| Symbol | PRKCH |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Protein Kinase C Eta |
| Chromosome | 14q23.3 |
| NCBI Gene ID | [5585](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/5585) |
| UniProt ID | [P24728](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P24728) |
| Ensembl ID | [ENSG00000027075](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000027075) |
| Protein Class | Serine/Threonine Kinase |
| Expression | Brain, epithelial cells, skin |
PRKCH (Protein Kinase C Eta) is a member of the protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases. It encodes the protein kinase C eta (PKCη) isoform, which is expressed in various tissues including the brain, epithelial cells, and skin [1]. PKCη plays important roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and signal transduction pathways relevant to neuronal function and neuroprotection [2].
Protein kinase C eta (PKCη) is a member of the novel subclass of PKC enzymes, characterized by its sensitivity to diacylglycerol (DAG) and phorbol esters but independence from calcium [3]. The enzyme is involved in several key cellular processes:
PRKCH is expressed in multiple brain regions, with notable expression in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. The protein is also highly expressed in epithelial cells throughout the body and in skin tissues [1:1]. In the brain, PKCη is localized in both neuronal cell bodies and synaptic terminals, suggesting roles in synaptic transmission and plasticity.
PKCη participates in multiple signaling cascades:
PKCη represents a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. Activators of PKCη may offer neuroprotective effects by:
Protein Kinase C eta in neuronal function - Journal of Neuroscience Research. ↩︎ ↩︎
[The PKC family: characteristics and functions - Cell](https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-8674(00). ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
PKC eta and cell differentiation - Journal of Cell Science. ↩︎
PKC eta and Alzheimer's disease - Neurobiology of Aging. 2015. ↩︎
PKC signaling in Parkinson's disease - Movement Disorders. ↩︎
PKC eta in skin disease - Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2004. ↩︎
PKC eta activates Akt pathway - Journal of Biological Chemistry. ↩︎