PICK1, an anchoring protein that specifically targets protein kinase Calpha to mitochondria selectively upon serum stimulation in NIH 3T3 cells.

PICK1 binds to protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) through the carboxylate-binding loop in its PDZ (PSD95/Disc-large/ZO-1) domain and the C terminus of PKCalpha. We have previously shown that PICK1 modulates the catalytic activity of PKC selectively toward the antiproliferative gene TIS21. To investigate whether PICK1 plays a role in targeting activated PKCalpha to a particular intracellular compartment in addition to regulating PKC activity, we examine the localization of PICK1 and PKCalpha in response to various stimuli.