Delta protein kinase-C in the rat ovary: estrogen regulation and localization.

The present studies were undertaken to examine the cellular distribution and regulation of delta protein kinase-C (PKC) at different stages of luteal differentiation in the rat. Results from in situ hybridization studies with a delta PKC-specific probe demonstrated that delta PKC was localized specifically in granulosa cells of healthy preantral, small antral, and preovulatory follicles and corpora lutea from the second half of pregnancy. Northern and Western blot analyses showed that levels of delta PKC protein and messenger RNA were elevated 25- and 35-fold, respectively, in the second half of pregnancy over levels in preovulatory follicle-enriched ovaries, peaking between days 18-20 of pregnancy. Levels of alpha PKC, beta PKC, and zeta PKC remained unchanged during luteal differentiation. In rats hypophysectomized and hysterectomized on day 12 of pregnancy and in immature rats containing corpora lutea induced with PMSG followed by hCG injections, exogenous estrogen caused 3- and 7-fold increases in delta PKC protein, respectively. In the immature rat model, delta PKC messenger RNA levels were not altered by exogenous estrogen. Although exogenous testosterone also elevated delta PKC protein levels, exogenous dihydrotestosterone and progesterone were ineffective. These results suggest that estrogen may participate, at a posttranscriptional level, in the dramatic induction of delta PKC seen at the end of pregnancy in rat corpora lutea.