Effects of carbamylcholine on cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase activity in corneal epithelium during resurfacing.

Nuclear and total cellular cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase activity was assayed in corneal epithelium from carbamylcholine-treated and control eyes of rabbits with and without resurfacing acid burn defects. In epithelium from resurfacing corneas carbamylcholine significantly elevated both nuclear and total cellular cGMP-dependent protein kinase activity and reduced activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The drug also increased the proportion of total cellular cGMP kinase activity represented by nuclear activity, suggesting that the drug may enhance nuclear translocation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase.