Protein kinases help regulate eukaryotic cell division. We investigated the regulation of
cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and
casein kinase (CK) type I activity in normal cells and in
cancer. To assess this activity in biopsies we suggest a new parameter--the ratio of CK activity and total PKA activity divided by cAMP concentration: CK/PKA/cAMP. In 98 samples of colon mucosa in normal, inflamed,
polyp, and
adenocarcinoma cells, we found this parameter to be fairly constant in normal conditions and increased 10-fold in
colon cancer; the ratio does not depend on the place of biopsy or the patient's age or sex. Experiments with model systems of
concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes and regenerating rat liver showed that in normal cell proliferation the parameter increases 2-3-fold, as compared to a 30-fold increase in
cancer. Unlike normal cells, malignant cells show CK activation and decrease of cAMP; therefore, PKA activity decreases. This suggests a correlation of CK and PKA activity and significant damage to their regulation at pathological changes of tissue proliferation. To further study concerted CK and PKA regulation we used
monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against
cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit RKII beta. We produced 11
antibodies in three groups: inhibiting, which block cAMP binding with RII beta and inhibit
holoenzyme formation (RS6); activating, which enhance cAMP binding and do not affect
holoenzyme formation (RS28); and neutral (RS17). To investigate mAb influence on
protein kinase regulation in live cells we permeabilized
pheochromocytoma PC12 by
digitonin. When used at 5-microM concentration for 5 min,
digitonin allowed us to deliver mAb into PC12 cells at 30-34-nM concentration, leaving 68-75% viable cells.
Protein kinase activity was measured within 0.5 and 4 h after incorporation of mAbs into cells. After 30 min incorporation, mAb RS6 blocked PKA activation in PC12 cells under the influence of cAMP; other mAbs showed no effect. mAb RS6 caused a 4-fold increase of free C subunit activity 4 h after incorporation. mAb RS38 decreased R2C2 activity and did not influence C subunit activity. The change of free C subunit activity caused by mAb incorporation was followed by a synchronized, well-balanced change of CK type I activity, which suggests a correlation between the two phosphorylation systems of cell
proteins.