Cooperative Activation of Lipolysis by Protein Kinase A and Protein Kinase C Pathways in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

In the present study, we investigate the coherence of signaling pathways leading to lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We observe two linear signaling pathways: one well known, acting via cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA) activation, and a second one induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment involving protein kinase C (PKC) and MAPK. We demonstrate that both the PKA regulatory subunits RIα and RIIβ are expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and are responsible for the lipolytic effect mediated via the cAMP/PKA pathway. Inhibition of the PKA pathway by the selective PKA inhibitor Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS does not impair lipolysis induced by PKC activation, and neither PD98059 nor U0126, as known MAPK kinase inhibitors, changes the level of glycerol release caused by PKA activation, indicating no cross-talk between these two pathways when only one is activated. However, when both are activated, they act synergistically on glycerol release. Additional experiments focusing on this synergy show no involvement of MAPK phos...