PROTEIN-KINASES-C - POTENTIAL TARGETS FOR INTERVENTION IN DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY

Protein kinases C are a family of serine threonine protein kinases tha t play key roles in extracellular signal transduction. Inappropriate a ctivation of protein kinase C has been implicated in the pathophysiolo gy of many diseases, including diabetes mellitus. Indeed, protein kina se C activation may contribute not only to the pathogenesis of diabeti c complications such as nephropathy and retinopathy, but also to insul in resistance. Growing awareness that protein kinase C isoforms subser ve specific subcellular functions has led to the development of isofor m-specific inhibitors, which may be useful investigational tools and t herapeutic agents for attenuating the effects of inappropriate protein kinase C activity. Here we review the role played by protein kinases C in diabetic nephropathy and the recent progress that has been made t o modulate its activity using specific inhibitors. Curr Opin Nephrol H ypertens 7:563-570. (C) 1998 Lippincott Wiiliams & Wilkins.