Protein kinase C (PKC) family in cancer progression

PKC family consist of a number of serine-threonine kinases which are divided into three groups based on their activating factors. PKC- have been linked to carcinogenesis since PKC activators can act as tumor promoters. Furthermore, functional studies have suggested that PKCs play a role in the carcinogenesis and maintenance of malipnant phenotype. Potentiation of 0 malignant phenotype may be mediated by activation of selective PKC isoenzymes or through altered isoenzyme expression profile compared to the originating tissue. Activation of PKC alpha and beta isoenzymes have often been linked to malignant phenotype while PKC delta is thought to mediate anti-cancer effects. This review will focus on the regulation and significance of PKC isoenzymes to cancer progression. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.