Protein kinase C isoenzyme: selective expression pattern of protein kinaseC-theta during mouse development

Protein kinase C (PKC)-theta, a serine/threonine protein kinase and novel P KC subfamily member, has been recently identified as an essential component of the T cell synapse which activates the NF-kB signaling cascade leading to expression of the IL-2 gene during T cell activation. By RNA in situ hyb ridization to whole-body embryo sections it is shown that the murine PKC th eta is specifically expressed in tissues with hematopoietic and lymphopoiet ic activity. Expression is also evident in skeletal muscle. A further highl y specific expression was observed in the peripheral and central nervous sy stem which is described in detail. Expression in the brain persists up to a dult stages. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.