Effect of isoquinolinesulfonamides on heat shock gene expression during heating at 41 degrees C in human carcinoma cell lines

Abstract

The possible involvement of PKC in the regulation of heat shock genes expression was investigated with three isoquinolinesulfonamide derivatives (H-7, H-8, and HA1004) in DUT-145, MCF-7, and MCF-7/ADR cells. The drug was added 1 hr before and during heating at 41 degrees C. Northern blots show that the levels of HSP70 and HSP28 mRNA increased rapidly and reached maximal values within 4-8 hr and 8-12 hr, respectively. H-7 and H-8 which are potent PKC inhibitors selectively suppressed the accumulation of HSP70 mRNA as well as the synthesis of HSP70. In contrast, HA1004 which is a potent PKA inhibitor but a weak PKC inhibitor did not affect HSP70 gene expression. These results suggest that PKC rather than PKA plays an important role in the regulation of heat shock gene expression.