PRKCE
PRKCE (protein kinase C epsilon, PKCε) is a calcium-independent, phospholipid- and diacylglycerol-dependent serine/threonine kinase of the PKC family. It regulates cytoskeleton-linked processes such as adhesion, motility and cell cycle, and contributes to neuronal, cardiac and immune signalling. Browse Assay Genie's current range of PRKCE research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
PRKCE is a calcium-independent, phospholipid- and diacylglycerol (DAG)-dependent serine/threonine-protein kinase. It plays essential roles in cellular processes linked to cytoskeletal proteins, including cell adhesion, motility, migration and cell cycle, and it also functions in neuron growth, ion channel regulation, immune response, cancer cell invasion and regulation of apoptosis. Its substrates include MARCKS, vimentin, keratin-8 and IQGAP1, through which it influences integrin trafficking, desmosome targeting and epithelial cell-cell detachment before migration. During cytokinesis it forms a complex with YWHAB that is crucial for daughter cell separation.
In the heart, PRKCE regulates myofilament function at the Z-lines and, during endothelin-induced hypertrophy, mediates activation of PTK2/FAK, which is critical for cardiomyocyte survival. Persistent phosphorylation of troponin I by this kinase has been linked to the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy. In neurons it phosphorylates the GABA receptor subunit gamma-2, the cation channel TRPV1 and the calcium channel subunit CACNA1B, and it regulates dopamine signalling by phosphorylating DRD1. Downstream of TLR4, it phosphorylates and activates TICAM2/TRAM, leading to IRF3 activation and cytokine production in the lipopolysaccharide response. In prostate cancer cells it phosphorylates STAT3, and in erythroid progenitors it is regulated by EPO and protects against TRAIL-mediated apoptosis via BCL2.
The PRKCE gene encodes a member of the AGC Ser/Thr protein kinase family, PKC subfamily, classed by HGNC among the C2 domain containing protein kinases. PKC family members are major receptors for phorbol esters, a class of tumour promoters, and each has a specific expression profile and a distinct role. Beyond the functions above, this kinase is implicated in cardioprotection from ischaemia, heat shock response and insulin exocytosis. Knockout studies in mice suggest it is important for LPS-mediated signalling in activated macrophages and may influence anxiety-like behaviour. Mouse and rat orthologs are both named Prkce.
PRKCE regulates myofilament function and cardiomyocyte survival, and has been linked to cardioprotection from ischaemia and to dilated cardiomyopathy.
It phosphorylates GABA receptors, TRPV1, CACNA1B and DRD1, making it relevant to synaptic transmission, nociception and responses to ethanol.
Downstream of TLR4, PRKCE activates TICAM2/TRAM and IRF3 to drive LPS-induced cytokine production in macrophages.
PRKCE phosphorylates STAT3, vimentin and IQGAP1, contributing to prostate cancer cell invasion, cell-cell detachment and migration.
PRKCE is a diacylglycerol-dependent, calcium-independent serine/threonine kinase. It phosphorylates cytoskeletal and signalling proteins to regulate cell adhesion, migration, cytokinesis, apoptosis, ion channel activity and TLR4-driven immune responses. Its roles in heart and nervous system tissue are well described in the UniProt annotation.
PRKCE is the HGNC symbol for protein kinase C epsilon, also written PKCε. The previous HGNC name was protein kinase C, epsilon, and UniProt lists the protein as protein kinase C epsilon type. It carries the enzyme classification EC 2.7.11.13.
Mouse and rat both carry a Prkce ortholog. Mouse knockout studies point to a role in LPS-mediated signalling in macrophages and possibly anxiety-like behaviour. In humans the kinase is linked to dilated cardiomyopathy and prostate cancer cell invasion. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other protein kinase C family members, PRKCE substrates and signalling partners in cardiac, neuronal and immune pathways.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q02156; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.