PKACa2-RIIa2

Protein Kinase A (PKA) is a crucial enzyme in cellular signaling, primarily regulated by cyclic AMP (cAMP). It exists in two main isoforms: Type I (PKA-I) and Type II (PKA-II). The focus of this article is on the Type II alpha isoform, specifically the recombinant form of the holoenzyme.

The PKA holoenzyme is a tetramer composed of two regulatory ® and two catalytic © subunits. In the Type II alpha isoform, the regulatory subunits are encoded by the PRKAR2A gene . The binding of cAMP to the regulatory subunits causes the dissociation of the holoenzyme into a dimer of regulatory subunits bound to cAMP and two free catalytic subunits .

cAMP is a signaling molecule that activates PKA by binding to its regulatory subunits. This activation leads to the phosphorylation of various target proteins, which in turn modulates numerous cellular processes such as metabolism, gene expression, and cell cycle progression .

Recombinant PKA Type II alpha is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which allows for the expression of the PRKAR2A gene in host cells. This recombinant form is used in research to study the enzyme’s structure, function, and role in various cellular processes. It is also utilized in drug discovery and development to identify potential therapeutic targets .

Mutations in the PRKAR2A gene have been associated with several diseases, including Carney Complex and Macs Syndrome . Understanding the function and regulation of PKA Type II alpha is crucial for developing targeted therapies for these conditions.