After nearly four decades of research, scientists at the Mayo Clinic have uncovered the molecular structure of protein kinase C beta (PKCβ), an important protein that helps regulate cell growth and has been linked to diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. The breakthrough, published in the journal Nature Communications, was made possible by producing the protein in human cells, overcoming technical challenges that had limited previous studies.
The research revealed how certain membrane lipids switch on PKCβ by acting like a molecular lever. The team also discovered how the breast cancer drug endoxifen blocks the protein’s activity. Instead of directly shutting down the protein, endoxifen works through an allosteric mechanism that locks PKCβ at the cell membrane and promotes its breakdown. This unique approach may lead to more effective and precise treatments for cancer and neurological disorders. Researchers now plan to map the structures of all 10 members of the PKC protein family, potentially opening new avenues for drug development.