RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Hypophosphorylation of topoisomerase II in etoposide (VP-16)-resistant human leukemia K562 cells associated with reduced levels of beta II protein kinase C. JF Molecular Pharmacology JO Mol Pharmacol FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 798 OP 805 VO 48 IS 5 A1 M K Ritke A1 N R Murray A1 W P Allan A1 A P Fields A1 J C Yalowich YR 1995 UL http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/48/5/798.abstract AB We selected and characterized a 30-fold etoposide (VP-16)-resistant subline of K562 human leukemia cells (K/VP.5) that exhibits quantitative and qualitative changes in topoisomerase II, including hypophosphorylation of this drug target. The initial rate of topoisomerase II phosphorylation was reduced 3-fold in K/VP.5 compared with K562 cells, but the rate of dephosphorylation was similar. Analysis of potential topoisomerase II protein kinases revealed a 3-fold reduction in the level of the beta II protein kinase C (PKC) in K/VP.5 cells, whereas levels of alpha- and epsilon PKC, casein kinase II, p42map kinase, and p34cdc2 kinase were comparable for both cell lines. The PKC activator, bryostatin 1, together with K562 nuclear extracts potentiated VP-16-induced topoisomerase II/DNA covalent complex formation in nuclei isolated from K/VP.5 cells but not from K562 cells. Bryostatin 1 effects were blocked by the PKC inhibitor 7-O-methyl-hydroxy-staurosporine. Bryostatin 1 also up-regulated topoisomerase II phosphorylation and potentiated VP-16 activity in intact K/VP.5 cells but had no enhancing effect in K562 cells. 4 beta-Phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate did not potentiate VP-16-induced topoisomerase II/DNA complex formation in intact cells or in isolated K/VP.5 nuclei. Together, our results indicate that beta II PKC plays a role in modulating the VP-16-induced DNA binding activity of topoisomerase II in resistant K/VP.5 cells through a mechanism linked to phosphorylation of topoisomerase II.