Protein kinase C is involved in the early signals of interferon-alpha but not of interferon-gamma in U937 cells.

Increasing interest is being focused on the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the mode of action of interferons (IFNs). Here we report that IFN-alpha induced a transient translocation of PKC from the cytosol to the particulate fraction of U937 cells. In contrast, after IFN-gamma treatment, no significant change in PKC activity could be observed. IFN-induced changes in membrane potential were also examined by means of a potential sensitive oxonal dye and flow cytometry. Hyperpolarization was induced by both IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma. The protein kinase inhibitor H-7 blocked the hyperpolarization induced by IFN-alpha but not by IFN-gamma. These concordant results suggest that PKC is involved in the early signals of IFN-alpha but not of IFN-gamma in U937 cells.