Summary
Protein kinase c-β-like immunoreactivity was studied in the adrenal gland of adult rats and at different pre- and postnatal stages of development (E17-P21) with an antibody specific to both the α21 and α- subtypes of the kinase. In the adult rat adrenal gland, the immunoreactivity was seen in numerous nerve fibres in the adrenal medulla both in bundles and individually forming occasionally dense networks around chromaffin cell groups. Several protein kinase c-β-immunoreactive fibres were also observed transversing the adrenal cortex towards the medulla. No remaining immunoreactive fibres two weeks after transection of the splanchnic nerve could be seen; nor was any immunoreactivity observed in the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla or in the cortical cells, but some faintly immunoreactive ganglion cells were detected in the adrenal medulla. The amount and distribution of protein kinase c-β-like immunoreactivity in the fetal and developing adrenals was very similar to that seen in the adrenal glands of adult rats. On the basis of its localization, the β-subtype of protein kinase c does not appear to be directly involved in the release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla, but it might have a role in the regulation of neurotransmitter release from preganglionic cholinergic neurons.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albert, K. A., Helmer-Matyjek, E., Nairn, A. C., Muller, T. H., Haycock, J. W., Greene, L. A., Goldstein, M. &Greengard, P. (1984) Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase c) phosphorylates and activates tyrosine hydroxylase.Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 81, 7713–7.
Broclehurst, K. V. &Pollard, H. B. (1985) Enhancement of Ca2+-induced catecholamine release by the phorbol ester TPA in digitonin-permeabilized cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.FEBS Lett. 183, 107–10.
Hashimoto, T., Ase, K., Sawamura, K., Kikkawa, U., Saito, N., Tanaka, C. &Nishizuka, Y. (1988a) Postnatal development of a brain-specific subspecies of protein kinase c in rat.J. Neurosci. 8, 1678–83.
Hashimoto, S., Shuntoh, H., Taniyama, K. &Tanaka, C. (1988b) Role of protein kinase c in the vesicular release of acetylcholine and norepinephrine from enteric neurons of the guinea pig small iontestine.Jpn J. Pharmacol. 48, 377–85.
Hietanen, M., Koistinaho, J., Rechardt, L., Roivainen, R. &Pelto-Huikko, M. (1990) Immunohistochemical evidence for the presence of protein kinase c β-subtype in rat motoneurons and myoneural junctions.Neurosci. Lett. 115, 126–30.
Huang, K. P., Nakabayashi, H. &Huang, E. L. (1986) Isozyme forms of rat brain Ca2+-activated and phospholipid dependent protein kinase C.Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 83, 8535–9.
Huang, F. L., Yoshida, Y., Nakbayashi, H. G., Knopf, J. L., Young, W. S. &Huang, K.-P. (1987) Immunochemical identification of protein kinase isozymes as products of discrete genes.Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 149, 946–52.
Huang, K.-P. (1989) The mechanism of protein kinase C activation.TINS 12, 425–32.
Huang, F. L., Young, W. S., Yoshida, Y. &Huang, K.-P. (1990) Developmental expression of protein kinase C isoenzymes in rat cerebellum.Dev. Brain Res. 52, 121–30.
Kirby, R. F. &McCarty, R. (1987) Ontogeny of functional sympathetic innervation to the heart and adrenal medulla in the preweanling rat.J. Autonom. Nerv. Syst. 19, 67–75.
Knight, D. E. &Baker, P. F. (1983) The phorbol ester TPA increases the affinity of exocytosis for calcium in “leaky” adrenal medullary cells.FEBS Lett. 160, 98–100.
Koda, Y., Kobayashi, H., Mizuki, T., Okazaki, M., Uezono, Y., Yanagihara, N., Wada, A. &Izumi, F. (1990) Protein kinase C subtypes in tissues derived from neural crest.Brain Res. 518, 334–6.
Nishizuka, Y. (1986) Studies and perspectives of protein kinase C.Science 233, 305–12.
Nishizuka, Y. (1988) The molecular heterogeneity of protein kinase C and its implication for cellular regulation.Nature 334, 661–5.
Pelosin, J.-M., Keramidas, M., Souvignet, C. &Chambaz, E. (1990) Differential inhibition of protein kinase C subtypes.Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 169, 1040–8.
Pelosin, J.-M., Ricousart, A., Sergheraert, C., Benahmed, M. &Chambaz, E. (1991) Expression of protein kinase C isoforms in various steroidogenic cell types.Mol. Cell. Endocrin. 75, 149–55.
Pocotte, S. L., Frye, R. A., Senter, R. A., Terbush, D. R., Lee, S. A. &Holz, R. W. (1985) Effects of phorbol ester on catecholamine secretion and protein phosphorylation in adrenal medullary cell cultures.Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 82, 930–4.
Publicover, S. (1985) Stimulation of spontaneous transmitter release by the phorbal ester 12-O-tetra-decanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase C.Brain Res. 333, 185–7.
Roivainen, R., Koistinaho, J. &Hervonen, A. (1990a) Localization of protein kinase C-β-like immunoreactivity in the rat dorsal root ganglion.Neurosci. Res. 7, 381–4.
Roivainen, R., Roth, M. J., Hervonen, A. &Koistinaho, J. (1991) Localization of protein kinase C-β-like immunoreactivity in rat sympathetic neurons.Histochemistry 95, 247–53.
Roth, B. L., Mehegan, J. P., Jacobowitz, D. M., Robey, F. &Iadarola, M. J. (1989) Rat brain protein kinase C: purification, antibody production and quantification in discrete regions of hippocampus.J. Neurochem. 52, 215–21.
Sekuguchi, K., Tsukuda, M., Ogira, K., Kikkawa, U. &Nishizuka, Y. (1987) Three distinct forms of rat brain protein kinase C: differential response to unsaturated fatty acids.Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 145, 797–802.
Sekiguchi, K., Tsukuda, M., Ase, K., Kikkawa, U. &Nishizuka, Y. (1988) Mode of activation and kinetic properties of three distinct forms of protein kinase C from rat brain.J. Biochem. 103, 759–65.
Shearman, M. S., Naor, Z., Sekiguchi, K., Kishimoto, A. &Nishizuka, Y. (1989) Selective activation of the γ-subspecies of protein kinase C from bovine cerebellum by arachidonic acid and its lipooxygenase metabolites.FEBS Lett. 243, 177–82.
Shuntoh, H. &Tanaka, C. (1989) Activation of protein kinase C potentiates norepinephrine release from sinus node.Am. J. Phys. 251, C833–40.
Sternberger, L. (1979)Immunohistochemistry, 2nd edn. New York: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Tanaka, C., Taniyama, K. &Kusunoki, M. (1984) A phorbol ester and A23187 act synergistically to release acetylcholine from the guinea pig ileum.FEBS Lett. 175, 165–9.
Wang, M., Cahill, A. L. &Perlman, R. L. (1986) Phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate increases tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat.J. Neurochem. 46, 388–93.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Roivainen, R., Pelto-Huikko, M., Hietanen-Peltola, M. et al. Protein kinase c-β-like immunoreactivity in the developing and adult rat adrenal gland. Histochem J 23, 375–380 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01042183
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01042183