Protein kinase C isoforms in the epidermal tissues of normal and postburn human skin.

Because the expression of the isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC) in human basal keratinocytes is not understood, the expression of PKC isoforms were screened in specimens of epidermal tissue from postburn skin and the normal locations for skin grafts in patients with second or higher degrees of flame injury. The expression of individual isoform was determined by Western blot technique. Only PKC alpha and zeta were detected in the epidermal tissues of normal and postburn skin and translocation occurred in PKC alpha. Patients without antibiotic treatment after flame injury had higher expressions of PKC alpha and zeta. These findings indicate that the mechanisms of cellular differentiation and growth in postburn epidermal tissue may be related to the expression and translocation of PKC alpha induced by intra- and extracellular stimulation. These changes in PKC alpha further activate the DAG/PKC signal transduction pathways.