PKCδ signaling: A dual role in regulating hypoxic stress-induced autophagy and apoptosis

Abstract

The protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases regulates diverse cellular function, including cell death, proliferation and survival. In particular, PKCδ governs the cellular homeostatic response against hypoxic stress. Autophagy, a lysosome-dependent degradative pathway, and apoptosis are two fundamental cellular pathways that respond to stress conditions, such as hypoxia, oxidative stress and nutrient starvation. Recently, we uncovered a novel role for PKCδ in the early stage of hypoxic response where PKCδ activates autophagy by promoting JNK1-mediated Bcl-2 phosphorylation and dissociation of the Bcl-2/Beclin 1 complex. Whereas acute hypoxic stress promotes autophagy, we have previously reported that prolonged hypoxic stress caused the cleavage of PKCδ by caspase-3, resulting in the nuclear translocation of a constitutively active catalytic fragment of PKCδ, PKCδ-CF. Moreover, PKCδ-CF also serves a feed-forward function for the reciprocal PKCδ and caspase-3 proteolytic activation. Here, we discussed the requirement for PKCδ and JNK1 for hypoxia-induced autophagy, and the kinetic relationship among Bcl-2/Beclin 1 interaction, caspase-3 activation and the steady-state level of Beclin 1 during hypoxic exposure. Based on these results, we propose a model for understanding the PKCδ-dependent crosstalk mechanisms between autophagy and apoptosis, both induced by hypoxic stress. These findings collectively support a pivotal role for PKCδ in regulating hypoxic stress with hitherto unappreciated significance. ©2009 Landes Bioscience.