PKC epsilon in Protein Translation

PKC epsilon is an important signaling molecule among others in pain sensitization and stress response. Signaling components leading towards the activation of PKC epsilon have recently been published. In contrast, substrates and pathways downstream of PKC epsilon are still not well described. In an in vitro kinase substrate screen, we now identified a large number of substrate candidates of PKC epsilon which play a role in protein translation. Accordingly we find colocalization of PKC epsilon in structures of translational regulation, namely P-bodies and stress granules. Knockdown of PKCe influences both the number of P-bodies and the number of stress granules. A fluorescence based method to show protein translation (FUNCAT) shows that PKCe knockdown significantly decreases protein translation. We thereby identify a novel aspect to be regulated by PKCe beyond the reported modulation of membrane proteins and the regulation of mitochondrial function.