Received for publication September 21, 2004.
Revised January 3, 2005.
Accepted for publication February 11, 2005.

Isoflurane induces a protein kinase C alpha-dependent increase in cell surface protein level and activity of glutamate transporter type 3

Abstract

Glutamate transporters regulate extracellular concentrations of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. We have shown that the commonly used anesthetic isoflurane increased the activity of glutamate transporter type 3 (EAAT3) possibly via a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway. Here we show that isoflurane induced a time- and concentration-dependent redistribution of EAAT3 to cell membrane in C6 glioma cells. This redistribution was inhibited by staurosporine, a pan PKC inhibitor, or by Go6976 at a concentration that selectively inhibits conventional PKC isozymes (PKC, and ). This isoflurane-induced EAAT3 redistribution was also blocked when the expression of PKC but not PKC proteins was down regulated by the respective antisense oligonucleotides. The isoflurane-induced increase of glutamate uptake by EAAT3 was abolished by the down regulation of PKC expression. Immunoprecipitation with an anti-EAAT3 antibody pulled down more PKC in cells exposed to isoflurane than in control cells. Isoflurane also increased the phosphorylated EAAT3 and the redistribution of PKC to the particulate fraction of cells. Consistent with the results in C6 cells, isoflurane also increased EAAT3 cell surface expression and enhanced the association of PKC with EAAT3 in rat hippocampal synaptosomes. Our results suggest that the isoflurane-induced increase in EAAT3 activity requires an increased amount of EAAT3 protein in the plasma membrane. These effects are PKC-dependent and may rely on the formation of an EAAT3-PKC complex. Together, these results suggest an important mechanism for the regulation of glutamate transporter functions and expand our understanding of isoflurane pharmacology at cellular and molecular levels.

Key words: Protein Kinase C, Amino Acid, Gases/general anesthetics

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