Stimulation of tyrosine-specific protein phosphorylation in the rat liver plasma membrane by oxygen radicals

Incorporation of 32P from [gamma-32P]ATP into endogenous proteins, added histone and the copolymers Glu 80 Tyr 20 by rat liver plasma membranes was markedly increased by several naphthoquinones, including menadione. This stimulation was most marked with Glu 80 Tyr 20, has an absolute requirement for either dithiothreitol or reduced glutathione, and was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, catalase, and desferrioxamine to varying degrees depending on the quinones used. Their effectiveness in stimulating the apparent tyrosine-specific protein phosphorylation correlated with the rates of DTT-dependent redox cycling measured by oxygen consumption. Increased protein phosphorylation was also seen with particulate fractions isolated from hepatocytes incubated with quinones. A free radical-mediated mechanism is suggested for the quinone stimulation of protein phosphorylation.