PKCε/A0144

Protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε), also known as A0144, is one of the isoforms of protein serine/threonine kinase C (PKC).

Protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε), also known as A0144, is one of the isoforms of protein serine/threonine kinase C (PKC). At least 10 isoforms have been described. PKC belongs to the AGC group of protein kinases. The different isoforms are classified according to their activation requirements. The classical or conventional isoforms (cPKC), include PKCα, βI, βII and γ, and are regulated by calcium and diacylglycerol (DAG). The novel isoforms (nPKC), PKCδ, ε, η and θ are activated by DAG but calcium independent. The atypical isoforms (aPKC), PKCζ and λ/ι are regulated by DAG/phorbol ester and are calcium insensitive. Similar to PRKCB1 null mice, PKCε mutants have defects in the immune response signaling and the activation of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-B) cascade. These mice present reduced anxiety-like behavior, accompanied by reduced levels of stress hormones. PKCε over-expression reduces the number of amyloid plaques in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. PKCε is possibly involved in for thyroid tumorigenesis.