PRKAB2 - protein kinase AMP-activated non-catalytic subunit beta 2 Gene

The protein encoded by this gene is a regulatory subunit of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK is a heterotrimer consisting of an alpha catalytic subunit, and non-catalytic beta and gamma subunits. AMPK is an important energy-sensing enzyme that monitors cellular energy status. In response to cellular metabolic stresses, AMPK is activated, and thus phosphorylates and inactivates Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC) and beta-hydroxy beta-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), key Enzymes involved in regulating de novo biosynthesis of fatty acid and Cholesterol. This subunit may be a positive regulator of AMPK activity. It is highly expressed in skeletal muscle and thus may have tissue-specific roles. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2013]