Protein kinase Cε:: function in neurons

Protein kinase C epsilon is expressed at higher levels in the brain compared to other tissues such as the heart and kidney, suggesting that it plays an important role in the nervous system. Several neural functions of PKC epsilon, including neurotransmitter release and ion channel regulation, have been identified using PKC epsilon knockout mice. In this review, we focus on the involvement of protein kinase C epsilon in neurite outgrowth, presynaptic regulation, alcohol actions, ischemic preconditioning and pain.