Activation of protein kinase C triggers premature compaction in the four-cell stage mouse embryo.
During mouse preimplantation development, the cells of the mouse embryo undergo a progressive subcellular reorganization at compaction, which eventually results in the formation of two distinct cell types. We have investigated the effect that activators of the Ca2(+)-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC) have on mouse compaction. Phorbol ester activation of PKC caused premature compaction of four-cell embryos within a few minutes of addition followed by a prolonged decompaction phase after 1 hr. This response was dose-dependent to concentrations as low as 250 pg/ml. Diacylglycerides also caused compaction; however, it was more sustained than with phorbol esters and was not followed by a phase of decompaction. Inhibition of PKC with sphingosine blocks induced compaction in a dose-dependent manner and also blocks normal compaction of eight-cell embryos. A monoclonal antibody to the cell adhesion molecule, E-cadherin, which mediates mouse embryo compaction, completely blocks compaction induced by these activators of PKC. Indirect immunofluorescence with a monoclonal antibody to E-cadherin indicates that PKC activation causes a rapid shift in the localization of this cell adhesion molecule, which coincides with the observed compaction. These results suggest that PKC plays a role in the initiation of compaction through its effect either directly or indirectly on E-cadherin.
Department of Zoology, University of California, Davis 95616.
G K
GK
Winkel
J E
JE
Ferguson
M
M
Takeichi
R
R
Nuccitelli
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D004075:Diglycerides / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D051379:Mice; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism*; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
D015820:Cadherins; D004075:Diglycerides; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D013110:Sphingosine; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate