AKAP79 and the evolution of the AKAP model

A molecular explanation for the specificity of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) can be provided by its compartmentalization through association with A-kinase-anchoring proteins (AKAPs). Structural and functional studies have led to the development of an anchoring model proposing that AKAPs contain a common PKA binding domain and a unique subcellular targeting domain. The discovery that AKAPs can bind other signaling enzymes led to the addition of a third property, that of scaffolding molecule. Recent research has now expanded the role of AKAPs to members of multiunit complexes containing both upstream activators and downstream targets.