title: Protein kinase C regulation of cell spreading in the molluscan Biomphalaria glabrata embryonic (Bge) cell line.
abstract: Cellular adhesion and spreading are critical components involved in the processes of cell and tissue development, and immune responses in molluscs, but at present, little is known regarding the signaling pathways involved in these basic cellular functions. In the present study, the molluscan Biomphalaria glabrata embryonic (Bge) cell line was used as an in vitro model to study the signal transduction pathways regulating molluscan cell adhesion and spreading behavior. Western blot analysis using antibodies specific to mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) revealed the presence of an MAPK-like immunoreactive protein in Bge cells, that was phosphorylated upon exposure to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Moreover, Bge cell treatment with inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), Ras and MAPK kinase (Mek) suppressed PMA-induced expression of activated MAPK, suggesting that PKC-, Ras- and Mek-like molecules may be acting upstream of MAPK. Similarly, in vitro Bge cell-spreading assays were performed in conjunction with the same panel of inhibitors to determine the potential involvement of PKC, Ras and Mek in cellular adhesion/spreading. Results revealed a similar pattern of inhibition of cell-spreading behavior strongly implying that the Bge cell spreading also may be regulated through a MAPK-associated signal transduction pathway(s) involving proteins similar to PKC, Ras and Mek.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 53706, USA. humphrij@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Humphries
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elizondo
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Yoshino
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids; D000818:Animals; D053119:Benzophenanthridines; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000196:embryology*; D002460:Cell Line; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D010617:Phenanthridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D053119:Benzophenanthridines; D009281:Naphthalenes; D010617:Phenanthridines; C016299:chelerythrine; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C058819:calphostin C