Erythroid cell differentiation is characterized by nuclear matrix localization and phosphorylation of protein kinases C (PKC) alpha, delta, and zeta.
Protein kinases C (PKC) zeta expression and phosphorylation at nuclear level during dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-induced differentiation in Friend erythroleukemia cells have been previously reported, suggesting a possible role of this PKC isoform in the DMSO-related signaling. In order to shed more light on this tantalizing topic, we investigated PKC intracellular and sub-cellular localization and activity during DMSO-induced erythroid differentiation. Results indicated that at least PKC alpha, zeta, and delta are strongly and temporally involved in the DMSO-induced differentiation signals since their expression and phosphorylation, though at different extents, were observed during treatments. Intriguingly, while PKC alpha and zeta associate to the nuclear matrix during the differentiation event, PKC delta appears to be residentially associated to the nuclear matrix. Furthermore, an evident downregulation of the beta-globin gene transcription (differentiation hallmark) was detected upon a progressive inhibition of these PKC isoforms by means of specific inhibitors, indicating, therefore, that PKC alpha, zeta, and delta phosphorylation play a crucial role in the control of erythroid differentiation.
Marchisio
Marco
M
Cell Signalling Unit, Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Biomorfologia, University "G.d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
Santavenere
Eugenio
E
Paludi
Maya
M
Gaspari
Anna Rita
AR
Lanuti
Paola
P
Bascelli
Adriana
A
Ercolino
Eva
E
Di Baldassarre
Angela
A
Miscia
Sebastiano
S
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D041905:Erythroid Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D015530:Nuclear Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism*; D051571:Protein Kinase C-alpha; D051745:Protein Kinase C-delta; D000099221:Protein Kinase C zeta
D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D051571:Protein Kinase C-alpha; D051745:Protein Kinase C-delta; D000099221:Protein Kinase C zeta