Chemical modification of arginine residues of protein kinase C

Modification of basic residues of protein kinase C by phenylglyoxal results in a reversible, dose-dependent inhibition of autophosphorylation and substrate phosphorylation. The inhibition is not due to specific modification of the Ca2+ or ATP binding sites. Modified PKC bound more [3H] phorbol ester than unmodified providing further evidence that the binding of lipids and the catalytic phosphotransferase activity have different regulatory sequences. Additionally, the effects of these modifying reagents were different on enzyme stimulated by phorbol esters or by the endogenous activator, 1,2-diacylglycerol. These studies suggest that there is at least 1 arginine residue that is unique in the binding site of these different activators.