Cyclic AMP and calcium in mouse mammary tumour virus expression: effects and post-transcriptional site of action

Abstract

ABSTRACT The role of cyclic AMP (cAMP), calcium, calmodulin and protein kinase C (PKC) in the expression of both mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) RNA and an MMTV glycoprotein, gp58, was investigated in normal mammary epithelium in culture. None of these second messengers had any effect on MMTV RNA. Dibutyryl cAMP alone had no effect on gp58 levels but, at low concentrations (0·05–0·1 mm), it nearly doubled the induction seen with insulin, cortisol and prolactin; higher concentrations were inhibitory. Although a calcium ionophore (A23187), either alone or with hormones, was ineffective, a calcium channel blocker (verapamil) reduced hormonal induction of gp58 by 80%, and a calmodulin inhibitor (W-13) reduced it by 90%. Two PKC activators, a phorbol ester and a diacylglyceride, were ineffective alone, with hormones or with the calcium ionophore. The following conclusions can be made: (1) cAMP, calcium and calmodulin play an important role in MMTV expression, (2) these second messengers all act post-transcriptionally, since they do not affect MMTV RNA, and (3) PKC does not appear to have a role in MMTV production in normal mammary epithelium.