Epac mediates a cAMP-to-PKC signaling in inflammatory pain: an isolectin B4(+) neuron-specific mechanism.
The epsilon isoform of protein kinase C (PKCepsilon) has emerged as a critical second messenger in sensitization toward mechanical stimulation in models of neuropathic (diabetes, alcoholism, and cancer therapy) as well as acute and chronic inflammatory pain. Signaling pathways leading to activation of PKCepsilon remain unknown. Recent results indicate signaling from cAMP to PKC. A mechanism connecting cAMP and PKC, two ubiquitous, commonly considered separate pathways, remains elusive. We found that, in cultured DRG neurons, signaling from cAMP to PKCepsilon is not mediated by PKA but by the recently identified cAMP-activated guanine exchange factor Epac. Epac, in turn, was upstream of phospholipase C (PLC) and PLD, both of which were necessary for translocation and activation of PKCepsilon. This signaling pathway was specific to isolectin B4-positive [IB4(+)] nociceptors. Also, in a behavioral model, cAMP produced mechanical hyperalgesia (tenderness) through Epac, PLC/PLD, and PKCepsilon. By delineating this signaling pathway, we provide a mechanism for cAMP-to-PKC signaling, give proof of principle that the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway-activating protein Epac also stimulates PKC, describe the first physiological function unique for the IB4(+) subpopulation of sensory neurons, and find proof of principle that G-protein-coupled receptors can activate PKC not only through the G-proteins alpha(q) and betagamma but also through alpha(s).
National Institutes of Health Pain Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA. hucho@itsa.ucsf.edu
Tim B
TB
Hucho
Olayinka A
OA
Dina
Jon D
JD
Levine
D000818:Animals; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology*; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000502:physiology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015398:Signal Transduction; D053675:Versicans
C482601:Epac protein, mouse; D006023:Glycoproteins; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors; D037102:Lectins; C508324:Vcan protein, rat; D053675:Versicans; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D011493:Protein Kinase C