Stimulation of Protein Phosphorylations in frog Rod Outer Segments by Protein Kinase Activators

Addition of protein kinase C activators to electropermeabilized frog rod photoreceptors enhances the phosphorylation of proteins with molecular masses of 54, 24, 19, 17, 12, and 11 kDa. The latter two correspond to components I and II, which are also phosphorylated by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase. Stimulation of phosphorylation by the protein kinase C activator oleoylacetylglycerol (OAG) is half-maximal at 7.7 microM OAG and is reduced by the protein kinase C inhibitor H-7. In contrast with earlier observations, no effects of calcium, calmodulin, or insulin on protein phosphorylations are observed. We find evidence for only three protein kinases in rod outer segments: a protein kinase C-like activity, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, and rhodopsin kinase. With the exception of components I and II, the substrate proteins for each kinase are distinct. Treatment of intact rods with OAG decreases the amplitude of the photoresponse and dark levels of cGMP up to 40%, as well as depressing the light-stimulated decrease in cGMP levels. These effects are observed between 0.1 and 1 microM OAG. The data suggest that OAG-sensitive reactions may modulate pathways that support the light response.