PROTEIN-KINASE-C MODULATION IN APOPTOTIC RAT THYMOCYTES - AN ULTRASTRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

Numerous events in the cell, such as gene expression, cell growth and metabolism are regulated by signal transduction pathways involving pro tein kinase C (PKC). Recent data indicate that a PKC-dependent mechani sm also underlies the apoptotic death of cells induced by glucocortico id hormones. In this report we have analysed the changes of PKC during dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in thymocytes by means of immunocytoc hemical and immunochemical analysis. The data obtained show an increas e and intracellular movement of protein kinase C, which is translocate d to the nucleus and linked to the nuclear matrix during the apoptotic process.