Evolution, biochemistry and genetics of protein kinase C in fungi

From yeast to humans, protein kinase C is an enzyme of central importance in signal transduction processes. In baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a single gene encoding Pkc1p has been identified. Mutant analyses revealed that Pkc1p function is essential to ensure cellular integrity through regulation of a specific MAP kinase cascade. Due to the involvement of different defective mammalian isozymes in various diseases and the model character of simple eukaryotes, increasing attention has been paid to the structure and regulation of the enzymes of fungal origin. This review summarizes the knowledge gathered so far.