Abstract
Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine/threonine kinases comprising 10 isoforms. Each PKC isoform has a different pattern of cell distribution, can be activated independently by specific stimuli, and mediates distinct biological functions. In pancreatic acinar cells, 4 PKC isoforms, -α, -δ, -ε, and -ζ, have been detected. PKC-δ is responsible for physiological amylase secretion, and PKC-δ and -ε are implicated in NF-κB activation, a transcription factor important in the inflammatory response during pancreatitis. PKC also mediates the critical events for pancreatitis such as the inhibition of digestive enzyme secretion, the disruption of actin cytoskeleton, and the cell death although the PKC isoforms involved are remain to be determined. Understanding the mechanisms by which PKC isoforms mediate the newer signal transduction pathways and their roles in acinar cell pathophysiology will be an important area for future investigation.
