PKCα enhances the proliferation of several tumor cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Increases permeability of endothelial and epithelial tight junctions.

Protein Kinase C (PKC) is a serine/threonine kinase that is activated intracellularly by signal transduction pathways that produce DAG from phosphatidylinositol diphosphate (PIP₂) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) through the action of various activated phospholipases. Phorbol esters also stimulate PKC. At least 11 PKC isozymes have been identified that differ in primary structure, tissue distribution, subcellular localization, response to extracellular signals, and substrate specificity. The isozymes can be grouped into three subfamilies. Members of the first family require Ca²⁺ and phospholipid and include PKCα, βI, βII, and γ. Members of the second family are phospholipid-dependent but Ca²⁺-independent, and include PKCδ, ε, η, and θ. Members of the third family are not activated by either DAG or phorbol esters and include PKCξ, μ, and ι.
Phosphorylation appears to be an important mechanism of regulation of all PKCs. PKC plays a role in the regulation of cell transformation, growth, differentiation, ruffling, vesicle trafficking, apoptosis and gene expression.

Supplied as a buffered aqueous glycerol solution, containing Trizma buffer, NaCl, DTT and Glutathione.

One unit will transfer 1 pmol of phosphate from ATP to Histone H1 in 1 minute at pH 7.4 at 30 °C