Protein kinase c-dependent phosphorylation of the na+,k+-atpase [alpha]-subunit in rat kidney cortical tubules. Carranza, Maria Luisa, Eric F[acute]eraille, and Herv[acute]e Favre. Division de N[acute]ephrologie, H[circumflex]opital Cantonal Universitaire, Rue Micheli du Crest, 24, CH-1211 Gen[grave]eve 14, Switzerland
APStracts 3:0011C, 1996.
We have previously shown that in oxygenated rat kidney proximal convoluted tubules (PCT), activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) directly stimulates Na+,K+-ATPase activity. PKC modulation of Na+,K+-ATPase activity by phosphorylation of its [alpha]-subunit was the postulated mechanism. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the relationship between PKC-mediated phosphorylation of the catalytic [alpha]-subunit and the cation transport activity of the Na+,K+-ATPase. In a suspension of rat kidney cortical tubules, activation of PKC by 10-7 M PDBu increased the level of phosphorylation of the Na+,K+-ATPase [alpha] -subunit and stimulated the ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake by 47 and 42 %, respectively. Time courses and dose-dependencies of the PDBu -induced increase in Na+,K+-ATPase activity and phosphorylation were strongly linearly correlated. The effects of PDBu on phosphorylation and activity of Na+,K+-ATPase were prevented by GF109203X, a specific PKC inhibitor, whereas H89, a specific PKA inhibitor, was ineffective. These results demonstrate that PKC activation induces phosphorylation of the catalytic [alpha]-subunit of Na+,K+-ATPase which may participate to the stimulation of its cation transport activity in the rat PCT.

Received 6 November 1995; accepted in final form 21 December
1995.
APS Manuscript Number C667-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Cell Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 22 January 96