Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) is a specific activator of group A (alpha, betaI, betaII, gamma) and group B (delta, epsilon, eta, theta) Protein Kinase Cs (PKCs) (in the 1-100nM range). Phorbol esters, such as PMA, affect PKCs by mimicking diacylglycerol, a natural ligand and activator of PKCs. PMA is an effective skin irritant and potent tumor promoter in mice. A common alternative name for PMA is 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA).
