Proteolytic release of human angiotensin-converting enzyme expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells is enhanced by phorbol ester.

Membrane-bound angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells is proteolytically released in soluble form into the medium. We find that this release is stimulated up to 50-fold by phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate and also by the addition of fresh, serum-containing media. Concomitant with the enhanced release is a marked decrease in levels of membrane-bound ACE, down to 7% of resting levels in the case of phorbol ester stimulation. Staurosporine, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, abolishes the phorbol ester effect. Kinetic analysis of the stimulated release rate indicates that it is first order, likely due to substrate depletion; calculated half times, t1/2, are 174 +/- 12 min and 40 +/- 6 min for the media-change and phorbol ester stimulated rates, respectively. Thus, release of membrane-bound ACE in CHO cells is regulated, in part, by a PKC-dependent mechanism.