AIM: To clarify whether Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) activates the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in pancreatic cancer.METHODS: Panc-1, a human pancreatic cancer cell line, was used throughout the study. The expression of LPA receptors was confirmed by reverse-transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cytosolic free calcium was measured by fluorescent calcium indicator fura-2, and the localization of NF-κB was visualized by immunofluorescent method with or without various agents, which effect cell signaling.RESULTS: Panc-1 expressed LPA receptors, LPAA1,LPA2 and LPA3. LPA caused the elevation of cytosolic free calcium dose-dependently. LPA also caused the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Cytosolic free calcium was attenuated by pertussis toxin (PTX) and U73122,an inhibitor of phospholipase C. The translocation of NF-κB was similarly attenuated by PTX and U73122,but phorbol ester, an activator of protein kinase C,alone did not translocate NF-κB. Furthermore, the transtocation of NF-κB was completely blocked by Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM. Thapsigargin, an endoplasmic-reticulum Ca2+-ATPase pump inhibitor, also promoted the translocation of NF-κB. Staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, attenuated translocation of NF-κB induced by LPA.CONCLUSlON: These findings suggest that protein kinase C is activated endogenously in Panc-1, and protein kinase C is essential for activating NF-κB with cytosolic calcium and that LPA induces the nuclear translocation of NF-κB in Panc-1 by mobilizing cytosolic free calcium.