Protein kinase C zeta is associated with the mitotic apparatus in primary cell cultures of the shark rectal gland.

Protein kinase C zeta (PKC zeta) is an atypical PKC isoform that has recently been implicated in cell division and cell growth. However, there has been no morphologic evidence for the involvement of PKC zeta in mitogenic signal transduction. Here we use immunocytochemistry to demonstrate that PKC zeta co-localizes with microtubules in both interphase and metaphase cells of the shark rectal gland in primary culture. This co-localization is present after non-ionic detergent treatment and is disrupted by nocodazole. During mitosis, PKC zeta is associated with the mitotic apparatus and co-localizes with beta-tubulin in spindle microtubules, while entirely sparing astral microtubules. These findings provide the first evidence that PKC zeta is associated with the mitotic apparatus. The striking presence of PKC zeta in the central portion of the mitotic apparatus suggests a functional role for this kinase isoform in cell division.