Localization of protein kinase C in normal and galactosemic bovine lens epithelial cells in culture.

The localization of the two major isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC), PKCalpha and PKCgamma, present in normal and galactosemic bovine lens epithelial cells in culture, was determined using PKC isoform-specific antisera and visualized with FITC-conjugated secondary antisera. The results indicated that the localization of PKC changed upon exposure to 40 mM galactose after 1 day. The subcellular distribution of control cells was cytoplasmic and perinuclear for PKCalpha, while, in 40 mM galactose-treated cells, PKCalpha was also localized to nuclei. In contrast, upon exposure to 40 mM galactose the PKCgamma of the lens epithelial cells was observed in nucleoli. These results suggest that the subcellular distribution of the PKC isoforms in bovine lens epithelial cells differs and is altered upon exposure to 40 mM galactose.