Perturbations in phosphoinositide metabolism and protein kinase C activity in mouse liver following whole body irradiation.

The involvement of the signal transduction pathway in mouse liver following whole body irradition was investigated. Mice were exposed to 60Co gamma rays (3 Gy) and sacrificed after different time intervals. Various elements of phosphatidyl inositol signal transduction pathway were investigated. Alterations could be seen as early as 15 min of irradiation. These changes are reflected in elevation in DAG levels and increased activation of PKC, an enzyme which is involved in tumorigenesis. The chronological appearance of various transducers following whole body irradiation is of significance since these early effects may set the stage for radiation-induced tumorigenesis and hence may be used to manipulate tumor response to radiotherapy.