PKC gamma Proteins

Protein Information

The PKC family of serine/threonine kinases, including PRKCG (PKC gamma), is activated intracellularly by signal transduction pathways. In humans, at least 12 different PKC polypeptides have been identified. These isoforms differ in primary structure, tissue distribution, subcellular localization, mode of action in vitro, response to extracellular signals, and substrate specificity. PKC alpha, beta I, beta II, and gamma form the conventional family; their activities are Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent. Protein kinase C can be activated by calcium and second messenger diacylglycerol. PKC family members phosphorylate a wide variety of protein targets and are known to be involved in diverse cellular signaling pathways. PKC also serve as major receptors for phorbol esters, a class of tumor promoters. Each member of the PKC family has a specific expression profile and is believed to play distinct roles in cells. PKC gamma is one of the PKC family members. This protein kinase is expressed solely in the brain and spinal cord and its localization is restricted to neurons. It has been demonstrated that several neuronal functions, including long term potentiation (LTP) and long term depression (LTD), specifically require this kinase. Knockout studies in mice also suggest that this kinase may be involved in neuropathic pain development. Defects in this protein have been associated with neurodegenerative disorder spinocerebellar ataxia-14 (SCA14).

Synonyms

PKC; Pkcc; PKCG; PKCgamma; PKC-gamma; PKCI; Prkc; Prkcc; Prkcg; protein kinase C gamma; protein kinase C gamma type; protein kinase C type I (gamma type); protein kinase C, gamma; RATPKCI; SCA14