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Circulation Research. 2000;86:293-301

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(Circulation Research. 2000;86:293.)
© 2000 American Heart Association, Inc.


Cellular Biology

The {epsilon} Subtype of Protein Kinase C Is Required for Cardiomyocyte Connexin-43 Phosphorylation

Bradley W. Doble, Peipei Ping, Elissavet Kardami

From the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (B.W.D., E.K.), University of Manitoba, St. Boniface General Hospital Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and University of Louisville and Jewish Hospital Heart and Lung Institute (P.P.), Louisville, Ky.

Correspondence to E. Kardami, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manitoba, St Boniface General Hospital Research Centre, 351 Taché Ave, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R2H 2A6. E-mail ekardami{at}sbrc.umanitoba.ca

Abstract—Gap junctions (GJs), composed of connexins, are intercellular channels ensuring electric and metabolic coupling between cardiomyocytes. We have shown previously that an endogenous mitogenic and cardioprotective protein, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), decreases cardiomyocyte GJ permeability by stimulating phosphorylation of connexin-43 (Cx43). Identifying the kinase(s) phosphorylating cardiac Cx43 may thus provide a way of modulating cardiac intercellular communication. Because FGF-2 activates receptors linked to protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen-activated protein kinase, we first investigated participation of these enzymatic systems in Cx43 phosphorylation. The inhibitor PD98059 blocked activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, but it did not prevent the FGF-2 effects on GJs. In contrast, the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine blocked the effects of FGF-2 on Cx43 phosphorylation and permeability. Because the {epsilon}-isoform of PKC localizes to plasma membrane sites, we examined whether it is directly involved in the FGF-2–induced Cx43 phosphorylation. In nonstimulated myocytes, PKC{epsilon} displayed a discontinuous pattern of localization at intercellular contact sites and partial colocalization with Cx43. Treatment with FGF-2 or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced a more continuous pattern of PKC{epsilon} distribution, whereas the anti-Cx43 staining appeared to overlap extensively with that of PKC{epsilon}. In immunoprecipitation experiments using specific anti-Cx43 antibodies, PKC{epsilon} but not PKC{alpha} coprecipitated with Cx43. FGF-2 increased levels of coprecipitated PKC{epsilon}, suggesting increased association between PKC{epsilon} and Cx43 on stimulation. Transient gene transfer and overexpression of cDNAs coding for truncated or mutated dominant-negative forms of PKC{epsilon} decreased cardiomyocyte Cx43 phosphorylation significantly. We conclude that PKC mediates the FGF-2–induced effects on cardiac GJs and that PKC{epsilon} likely interacts with and phosphorylates cardiac Cx43 at sites of intercellular contact.


Key Words: cardiomyocyte gap junction • protein kinase C{epsilon} • fibroblast growth factor-2 • phosphorylation




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