Effect of tumor promoters on the activity of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent and -independent protein kinases from mouse epidermis.

Cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP)-dependent and -independent protein kinases were detected and partially characterized in soluble extracts from mouse epidermis. Cylic AMP-dependent histone kinase activity was separated rom cyclic AMP-independent casein kinase activity by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. The application of the tumor promoters croton oil or 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate to mouse skin caused a rapid increase in the soluble protein extractable from the epidermis resulting in a decrease in the specific activity of both classes of protein kinase when expressed on a protein basis. No change in the activities of either the cyclic AMP-dependent or -independent enzymes was observed when expressed relative to the DNA content.