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Loss of protein kinase C delta alters mammary gland development and apoptosis

B L Allen-Petersen1, M R Miller, M C Neville

  • 1Stem Cells and Development, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

Cell Death & Disease
|March 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) plays a role in mammary gland cell death and development. PKCδ deficiency impacts apoptosis during puberty and lactation, but pathways show redundancy in vivo.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Apoptotic pathways are frequently altered in breast cancer.
  • Understanding mammary gland cell death regulation is crucial for human disease research.
  • Protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) is a key signaling molecule.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PKCδ in mammary gland development and apoptosis.
  • To examine the impact of PKCδ deficiency on ductal morphogenesis and involution.
  • To explore PKCδ's function in apoptosis in other tissues like the thymus.

Main Methods:

  • Studied primary mammary epithelial cells from PKCδ knockout (PKCδ-/-) mice in vitro.
  • Analyzed mammary gland development in PKCδ-/- mice during puberty and involution.
  • Assessed caspase-3 activation in the thymus of PKCδ-/- mice following irradiation and dexamethasone treatment.

Main Results:

  • PKCδ-/- mammary epithelial cells showed a reduced apoptotic response in vitro.
  • Altered branching morphogenesis was observed in young PKCδ-/- mice, but apoptosis and proliferation in terminal end buds were unaffected.
  • Caspase-3 activation during mammary gland involution was delayed in PKCδ-/- mice, though involution proceeded normally.
  • PKCδ-/- mice exhibited suppressed thymic caspase-3 activation after irradiation but not dexamethasone treatment.

Conclusions:

  • PKCδ is involved in both apoptotic and non-apoptotic processes within the mammary gland.
  • Apoptotic pathways in vivo demonstrate redundancy, compensating for PKCδ deficiency.
  • PKCδ's role in apoptosis is both target- and tissue-dependent.

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