Protein kinase C-alpha activity is required for respiratory syncytial virus fusion to human bronchial epithelial cells.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection activates protein kinase C (PKC), but the precise PKC isoform(s) involved and its role(s) remain to be elucidated. On the basis of the activation kinetics of different signaling pathways and the effect of various PKC inhibitors, it was reasoned that PKC activation is important in the early stages of RSV infection, especially RSV fusion and/or replication. Herein, the role of PKC-alpha during the early stages of RSV infection in normal human bronchial epithelial cells is determined. The results show that the blocking of PKC-alpha activation by classical inhibitors, pseudosubstrate peptides, or the overexpression of dominant-negative mutants of PKC-alpha in these cells leads to significantly decreased RSV infection. RSV induces phosphorylation, activation, and cytoplasm-to-membrane translocation of PKC-alpha. Also, PKC-alpha colocalizes with virus particles and is required for RSV fusion to the cell membrane. Thus, PKC-alpha could provide a new pharmacological target for controlling RSV infection.
San-Juan-Vergara
Homero
H
The Joy McCann Culverhouse Airways Disease Research Center, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Peeples
Mark E
ME
Lockey
Richard F
RF
Mohapatra
Shyam S
SS
D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000502:physiology*; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D051571:Protein Kinase C-alpha; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*
C496628:PRKCA protein, human; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D051571:Protein Kinase C-alpha