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cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase A (PKA) is a crucial enzyme in cellular signaling pathways. It is a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a significant role in regulating various cellular processes, including metabolism, gene expression, and cell cycle progression. The catalytic subunit α (Cα) of PKA is one of the primary isoforms responsible for its enzymatic activity.
PKA exists as a tetrameric holoenzyme composed of two regulatory subunits and two catalytic subunits. In its inactive form, the catalytic subunits are bound to the regulatory subunits. Upon binding of cyclic AMP (cAMP) to the regulatory subunits, the holoenzyme dissociates, releasing the active catalytic subunits .
The catalytic subunit α (Cα) contains the active site responsible for phosphorylating target proteins. The recognition motif for phosphorylation by PKA is RRXS/TY, where Y is typically a hydrophobic residue . This phosphorylation event is critical for modulating the activity of various proteins involved in cellular signaling pathways.
The human recombinant form of the PKA catalytic subunit α is produced using recombinant DNA technology. It is typically expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) systems, which allows for high-yield production and easy purification . The recombinant enzyme is often used in research to study PKA’s role in cellular processes and to develop potential therapeutic interventions.
PKA is involved in numerous cellular functions, including:
The recombinant form of the PKA catalytic subunit α is widely used in biochemical and pharmacological research. It serves as a valuable tool for studying the enzyme’s structure, function, and regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, it is used in drug discovery efforts to identify compounds that can modulate PKA activity for therapeutic purposes .