Protein kinase C activation promotes microtubule advance in neuronal growth cones by increasing average microtubule growth lifetimes.

ABSTRACT: We describe a novel mechanism for protein kinase C regulation of axonal microtubule invasion of growth cones. Activation of PKC by phorbol esters resulted in a rapid, robust advance of distal microtubules (MTs) into the F-actin rich peripheral domain of growth cones, where they are normally excluded. In contrast, inhibition of PKC activity by bisindolylmaleimide and related compounds had no perceptible effect on growth cone motility, but completely blocked phorbol ester effects. Significantly, MT advance occurred despite continued retrograde F-actin flow-a process that normally inhibits MT advance. Polymer assembly was necessary for PKC-mediated MT advance since it was highly sensitive to a range of antagonists at concentrations that specifically interfere with microtubule dynamics. Bioche

SUBMITTER: Kabir N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2198821 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature