Loss of protein kinase C function induces an apoptotic response.

A correlation has been observed between the dephosphorylation and downregulation of cPKC and the induction of apoptosis. This relationship is shown to be causal in COS cells where expression of dominant negative 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.