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An atypical protein kinase C is a member of the protein kinase C family whose regulation differs from the conventional calcium- and diacylglycerol-responsive forms. Atypical isoforms participate in signalling and cellular polarity, including complexes with PAR-6. Their name describes a regulatory subfamily; it does not mean that all protein kinase C enzymes share the same activation requirements. ^[ref]

PAR-6 is a polarity scaffold protein that interacts with an atypical protein kinase C and the small GTPase Cdc42. These interactions connect a nucleotide-dependent signal to localized kinase activity and cortical organization. Family members and developmental contexts differ, so a general complex architecture does not establish an identical role in every tissue. Positioning the complex helps cells distinguish one surface domain from another. ^[ref]