Protein kinase A regulatory subunit distribution in medulloblastoma.

<bold>Background: </bold>Previous studies showed a differential distribution of the four regulatory subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinases inside the brain, that changed in rodent gliomas: therefore, the distribution of these proteins inside the brain can give information on the functional state of the cells. Our goal was to examine human brain tumors to provide evidence for a differential distribution of protein kinase A in different tumors.<bold>Methods: </bold>The distribution of detergent insoluble regulatory (R1 and R2) and catalytic subunits of cAMP dependent kinases was examined in pediatric brain tumors by immunohistochemistry and fluorescent cAMP analogues binding.<bold>Results: </bold>R2 is organized in large single dots in medulloblastomas, while it has a different appearance in other tumors. Fluorescent cAMP labelling was observed only in medulloblastoma.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>A different distribution of cAMP dependent protein kinases has been observed in medulloblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]