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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Assessment of Mitochondrial Functions and Cell Viability in Renal Cells Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Isozymes
Published on: January 7, 2013
Protein kinase C eta is associated with progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
Walburgis Brenner1, Gloria Färber, Thomas Herget
1Department of Urology, University of Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany. brenner@mail.uni-mainz.de
Background:
The expression of all eleven PKC-isoforms in clear cell RCCs (ccRCC) and in the corresponding normal renal tissue was quantified. A possible association of PKC-isoforms with histopathological parameters was examined.
Materials And Methods:
Proteins were isolated from tumor and normal tissue of 43 patients with ccRCC. Expression of PKC-isoforms were quantified by Western blot analysis.
Results:
In both, ccRCCs and the corresponding normal renal tissue, all PKC-isoforms apart from PKC gamma and theta were detectable. Striking associations between PKC-isoforms and histopathological parameters were observed: (i) a 3-fold increase in PKC eta of grade 3 and 4 versus grade 1 and 2 tumors (p = 0.025), (ii) a decrease of PKC alpha in tumor versus normal tissue of 18% (p = 0.020) and (iii) a 20% increase of PKC zeta in grade 3 and 4 versus grade 1 and 2 tumors (p = 0.092).
Conclusion:
The major result is a clear correlation of PKC eta expression with tumor progression. This observation-is in agreement with the known oncogenic properties of PKC eta. Similarly, oncogenic PKC zeta also increased with tumor progression. PKC alpha, with known tumor-suppressor properties, was decreased in ccRCC versus normal tissue. These findings may become important for both classification and treatment of ccRCC.
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