Protein kinase C theta (PKCtheta): a key player in T cell life and death.
Protein kinase C theta (PKCtheta) is a member of the novel, Ca(2+)-independent PKC subfamily, which plays an important and non-redundant role in several aspects of T cell biology. Much progress has been accomplished in understanding the function of PKCtheta in the immune system and its unique translocation to the immunological synapse in Ag-stimulated T lymphocytes. Biochemical and genetic approaches revealed that PKCtheta is required for the activation of mature T cells as well as for their survival. Mutation of the PKCtheta gene leads to impaired receptor-induced stimulation of the transcription factors AP-1, NF-kappaB and NFAT, which results in defective T cell activation, and to aberrant expression of apoptosis-related proteins, resulting in poor T cell survival. Furthermore, PKCtheta-deficient mice display defects in the differentiation of T helper subsets, particularly in Th2- and Th17-mediated inflammatory responses. Therefore, PKCtheta is a critical enzyme that regulates T cell function at multiple stages, and it represents an attractive drug target for allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Hayashi
Keitaro
K
Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Altman
Amnon
A
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000074121:Protein Kinase C-theta; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
D007527:Isoenzymes; C076233:PRKCQ protein, human; C489593:Prkcq protein, mouse; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D000074121:Protein Kinase C-theta