The polyether bistratene A activates protein kinase C-delta and induces growth arrest in HL60 cells.

Bistratene A (BisA) induced growth arrest in G2/M in HL60 cells. In addition, BisA-treated cells (50 nM for 48 h) became adherent and expressed the adhesion molecule CD11c, but did not express the monocyte enzyme alpha-napthyl acetate esterase or phagocytose complement coated yeasts. BisA activated protein kinase C (PKC)-delta and induced translocation of PKC-delta to the nucleus. This suggests that activation of PKC-delta can induce growth arrest and cell adhesion, but is insufficient to mediate full differentiation of HL60 cells. BisA has potential as a new probe for determining the function of PKC isoenzymes, specifically PKC-delta.