The atypical protein kinase C isoform PRKC iota (PRKCI) is a member of the protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine protein kinases. The PKC family consists of at least eight members that are differentially expressed and involved in various cellular processes. This protein kinase is calcium independent and phospholipid dependent. This kinase can be recruited to vesicular tubular clusters (VTCs) by directly interacting with the small GTPase RAB2, where the kinase phosphorylates 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde dehydrogenase (GAPD/GAPDH) and plays a role in microtubule dynamics of early secretion pathways. PRKC iota has been found to be necessary for BCL-ABL mediated resistance to drug-induced apoptosis, thus protecting leukemia cells from drug-induced apoptosis.
