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Downregulation of delta CaM kinase II in human tumor cells

R M Tombes1, R B Mikkelsen, W D Jarvis

  • 1Massey Cancer Center and Department of Biology, Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. rtombes@hsc.vcu.edu

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|October 19, 1999
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals that delta CaMK-II (Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent protein kinase II) isozymes are prevalent in non-neuronal cells, with levels decreasing in transformed and tumor cells, suggesting a role in cellular differentiation.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mammalian cells express over two dozen alternative splice variants of CaMK-II (Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent protein kinase) from four genes (alpha, beta, gamma, delta).
  • While alpha and beta CaMK-II isozymes are well-characterized in the brain, their relative endogenous levels in non-neuronal cells are not well described.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relative endogenous levels and distribution of CaMK-II isozymes in various non-neuronal mammalian cells.
  • To explore the role of delta CaMK-II isozymes in cellular differentiation, particularly in response to NGF-induced differentiation of PC-12 cells.

Main Methods:

  • Western blot analysis to detect and quantify CaMK-II isozymes in different cell lines (rodent fibroblasts, human fibroblasts, MCF10A, MCF7, PC-12).
  • Measurement of CaMK-II specific activities in various cell types.
  • Immunofluorescence microscopy to determine the cellular localization of endogenous delta CaMK-II.

Main Results:

  • Rodent fibroblasts primarily express the 54 kDa delta CaMK-II (delta(2)/delta(C)) isozyme; alpha CaMK-II is absent, and beta/gamma are minor.
  • Human fibroblasts and MCF10A cells predominantly express the 52 kDa delta(4) CaMK-II.
  • Delta CaMK-II levels and activity are significantly reduced in SV40-transformed fibroblasts, MCF7 tumor cells compared to MCF10A cells.
  • NGF-induced differentiation of PC-12 cells shows preferential activation of delta CaMK-II without new synthesis, with perinuclear distribution in fibroblasts and neurite extension in PC-12 cells.

Conclusions:

  • Delta CaMK-II isozymes are the predominant forms in diverse non-neuronal cells.
  • Reduced delta CaMK-II levels and activity are associated with cellular transformation and tumorigenesis.
  • Delta CaMK-II localization and activation during differentiation suggest its involvement in cellular differentiation processes.

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