PRKAA1 (protein kinase AMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha 1)

Abstract

Protein kinase AMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha 1 (PRKAA1), also known as AMPK α1, is an energy sensor that plays a key role in the regulation of cellular energy metabolism. AMPK α1 is the catalytic subunit of the heterotrimeric AMPK protein with a length of 548 amino acids. A key switch to activate this protein is an alteration in the AMP/ATP ratio. The protein is dysregulated in several human diseases including diabetes and metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and many cancer types (Steinberg and Kemp, 2009). Two isoforms of AMPK exist including AMPK α1 and AMPK α2; however, discrimination between these isoforms for their involvement in certain diseases is currently not possible.