Mechanism of action of volatile anesthetics: role of protein kinase C.

1. It is not completely clear how volatile anesthetics cause anesthesia, but one possible consequence of their action is to alter presynaptic activity and the release of neurotransmitters due to alterations in intracellular signaling. 2. Protein kinase C (PKC) is a signal transducing enzyme that is an important regulator of multiple physiological processes like neurotransmitter release, ion channel activity, and neurotransmitter receptor desensitization. Thus, PKC is an attractive molecular target for the synaptic action of general anesthetics. 3. However, the effects of these agents on PKC activity are not yet fully understood and there are several contradictory data on the literature regarding the in vitro and in vivo preparations. 4. Here, we will review some evidence for volatile anesthetics effects on neuronal PKC activation.