Protein kinase C zeta type (PRKCZ) (PRKCZ)

Protein kinase C zeta (PRKCZ) is an atypical member of the protein kinase C (PKC) family, distinguished by its lack of requirement for calcium or diacylglycerol for activation (UniProt P05508). It serves as a central signaling hub in various pathways, most notably in the establishment of cell polarity through the Par complex and the regulation of glucose uptake via GLUT4 translocation in response to insulin (NCBI Gene ID 5590). PRKCZ also modulates the NF-kappa-B pathway, influencing inflammatory responses and cell survival (PubMed: 11836274). In clinical contexts, its dysregulation is linked to metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and the progression of several cancers, including prostate and breast malignancies (PubMed: 24501134). While it represents a promising therapeutic target, the development of selective inhibitors like CRT0066854 is complicated by the structural similarities among PKC isoforms and the protein's essential role in maintaining normal cellular architecture (PubMed: 21135165). Furthermore, its role in memory maintenance has been a subject of significant research and debate in neuroscience (PubMed: 17088210).

Other names

PKC-zetaAtypical protein kinase C zetanPKC-zetaPKC2

Inhibition of serine/threonine kinase activity