LOSS OF PROTEIN-KINASE-C FUNCTION INDUCES AN APOPTOTIC RESPONSE

A correlation has been observed between the dephosphorylation and down regulation of cPKC and the induction of apoptosis. This relationship i s shown to be causal in COS cells where expression of dominant negativ e PKC alpha is shown to induce apoptosis. This response is rescued by co-expression of wild-type PKC alpha. The results demonstrate that PKC provides a survival signal that can be supplied by PKC alpha alone.