UC San Diego

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a Ser/Thr kinase involved in a variety of cellular pathways ranging from proliferation to memory and learning. In pathological conditions where these signaling pathways have gone awry, PKC has become an important therapeutic target. In order to design specific drugs to target PKC, it is important to understand how PKC is regulated. This dissertation focuses on the life cycle of PKC, from its maturation into a catalytically, competent enzyme to its down-regulation and degradation. Specifically, we have identified novel regulators that control the maturation of PKC and have characterized the molecular mechanisms that dictate the downregulation of PKC. By understanding what factors influence the life cycle of PKC, we can develop more effective therapeutics to target PKC in disease.