Differential effects of ceramides upon adenylyl cyclase subtypes

Ceramides are reported to stimulate different effector systems, among them atypical protein kinases C (PKCs). When HEK 293 cells, stably expressing adenylyl cyclase type II (AC II), were treated with various ceramide derivatives, adenylyl cyclase activity was enhanced 8-15-fold. The stimulation by the most potent analog, C18/C24 ceramide, was comparable to that by the phorbolester TPA. The stimulatory effect of ceramide was not restricted to AC II, although the type I and type V enzymes were affected less dramatically. Unexpectedly, the dihydro derivatives of ceramides, generally serving as non-activating controls, exhibited only slightly lower stimulation than ceramides, whereas short-chain ceramides (e.g. C2) were without effect. The action of ceramides was at least partially inhibited by okadaic acid, suggesting involvement of a phosphatase. Furthermore, ceramides and TPA operated synergistically. While the PKC inhibitor staurosporine counteracted the action of phorbol-esters, it significantly (2.5x) enhanced the effect of ceramides.