Ethanol and protein kinase C

Protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in the control of many key signaling pat hways in cells. Investigations over the past decade have shown that many ef fects of ethanol on cell function are closely interconnected with PKC. Thre e distinct areas of investigation have emerged; they are reviewed in this a rticle. In vitro studies show that ethanol and higher alcohols can both inh ibit or enhance PKC activity, depending on the experimental conditions. The se studies show that alcohols interact directly with PKC, suggesting at lea st some role of this interaction in intoxication and anesthesia. Most ion c hannel systems are modulated by ethanol to varying degrees, and inhibition of PKC attenuates this effect; however, the mechanism by which ethanol brin gs about this effect is not known. Lastly, prolonged or chronic ethanol exp osure up-regulates PKC, an effect that has important consequences, for exam ple, in neuronal development; again, the mechanism leading to this process is not understood. The current consensus is that PKC is intimately involved in acute and chronic ethanol action, and the challenge now is to determine the mechanisms involved so that strategies can be developed to control the se effects.