a pseudosubstrate peptide PKC inhibitor. PKC activation by this technique could be detected within 1 min of adding external ligand. Dose-response curves revealed that PHA-induced production of inositol phosphates correlated closely with PKC activities, whereas only a partial correlation between these parameters was observed with GTP[S]. Our data are consistent with the presence of more than one G-protein-mediated pathway of PKC regulation in T cells. The quantitative PKC assay system described is both simple and reproducible, and its potential application to a wide range of cell types should prove useful in further investigations of PKC activation mechanisms.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / administration & dosage
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / pharmacology
  • Inositol Phosphates / metabolism
  • Kinetics
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phytohemagglutinins / administration & dosage
  • Phytohemagglutinins / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Substrate Specificity
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / enzymology*
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / administration & dosage
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Inositol Phosphates
  • Phytohemagglutinins
  • Guanosine Triphosphate
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate