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Assessment of Mitochondrial Functions and Cell Viability in Renal Cells Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Isozymes
Published on: January 7, 2013
p23/Tmp21 associates with protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta) and modulates its apoptotic function
HongBin Wang1, Liqing Xiao, Marcelo G Kazanietz
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6160, USA. hongbin@mail.med.upenn.edu
Abstract:
There is emerging evidence that C1 domains, motifs originally identified in PKC isozymes and responsible for binding of phorbol esters and diacylglycerol, interact with the Golgi/endoplasmic reticulum protein p23 (Tmp21). In this study, we investigated whether PKCδ, a kinase widely implicated in apoptosis and inhibition of cell cycle progression, associates with p23 and determined the potential functional implications of this interaction. Using a yeast two-hybrid approach, we found that the PKCδ C1b domain associates with p23 and identified two key residues (Asp(245) and Met(266)) implicated in this interaction. Interestingly, silencing p23 from LNCaP prostate cancer cells using RNAi markedly enhanced PKCδ-dependent apoptosis and activation of PKCδ downstream effectors ROCK and JNK by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Moreover, translocation of PKCδ to the plasma membrane by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was enhanced in p23-depleted LNCaP cells. Notably, a PKCδ mutant that failed to interact with p23 triggered a strong apoptotic response when expressed in LNCaP cells. In summary, our data compellingly support the concept that C1 domains have dual roles both in lipid and protein associations and provide strong evidence that p23 acts as an anchoring protein that retains PKCδ at the perinuclear region, thus limiting the availability of this kinase for activation in response to stimuli.
Insights
Protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) interacts with p23, a protein that anchors it away from the plasma membrane. Silencing p23 enhances PKCδ-driven apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- C1 domains in protein kinase C (PKC) are known to bind lipids like diacylglycerol.
- Emerging evidence suggests C1 domains also interact with cellular proteins, including the Golgi/endoplasmic reticulum protein p23 (Tmp21).
- PKCδ is a kinase involved in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between PKCδ and p23.
- To determine the functional significance of the PKCδ-p23 interaction.
- To explore the role of p23 in regulating PKCδ activity and localization.
Main Methods:
- Yeast two-hybrid assay to identify protein interactions.
- RNA interference (RNAi) to silence p23 expression in LNCaP prostate cancer cells.
- Analysis of apoptosis, downstream effector activation (ROCK, JNK), and protein translocation.
Main Results:
- The C1b domain of PKCδ directly associates with p23, with key residues Asp(245) and Met(266) identified.
- Silencing p23 significantly enhanced PKCδ-dependent apoptosis and activation of ROCK and JNK upon stimulation.
- p23 depletion led to increased translocation of PKCδ to the plasma membrane.
- A PKCδ mutant unable to interact with p23 induced strong apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- C1 domains exhibit dual functionality, engaging in both lipid and protein interactions.
- p23 functions as an anchoring protein, retaining PKCδ in the perinuclear region.
- This anchoring by p23 limits PKCδ availability for activation, thereby modulating cellular responses like apoptosis.
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