Protein kinase Cζ and glucose uptake

Protein kinase C (PKC xi) is a member of the PKC family, serving downstream of insulin receptor and phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase. Many evidences suggest that PKC zeta plays a very important role in activating glucose transport response. Not only insulin but also glucose and exercise can activate PKC zeta through diverse pathways. PKC xi activation and activity are impaired with insulin resistance in muscle and adipose tissues of type 11 diabetes individuals, but heightened in liver tissue, wherein it also increases lipid synthesis mediated by SREBP-1c (sterol-regulatory element-binding protein). Many studies have focused on linkage between PKC zeta and GLUT4 translocation and activation. Exploring the molecular mechanisms and pathways by which PKC zeta mediates glucose transport will highlight the insulin-signaling pathway.