Neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells involves changes in protein kinase C-theta distribution and molecular properties

In this study we demonstrate that the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line e xpresses the novel protein kinase C isozyme designated PKC-theta. The isozy me is almost completely localized in the nuclear compartment of proliferati ng cells. Following stimulation with the nerve growth factor, PKC-theta is redistributed into the cytoplasm and the outgrowing neurite processes, most ly as a cytoskeletal associated kinase. This event is accompanied by an eig htfold increase in the expression level and by the appearance of specific m odifications of PKC-theta molecule. Conversely, the kinase is down-regulate d once cells reach the terminally differentiated state displaying a neuron- like phenotype. These data suggest a functional role for the kinase in the regulation of cytoskeletal modeling along the multistage differentiation pr ocess of PC12 cells, (C) 2000 Academic Press.