The role of protein kinase C activation in signal transmission by interleukin 2

Role of protein kinase C (PKC) in interleukin (IL) 2-induced proliferation was investigated by utilizing two murine IL 2-dependent cell lines, CT6 and CTLL-2 cell lines. CT6 cells showed a marked proliferative response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), while CTLL-2 did not. PMA induced PKC translocation from cytosol to membrane only in a PMA-responsive cell line. IL 2 failed to stimulate PKC translocation in both cell lines. H-7, a potent and specific PKC inhibitor, however, inhibited the proliferation of both cell lines induced by IL 2. Taken collectively, IL 2 may induce PKC activation without its translocation.