Apoptosis induced by protein kinase C inhibition in a neuroblastoma cell line.

The protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide GF109203X has a dual effect on the behavior of the neuroblastoma cell line Neuro-2A; when the inhibitor is added in conditions that induce differentiation (absence of serum), neurite outgrowth is potentiated in a dose-dependent manner. However, if the inhibitor is added in growth-promoting conditions (presence of serum), programmed cell death (apoptosis) is induced, as assessed by internucleosomal DNA cleavage and specific immunoassays. This effect is also seen with other specific protein kinase C inhibitors. Bcl2 gene overexpression protects Neuro-2A cells from apoptosis, as has been found in other systems. We also show that calpain I, a neutral Ca(2+)-activated proteinase, participates in this apoptotic pathway. Our results point to a key role of protein kinase C in the regulation of growth and differentiation in Neuro-2A cells.