The adriamycin-iron(III) complex is a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C.

Using Triton X-100/lipid mixed micellar methods, we observed that the adriamycin-iron(III) complex was a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C while uncomplexed adriamycin itself was a poor inhibitor in the absence of heavy metal contaminants. The 3:1 adriamycin-iron complex was more potent than 2:1, 1:1, and 1:0 complexes. Inhibition of protein kinase C was reversible, and 50% inhibition occurred at 13 microM (adriamycin)3Fe3+. Both the catalytic and the regulatory domain of protein kinase C were affected by adriamycin-iron(III). Adriamycin-iron(III) was a competitive inhibitor of the catalytic domain of protein kinase C with respect to MgATP but not with respect to magnesium (IC50 350 microM). The predominant interaction of adriamycin-iron(III) with native protein kinase C was as a competitive inhibitor with respect to diacylglycerol. Inhibition was not competitive with respect to phosphatidylserine, calcium, magnesium, MgATP, or histone. Interaction with the regulatory domain was demonstrated by the ability of adriamycin-iron(III) to inhibit phorbol dibutyrate binding. Other adriamycin transitional metal complexes showed little inhibition of protein kinase C activity. Acetylation of the amine on the daunosamine moeity of adriamycin did not preclude the formation of a ferric complex but resulted in total loss of inhibitory activity. These results suggest that the presence of free amines in a highly structured adriamycin-iron complex is necessary for inhibition. The implications of inhibition of protein kinase C by adriamycin-iron(III) are discussed.