The p53 family comprises three genes that encode for p53, p63 and p73. These genes have a significant degree of sequence homology, especially in the central sequence-specific DNA-binding domain. The high homology among the three DNA-binding domains indicates that these transcription factors have identical residues interacting with DNA, and thus potentially can recognize the same transcriptional targets. In this study, we demonstrate that PKC delta is induced by p63 and p73 in Saos2 cells. The putative human PKC delta promoter harbours three p53-like binding sites (RE I, RE II, RE III). In order to confirm the transactivation of PKC delta by p53 family members, we performed transcription assays using the entire or selected regions of the promoter upstream of a luciferase reporter gene. The results obtained demonstrated that, at least in vitro, the p53 family members tested (TAp63 alpha, TAp73 alpha, Delta Np63 alpha, but not Delta Np73 alpha) were able to drive transcription from the PKC delta promoter. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.