PKCε and cardioprotection : an exploration of putative mechanisms

• Main Author: McCarthy, Joy
• Other Authors: Essop, Faadiel
• Format: Doctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Medicine
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3429

Includes bibliographical references. === Recent studies have investigated the underlying regulatory mechanisms that may explain the cardioprotective role of PKCε. Sub-proteome analysis has identified interactions between activated PKCε and various mitochondrial proteins, which orchestrate mitochondrial homeostasis, including proteins governing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, electron transfer, ion transport and control of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). MPT disruption is regarded as a key step in the initiation of an apoptotic cascade. However, brief pore opening may be beneficial in triggering the generation of small amounts of protective reactive oxygen species (ROS) and restoring calcium homeostasis. PKCε also interacts with adenine nucleotide translocases (ANTs), inner mitochondrial membrane proteins essential for ATP production and an integral component of the permeability transition pore. An augmented capacity to generate ATP would fundamentally enhance resilience to ischemia.