Protein kinase C δ-dependent regulation of Ubiquitin-proteasome system function in breast cancer

Besides the crucial role of hyperinsulinemia in the development of breast cancer with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), it has been shown that hyperglycemia could contribute to promote cancer progression. A remarkable association within hyperglycemia, PKCδ and Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has been reported, suggesting that PKCδ may mediate high glucose-induced UPS activation in breast cancer cells. Although the independent effects of PKCδ or UPS on breast cancer and T2DM are increasingly supported by experimental evidence, the complex interactional link between PKCδ and UPS is still unclear. Hence, we focus on the relationship between PKCδ and UPS in breast cancer with T2DM. We hypothesize that PKCδ may have the function to regulate the activity of UPS. Further, we speculate that PKCδ combine with proteasome α2 promoter, that indicate PKCδ regulate the function of UPS by change the composition of proteasome. Therefore, we surmise that PKCδ mediated high glucose-induced UPS activation in breast cancer cells, and specific PKCδ inhibitor rottlerin significantly suppressed elevated glucose induced the activity of UPS. We hope that our paper will stimulate further studies the relationship between PKCδ and UPS, and a new targeted therapy and early medical intervention for PKCδ could be a useful option for breast cancer cases complicated with T2DM or hyperglycemia.