Protein kinase C subspecies in adult rat hippocampal synaptosomes Activation by diacylglycerol and arachidonic acid

AbstractSynaptosomes isolated from the rat hippocampus contain the α- and β-subspecies of protein kinase C (PKC), but not the γ-subspecies which is abundantly expressed in the pyramidal cells in this brain region. Although the γ-subspecies is known to respond significantly to free arachidonic acid, it is found that both the α- and β-subspecies are also activated dramatically by arachidonic acid in synergistic action with diacylglycerol. Olcic, linoleic, and linolenic acids are all active. It is possible that unsaturated fatty acids may take part in the activation of α- and β-subspecies of PKC which are present in the presynaptic nerve endings terminating at the hippocampal pyramidal cells