title: Protein kinase Cε as a cancer marker and target for anticancer therapy.
abstract: Protein kinase Cε (PKCε) is a representative member of a family of novel PKC isoforms that are independent of calcium, but can be activated by phorbol esters, diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphatidylserine (PS). This kinase is capable of modulating crucial cell functions, including proliferation, differentiation and survival. These activities depend on enzyme translocation to subcellular compartments upon binding DAG, PS or exogenous stimulators. PKCε initiates malignant transformation of cells through its effects on the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway and displays the greatest carcinogenic potential of all PKC isoforms. PKCε also promotes tumor metastatic capacity and resistance to anti-cancer therapy. Overexpression of PKCε is found in numerous cancers including colon, breast, stomach, prostate, thyroid and lung and is considered an important marker of negative disease outcome. Although overexpression of PKCε is observed in tumors, it is not found in healthy tissues hence it has been suggested as a diagnostic marker or a putative target for specific inhibitors used for treatment of cancer. Research on selective inhibition of PKCε is under way and diverse approaches may become clinically applicable anti-tumor strategies. Suppression of the PKCε-encoding gene achieved through the antisense cDNA, suppression of PKCε with RNAi and inhibition achieved with translocation-inhibitory peptides may provide novel treatment strategies for cancer.
authors: Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewskiego 49, PL 60-355 Poznań, Poland.
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Totoń
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Ignatowicz
authors: Karolina
authors: K
authors: Skrzeczkowska
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Rybczyńska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D051744:Protein Kinase C-epsilon / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051744:Protein Kinase C-epsilon