Phorbol esters induce death in MCF-7 breast cancer cells with altered expression of protein kinase C isoforms. Role for p53-independent induction of gadd-45 in initiating death.

Protein kinase C (PKC) modulates growth, differentiation and apoptosis in a cell-specific fashion. Overexpression of PKC-alpha in MCF-7 breast cancer cells (MCF-7-PKC-alpha cell) leads to expression of a more transformed phenotype. The response of MCF-7 and MCF-7-PKC-alpha cells to phorbol esters (TPA) was examined. TPA-treated MCF-7 cells demonstrated a modest cytostatic response associated with a G1 arrest that was accompanied by Cip1 expression and retinoblastoma hypophosphorylation. While p53 was detected in MCF-7 cells, evidence for TPA-induced stimulation of p53 transcriptional activity was not evident. In contrast, TPA treatment induced death of MCF-7-PKC-alpha cells. Bryostatin 1, another PKC activator, exerted modest cytostatic effects on MCF-7 cells while producing a cytotoxic response at low doses in MCF-7-PKC-alpha cells that waned at higher concentrations. TPA-treated MCF-7-PKC-alpha cells accumulated in G2/M, did not express p53, displayed decreased Cip1 expression, and demonstrated a reduction in retinoblastoma hypophosphorylation. TPA-treated MCF-7-PKC-alpha cells expressed gadd-45 which occurred before the onset of apoptosis. Thus, alterations in the PKC pathway can modulate the decision of a breast cancer cell to undergo death or differentiation. In addition, these data show that PKC activation can induce expression of gadd45 in a p53-independent fashion.

Altered expression of muscle glucose transporter GLUT-4 in diabetic fatty Zucker rats (ZDF/Drt-fa).

We examined GLUT-4 glucose transporter protein and mRNA in muscle tissue from a new rodent model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), the male obese Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat [ZDF/Drt-fa(F10)]. We also determined whether prevention of hyperglycemia might affect GLUT-4 expression by feeding the intestinal alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose (40 mg/100 g diet) in the diet of male ZDF rats for 19 wk, starting at least 1 wk before the onset of diabetes. Fasting glucose was four- to sixfold greater in diabetic ZDF rats (24.1 +/- 6.7 mM) compared with lean or obese nondiabetic rats. Fasting insulin in diabetic ZDF rats (0.5 +/- 0.1 ng/ml) was similar to lean rats (0.4 +/- 0.1) but greatly reduced compared with obese nondiabetic rats (18.7 +/- 4.0 ng/ml). Acarbose treatment significantly reduced fasting glucose levels to 13.4 +/- 1.4 mM, while insulin levels increased to 1.6 +/- 0.3 ng/ml. GLUT-4 protein levels in diabetic ZDF rats were reduced approximately 40% in red quadriceps and mixed gastrocnemius muscles but were unchanged in white quadriceps muscle. Acarbose treatment was associated with a twofold increase in GLUT-4 protein and mRNA in mixed gastrocnemius muscle. These data indicate that, in this obese model of NIDDM without hyperinsulinemia, there is reduced muscle GLUT-4 protein in red but not white muscle fiber types. The decrease in muscle GLUT-4 expression in this model of NIDDM can be prevented by acarbose treatment, which reduces hyperglycemia and increases beta-cell responsiveness.