Activation of protein kinase C delta by IFN-gamma

J Immunol. 2003 Jul 1;171(1):267-73. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.171.1.267.

Abstract

Engagement of the type II IFN (IFN-gamma) receptor results in activation of the Janus kinase-Stat pathway and induction of gene transcription via IFN-gamma-activated site (GAS) elements in the promoters of IFN-gamma-inducible genes. An important event in IFN-gamma-dependent gene transcription is phosphorylation of Stat1 on Ser(727), which is regulated by a kinase activated downstream of the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase. Here we provide evidence that a member of the protein kinase C (PKC) family of proteins is activated downstream of the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase and is engaged in IFN-gamma signaling. Our data demonstrate that PKCdelta is rapidly phosphorylated during engagement of the type II IFNR and its kinase domain is induced. Subsequently, the activated PKCdelta associates with a member of the Stat family of proteins, Stat1, which acts as a substrate for its kinase activity and undergoes phosphorylation on Ser(727). Inhibition of PKCdelta activity diminishes phosphorylation of Stat1 on Ser(727) and IFN-gamma-dependent transcriptional regulation via IFN-gamma-activated site elements, without affecting the phosphorylation of the protein on Tyr(701). Thus, PKCdelta is activated during engagement of the IFN-gamma receptor and plays an important role in IFN-gamma signaling by mediating serine phosphorylation of Stat1 and facilitating transcription of IFN-gamma-stimulated genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetophenones / pharmacology
  • Benzopyrans / pharmacology
  • Carbazoles / pharmacology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Enzyme Activation / immunology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Interferon gamma Receptor
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / physiology*
  • Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Isoenzymes / physiology
  • Mesylates / pharmacology
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / physiology
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Phosphoserine / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism*
  • Protein Kinase C / physiology
  • Protein Kinase C-delta
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Interferon / metabolism
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators / physiology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • 5,21 - 12,17-dimetheneo-18H-dibenzo(i,o)pyrrolo(3,4-1)(1,8)diazacyclohexandecine-18,10(19H)dione,8((dimethylamino)methyl)-6,7,8,9,10,11-hexahydro,monomethanesulfonate
  • Acetophenones
  • Benzopyrans
  • Carbazoles
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Imidazoles
  • Indoles
  • Isoenzymes
  • Mesylates
  • Pyridines
  • Pyrroles
  • Receptors, Interferon
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • STAT1 protein, human
  • Trans-Activators
  • Go 6976
  • Phosphoserine
  • Interferon-gamma
  • rottlerin
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • PRKCD protein, human
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Protein Kinase C-delta
  • SB 203580