Biomaterial Database

The role of protein kinase C and its neuronal substrates dephosphin, B-50, and MARCKS in neurotransmitter release. 1991

P J Robinson

Endocrine Unit, John Hunter Hospital, NSW, Australia.

This article focuses on the role of protein phosphorylation, especially that mediated by protein kinase C (PKC), in neurotransmitter release. In the first part of the article, the evidence linking PKC activation to neurotransmitter release is evaluated. Neurotransmitter release can be elicited in at least two manners that may involve distinct mechanisms: Evoked release is stimulated by calcium influx following chemical or electrical depolarization, whereas enhanced release is stimulated by direct application of phorbol ester or fatty acid activators of PKC. A markedly distinct sensitivity of the two pathways to PKC inhibitors or to PKC downregulation suggests that only enhanced release is directly PKC-mediated. In the second part of the article, a framework is provided for understanding the complex and apparently contrasting effects of PKC inhibitors. A model is proposed whereby the site of interaction of a PKC inhibitor with the enzyme dictates the apparent potency of the inhibitor, since the multiple activators also interact with these distinct sites on the enzyme. Appropriate PKC inhibitors can now be selected on the basis of both the PKC activator used and the site of inhibitor interaction with PKC. In the third part of the article, the known nerve terminal substrates of PKC are examined. Only four have been identified, tyrosine hydroxylase, MARCKS, B-50, and dephosphin, and the latter two may be associated with neurotransmitter release. Phosphorylation of the first three of these proteins by PKC accompanies release. B-50 may be associated with evoked release since antibodies delivered into permeabilized synaptosomes block evoked, but not enhanced release. Dephosphin and its PKC phosphorylation may also be associated with evoked release, but in a unique manner. Dephosphin is a phosphoprotein concentrated in nerve terminals, which, upon stimulation of release, is rapidly dephosphorylated by a calcium-stimulated phosphatase (possibly calcineurin [CN]). Upon termination of the rise in intracellular calcium, dephosphin is phosphorylated by PKC. A priming model of neurotransmitter release is proposed where PKC-mediated phosphorylation of such a protein is an obligatory step that primes the release apparatus, in preparation for a calcium influx signal. Protein dephosphorylation may therefore be as important as protein phosphorylation in neurotransmitter release.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008562	Membrane Glycoproteins	Glycoproteins found on the membrane or surface of cells.	Cell Surface Glycoproteins,Surface Glycoproteins,Cell Surface Glycoprotein,Membrane Glycoprotein,Surface Glycoprotein,Glycoprotein, Cell Surface,Glycoprotein, Membrane,Glycoprotein, Surface,Glycoproteins, Cell Surface,Glycoproteins, Membrane,Glycoproteins, Surface,Surface Glycoprotein, Cell,Surface Glycoproteins, Cell
D008565	Membrane Proteins	Proteins which are found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. They consist of two types, peripheral and integral proteins. They include most membrane-associated enzymes, antigenic proteins, transport proteins, and drug, hormone, and lectin receptors.	Cell Membrane Protein,Cell Membrane Proteins,Cell Surface Protein,Cell Surface Proteins,Integral Membrane Proteins,Membrane-Associated Protein,Surface Protein,Surface Proteins,Integral Membrane Protein,Membrane Protein,Membrane-Associated Proteins,Membrane Associated Protein,Membrane Associated Proteins,Membrane Protein, Cell,Membrane Protein, Integral,Membrane Proteins, Integral,Protein, Cell Membrane,Protein, Cell Surface,Protein, Integral Membrane,Protein, Membrane,Protein, Membrane-Associated,Protein, Surface,Proteins, Cell Membrane,Proteins, Cell Surface,Proteins, Integral Membrane,Proteins, Membrane,Proteins, Membrane-Associated,Proteins, Surface,Surface Protein, Cell
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D008969	Molecular Sequence Data	Descriptions of specific amino acid, carbohydrate, or nucleotide sequences which have appeared in the published literature and/or are deposited in and maintained by databanks such as GENBANK, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), National Biomedical Research Foundation (NBRF), or other sequence repositories.	Sequence Data, Molecular,Molecular Sequencing Data,Data, Molecular Sequence,Data, Molecular Sequencing,Sequencing Data, Molecular
D009411	Nerve Endings	Branch-like terminations of NERVE FIBERS, sensory or motor NEURONS. Endings of sensory neurons are the beginnings of afferent pathway to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Endings of motor neurons are the terminals of axons at the muscle cells. Nerve endings which release neurotransmitters are called PRESYNAPTIC TERMINALS.	Ending, Nerve,Endings, Nerve,Nerve Ending
D009419	Nerve Tissue Proteins		Proteins, Nerve Tissue,Tissue Proteins, Nerve
D010749	Phosphoprotein Phosphatases	A group of enzymes removing the SERINE- or THREONINE-bound phosphate groups from a wide range of phosphoproteins, including a number of enzymes which have been phosphorylated under the action of a kinase. (Enzyme Nomenclature, 1992)	Phosphoprotein Phosphatase,Phosphoprotein Phosphohydrolase,Protein Phosphatase,Protein Phosphatases,Casein Phosphatase,Ecto-Phosphoprotein Phosphatase,Nuclear Protein Phosphatase,Phosphohistone Phosphatase,Phosphoprotein Phosphatase-2C,Phosphoseryl-Protein Phosphatase,Protein Phosphatase C,Protein Phosphatase C-I,Protein Phosphatase C-II,Protein Phosphatase H-II,Protein-Serine-Threonine Phosphatase,Protein-Threonine Phosphatase,Serine-Threonine Phosphatase,Threonine Phosphatase,Ecto Phosphoprotein Phosphatase,Phosphatase C, Protein,Phosphatase C-I, Protein,Phosphatase C-II, Protein,Phosphatase H-II, Protein,Phosphatase, Casein,Phosphatase, Ecto-Phosphoprotein,Phosphatase, Nuclear Protein,Phosphatase, Phosphohistone,Phosphatase, Phosphoprotein,Phosphatase, Phosphoseryl-Protein,Phosphatase, Protein,Phosphatase, Protein-Serine-Threonine,Phosphatase, Protein-Threonine,Phosphatase, Serine-Threonine,Phosphatase, Threonine,Phosphatase-2C, Phosphoprotein,Phosphatases, Phosphoprotein,Phosphatases, Protein,Phosphohydrolase, Phosphoprotein,Phosphoprotein Phosphatase 2C,Phosphoseryl Protein Phosphatase,Protein Phosphatase C I,Protein Phosphatase C II,Protein Phosphatase H II,Protein Phosphatase, Nuclear,Protein Serine Threonine Phosphatase,Protein Threonine Phosphatase,Serine Threonine Phosphatase
D010750	Phosphoproteins		Phosphoprotein
D010766	Phosphorylation	The introduction of a phosphoryl group into a compound through the formation of an ester bond between the compound and a phosphorus moiety.	Phosphorylations
D011493	Protein Kinase C	An serine-threonine protein kinase that requires the presence of physiological concentrations of CALCIUM and membrane PHOSPHOLIPIDS. The additional presence of DIACYLGLYCEROLS markedly increases its sensitivity to both calcium and phospholipids. The sensitivity of the enzyme can also be increased by PHORBOL ESTERS and it is believed that protein kinase C is the receptor protein of tumor-promoting phorbol esters.	Calcium Phospholipid-Dependent Protein Kinase,Calcium-Activated Phospholipid-Dependent Kinase,PKC Serine-Threonine Kinase,Phospholipid-Sensitive Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase,Protein Kinase M,Calcium Activated Phospholipid Dependent Kinase,Calcium Phospholipid Dependent Protein Kinase,PKC Serine Threonine Kinase,Phospholipid Sensitive Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase,Phospholipid-Dependent Kinase, Calcium-Activated,Serine-Threonine Kinase, PKC