In vitro studies with peptide inhibitors have been informative in elucidating the role of PKC isozymes in mediating effects of ethanol. Chronic exposure of PC12 cells to ethanol upregulates the abundance of N-type calcium channels, an effect that is blocked by a peptide inhibitor of PKCε.192 Chronic ethanol treatment also enhances NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, and this response is also attenuated by depletion193 or inhibition of PKCε.194 In PC12 cells, chronic ethanol exposure causes an upregulation of L-type calcium channels, which is mediated by PKCδ.195
