title: Neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells involves changes in protein kinase C-theta distribution and molecular properties.
abstract: In this study we demonstrate that the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line expresses the novel protein kinase C isozyme designated PKC-&theta;. The isozyme is almost completely localized in the nuclear compartment of proliferating cells. Following stimulation with the nerve growth factor, PKC-&theta; is redistributed into the cytoplasm and the outgrowing neurite processes, mostly as a cytoskeletal associated kinase. This event is accompanied by an eightfold increase in the expression level and by the appearance of specific modifications of PKC-&theta; molecule. Conversely, the kinase is down-regulated once cells reach the terminally differentiated state displaying a neuron-like phenotype. These data suggest a functional role for the kinase in the regulation of cytoskeletal modeling along the multistage differentiation process of PC12 cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Biochemistry Section, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, Genoa, 1-16132, Italy. traspar@csita.unige.it
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sparatore
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patrone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Passalacqua
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pedrazzi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pontremoli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Melloni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D003571:Cytochalasin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism*; D000074121:Protein Kinase C-theta; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D003571:Cytochalasin B; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; C489591:Prkcq protein, rat; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D000074121:Protein Kinase C-theta