LEVELS AND ACTIVITY OF BRAIN PROTEIN-KINASE-C-ALPHA AND PROTEIN-KINASE-C-ZETA DURING THE AGING OF THE MEDFLY

Brain protein kinase C (PKC) activity, as well as PKC alpha and PKC ze ta levers detected by immunoblotting, were monitored during: the lifes pan of the Mediterranean fruit-fly Ceratitis capitata. PKC activity in creased in the particulate fraction during the last stages of the life of C. capitata. Immunoblotting studies with an anti-PKC alpha antibod y also demonstrated increased enzyme levels in the particulate fractio n. Cytosolic levels of PKC zeta decreased in the terminal phase of the lifespan of the fly, whereas levels of membrane-bound PKC zeta increa sed at that stage. Results thus indicate that during C. capitata final phase of life a translocation of PKC alpha and PKC zeta to the partic ulate fraction occurs, and therefore both kinases could be involved in the terminal process of this fruit-fly. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier S cience Ireland Ltd.