A method for measuring protein kinase C activity in permeabilized T lymphocytes by using peptide substrates. Evidence for multiple pathways of kinase activation.
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.
Alexander
D R
DR
Cell Surface Biochemistry Laboratory, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, U.K.
Graves
J D
JD
Lucas
S C
SC
Cantrell
D A
DA
Crumpton
M J
MJ
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007295:Inositol Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D007295:Inositol Phosphates; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate