Mitochondrial translocation of protein kinase C δ in phorbol ester-induced cytochrome C release and apoptosis

Apoptosis is induced by the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytoplasm. The present studies demonstrate that the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induces translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) delta from the cytoplasm to mitochondria. The results also show that translocation of PKC delta results in release of cytochrome c, The functional significance of this event is further supported by the demonstration that PKC delta translocation is required for TPA-induced apoptosis, These findings demonstrate that translocation of PKC delta to mitochondria is responsible, at least in part, for inducing cytochrome c release and apoptosis.