Protein Kinase C Regulates Meiosis in Mammalian Oocytes.

The protein kinase C (PKC) family comprises enzyme kinases that regulate cell survival, metabolism, and proliferation. PKC isotypes (PKCs) phosphorylate specific downstream substrates, thereby controlling critical steps in both mitotic and meiotic cell division. Throughout the cell cycle, PKCs orchestrate essential processes, such as chromosome segregation, recombination, and cell cycle progression. In vertebrates, PKCs play essential roles in oogenesis and the early stages of embryo development. Disruption of PKC signaling in mammalian oocytes can lead to errors in chromosome segregation and induce meiotic arrest. Therefore, investigating PKC function in meiosis is crucial for advancing fundamental biological research and for developing new approaches to infertility treatment.