A stimulatory role for the protein kinase C pathway in ovarian prostaglandin synthesis: studies with cultured swine granulosa cells.

A calcium-sensitive, lipid-activated protein kinase is present in ovarian granulosa cells and may modulate granulosa cell function through an effect on granulosa cells prostaglandin F2 alpha biosynthesis. Phorbol-ester activation of this protein kinase elicits a dose- and time-dependent augmentation in the synthesis of PGF2 alpha by swine granulosa cells which can be inhibited by inhibitors of prostaglandin and protein synthesis. Our studies support a linkage between protein kinase C activation and prostaglandin F2 alpha synthesis by these cells.