PRKCZ Gene (Protein Kinase C Zeta): Function, Expression, and Disease Associations

PRKCZ encodes protein kinase C zeta (PKCζ), an atypical member of the protein kinase C (PKC) family. Unlike conventional PKCs, PKCζ is not activated by calcium or diacylglycerol but is regulated by phosphorylation and protein-protein interactions. It plays critical roles in cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and immune responses, particularly through NF-κB signaling and insulin signaling pathways. PRKCZ is involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism, neuronal function, and inflammatory responses. Dysregulation of PRKCZ has been implicated in various cancers, metabolic disorders, and neurological conditions.

Tissue Expression

Cell Line Expression

Hotspot Mutations

Mutation functional classification

• NF-κB signaling pathway

• Insulin signaling pathway

• ErbB signaling pathway

• T cell receptor signaling pathway

• Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway

• Neurotrophin signaling pathway

• Sphingolipid signaling pathway

• Regulation of actin cytoskeleton

Protein kinase C zeta (PKCζ) is a 67.7 kDa serine/threonine kinase composed of 592 amino acids. It contains an N-terminal PB1 domain, a C2-like domain, and a C-terminal kinase domain. PKCζ is atypical as it lacks the calcium-binding C2 domain and the diacylglycerol-binding C1 domain found in conventional PKCs. It is activated by phosphorylation at Thr410 and Thr560, and by interaction with proteins such as Par6 and p62. PKCζ regulates diverse cellular processes including glucose transport, cell polarity, and immune responses. Its activity is tightly controlled by phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and protein-protein interactions.