Characterization and differential expression of protein kinase C isoforms in PC12 cells Differentiation parallels an increase in PKC beta11

AbstractNerve growth factor (NGF) treatment of PC12 cells induced a 2.8-fold increase in protein kinase C activity concomitant with differentiation and acquisition or neurites. PKC protein isoforms were separated by sequential chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel/hydroxylapatite. A broad peak or PKC activity eluted which corresponded to the alpha PKC isoform. In control cells, message for all six PKC isoforms was detected and expressed as epsilon>zeta=gamma>delta>beta>alpha. Western blot or whole cell lysates revealed a large increase in the beta11, while slight changes were observed for the other five PKC isoforms during treatment (12-14 days) with NGF (50 ng/ml). In parallel, coordinate changes in the expression of the individual transcripts for the six isoforms occurred during NGF treatment. Induction and accumulation of PKC beta11 may play a role in maintenance or neuronal morphology