Final answer:
Protein Kinase C (PKC) is activated through a series of steps in the cell signaling pathway, starting with the binding of an effector signal molecule to its receptor. This activates an integral membrane phospholipase C enzyme, leading to the formation of intracellular second messengers. These messengers then trigger the activation of PKC, which initiates a phosphorylation cascade.
Step-by-step explanation:
Protein Kinase C (PKC) is activated by several steps in the cell signaling pathway. The activation of PKC begins with the binding of an effector signal molecule to its receptor, which activates an integral membrane phospholipase C enzyme. Phospholipase C catalyzes the formation of cytosolic inositol triphosphate (IP3) and membrane-bound diacyl glycerol (DAG), two intracellular second messenger molecules. IP3 interacts with receptors on the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, causing the release of sequestered Ca++ ions into the cytoplasm. Finally, Ca²+ ions and DAG activate PKC, which initiates a phosphorylation amplification cascade leading to cell-specific responses.