title: PKCθ activation in pancreatic acinar cells by gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors is needed for stimulation of numerous important cellular signaling cascades.
abstract: The novel PKCθ isoform is highly expressed in T-cells, brain and skeletal muscle and originally thought to have a restricted distribution. It has been extensively studied in T-cells and shown to be important for apoptosis, T-cell activation and proliferation. Recent studies showed its presence in other tissues and importance in insulin signaling, lung surfactant secretion, intestinal barrier permeability, platelet and mast-cell functions. However, little information is available for PKCθ activation by gastrointestinal (GI) hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors. In the present study we used rat pancreatic acinar cells to explore their ability to activate PKCθ and the possible interactions with important cellular mediators of their actions. Particular attention was paid to cholecystokinin (CCK), a physiological regulator of pancreatic function and important in pathological processes affecting acinar function, like pancreatitis. PKCθ-protein/mRNA was present in the pancreatic acini, and T538-PKCθ phosphorylation/activation was stimulated only by hormones/neurotransmitters activating phospholipase C. PKCθ was activated in time- and dose-related manner by CCK, mediated 30% by high-affinity CCK(A)-receptor activation. CCK stimulated PKCθ translocation from cytosol to membrane. PKCθ inhibition (by pseudostrate-inhibitor or dominant negative) inhibited CCK- and TPA-stimulation of PKD, Src, RafC, PYK2, p125(FAK) and IKKα/β, but not basal/stimulated enzyme secretion. Also CCK- and TPA-induced PKCθ activation produced an increment in PKCθ's direct association with AKT, RafA, RafC and Lyn. These results show for the first time the PKCθ presence in pancreatic acinar cells, its activation by some GI hormones/neurotransmitters and involvement in important cell signaling pathways mediating physiological responses (enzyme secretion, proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine expression, and pathological responses like pancreatitis and cancer growth).
authors.affiliation: Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, USA.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sancho
authors.forename: Marc J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Berna
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thill
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D061354:Acinar Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D046790:Pancreas, Exocrine / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000074121:Protein Kinase C-theta; D021381:Protein Transport; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D043886:Receptor, Cholecystokinin A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D048490:raf Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019061:src-Family Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007527:Isoenzymes; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043886:Receptor, Cholecystokinin A; C060902:lyn protein-tyrosine kinase; D019061:src-Family Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D048490:raf Kinases; C489593:Prkcq protein, mouse; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D000074121:Protein Kinase C-theta