PRKCE gene encoding protein kinase C-epsilon—Dual roles at sarcomeres and mitochondria in cardiomyocytes

•PKCε action in cardiomyocytes is spatiotemporally regulated.•PKCε acts on sarcomeric targets and regulates cardiac contraction and hypertrophy.•PKCε targets mitochondria to modulate metabolism and elicit cardioprotection.

Protein kinase C-epsilon (PKCε) is an isoform of a large PKC family of enzymes that has a variety of functions in different cell types. Here we discuss two major roles of PKCε in cardiac muscle cells; specifically, its role in regulating cardiac muscle contraction via targeting the sarcomeric proteins, as well as modulating cardiac cell energy production and metabolism by targeting cardiac mitochondria. The importance of PKCε action is described within the context of intracellular localization, as substrate selectivity and specificity is achieved through spatiotemporal targeting of PKCε. Accordingly, the role of PKCε in regulating myocardial function in physiological and pathological states has been documented in both cardioprotection and cardiac hypertrophy.