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Somatic accumulation of primed PKC is an early step in prion neurotoxicity
This immunofluorescence micrograph catches a cultured neuron 30 minutes after exposure to pathogenic prions (PrP Sc ). Protein Kinase C (PKC) primed by phosphorylation at serine-660 rapidly accumulates in specialized endosomes within the cell body, prior to its redistribution to dendritic spines. Colocalization of the primed PKC (red) with total PKC (green) produces striking yellow/orange fluorescence in the cell body. A similar effect is elicited by other strong PKC activators like phorbol ester. This acute spatial rearrangement of a key signaling kinase highlights a crucial, pre-degenerative window prior to neuronal fragmentation and death. Le et al. 2026
Image Credit: Nhat T. T. Le