Identification of a novel protein kinase Cδ-Smac complex that dissociates during paclitaxel-induced cell death.
Protein kinase C (PKC) δ is a regulator of apoptosis with both pro- and anti-apoptotic effects. The mechanistic basis for the discrepant effects is not completely understood. Here we show that Smac interacts with PKCδ. The interaction depends on the N-terminus of Smac and is disrupted upon treatment with paclitaxel. This is associated with release of Smac into the cytosol. Activation of PKCδ rescu