Direct Binding and Activation of Protein Kinase C Isoforms by Aldosterone and 17β-Estradiol

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a signal transduction protein that has been proposed to mediate rapid responses to steroid hormones. Previously, we have shown aldosterone directly activates PKCα whereas 17β-estradiol activates PKCα and PKCδ; however, neither the binding to PKCs nor the mechanism of action has been established. To determine the domains of PKCα and PKCδ involved in binding of aldosterone and 17β-estradiol, glutathione S-transferase fusion recombinant PKCα and PKCδ mutants were used to perform in vitro binding assays with [3H]aldosterone and [3H]17β-estradiol. 17β-Estradiol bound both PKCα and PKCδ but failed to bind PKC mutants lacking a C2 domain. Similarly, aldosterone bound only PKCα and mutants containing C2 domains. Thus, the C2 domain is critical for binding of these hormones. Binding affinities for aldosterone and 17β-estradiol were between 0.5–1.0 nM. Aldosterone and 17β-estradiol competed for binding to PKCα, suggesting they share the same binding site. Phorbol 12,13-dybutyrate did not compete with hormone binding; furthermore, they have an additive effect on PKC activity. EC50 for activation of PKCα and PKCδ by aldosterone and 17β-estradiol was approximately 0.5 nM. Immunoblot analysis using a phospho-PKC antibody revealed that upon binding, PKCα and PKCδ undergo autophosphorylation with an EC50 in the 0.5–1.0 nm range. 17β-Estradiol activated PKCα and PKCδ in estrogen receptor-positive and -negative breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and HCC-38, respectively), suggesting estrogen receptor expression is not required for 17β-estradiol-induced PKC activation. The present results provide first evidence for direct binding and activation of PKCα and PKCδ by steroid hormones and the molecular mechanisms involved.