Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

1.6K

AMPK-like proteins and their function in female reproduction and gynecologic cancer

Claire Baumgartner1, Anil Kumar Yadav2, Ilana Chefetz3

  • 1University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States.

Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology
|March 1, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Serine-threonine kinase 11 (STK11), or liver kinase B1 (LKB1), regulates cellular energy and acts as a tumor suppressor. Its downstream AMPK-like proteins are crucial for reproductive health and gynecologic cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Serine-threonine kinase 11 (STK11), also known as liver kinase B1 (LKB1), is a key regulator of cellular homeostasis.
  • LKB1 functions as a tumor suppressor and is the primary activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and related AMPK-like kinases.
  • The AMPK-like protein family includes NUAK1/2, SIK1-3, MELK, and BRSK1/2, involved in diverse cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the AMPK-like protein family.
  • To elucidate the roles of AMPK-like proteins in reproductive physiology.
  • To explore the involvement of AMPK-like proteins in gynecologic cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on STK11, LKB1, AMPK, and AMPK-like proteins.
  • Analysis of the functions of AMPK-like proteins in reproductive processes.
  • Investigation of the dysregulation of AMPK-like proteins in gynecologic malignancies.

Main Results:

  • AMPK-like proteins are implicated in critical reproductive functions including follicular maturation, oocyte maturation, and early embryonic development.
  • Dysfunctional AMPK-like proteins contribute to cancer cell survival by blocking apoptosis and promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, facilitating metastasis.
  • Aberrant expression of these proteins is observed in ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers.

Conclusions:

  • The AMPK-like protein family plays significant roles in both normal reproductive physiology and the pathogenesis of gynecologic cancers.
  • Further classification and study of AMPK-like proteins may reveal novel therapeutic targets for gynecologic cancer treatment.
  • Understanding LKB1 and its downstream effectors offers insights into cellular energy balance and cancer progression.
Keywords:
AMPK-related kinasesAMPKαCervical cancerEndometrial cancerGynecologic cancerLKB1MenopauseMenstruationOvarian cancerOvaryOvulationOvum development

More Related Videos

Isolation of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes for Nascent Protein Synthesis Analysis by Non-radioactive L-azidohomoalanine Labeling Method08:04

Isolation of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes for Nascent Protein Synthesis Analysis by Non-radioactive L-azidohomoalanine Labeling Method

Published on: October 23, 2018

19.1K
Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer06:51

Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer

Published on: July 21, 2018

18.0K

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
3.8K
cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways01:25

cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways

Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) is an essential second messenger that activates protein kinase A (PKA) and regulates various biological processes. A single epinephrine molecule binds to GPCR and activates several heterotrimeric G proteins, each stimulating multiple adenylyl cyclase, amplifying the signal, and synthesizing large numbers of cAMP molecules. Small changes in cAMP concentration affect PKA activity. The binding of four cAMP molecules induces a conformational change in PKA,...
6.5K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
4.8K
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.4K
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors01:27

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
2.6K