Epidermal growth factor inhibits carbachol-stimulated canine parietal cell function via protein kinase C

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) inhibits secretagogue- stimulated gastric acid secretion via an EGF receptor located on parietal cells. The aim of this study was to examine whether this growth factor inhibited carbachol-stimulated acid secretion through a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism. METHODS: The effect of EGF on carbachol-stimulated aminopyrine uptake, inositol trisphosphate formation, and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in purified cultured parietal cells was studied. The ability of protein kinase A and C inhibitors to alter the inhibitory action of EGF was assessed. EGF- mediated translocation and activation of protein kinase C in parietal cells were determined. RESULTS: EGF dose dependently inhibited carbachol-stimulated aminopyrine uptake in a pertussis toxin- insensitive, genistein (tyrosine kinase inhibitor)--sensitive manner, with a maximal inhibitory effect (37.5% +/- 6.8%) achieved at 10(-7) mol/L. EGF did not significantly inhibit carbachol-stimulated inositol trisphosphate formation and did not alter the initial transient increase or sustained plateau in [Ca2+]i stimulated by this secretagogue. The protein kinase C inhibitors H-7 and staurosporine dose dependently reversed the inhibitory action of EGF, whereas H-89 (protein kinase A inhibitor) failed to alter the effect of EGF. EGF pretreatment increased the translocation of alpha and beta 1 isoforms of protein kinase C and stimulated kinase activity in parietal cells. EGF did not down-regulate the parietal cell muscarinic receptor. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibitory action of EGF on carbachol-stimulated parietal cell activity seems to involve protein kinase C. (Gastroenterology 1996 Feb;110(2):469-77)