PKA

cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is the prototypical second-messenger kinase of the AGC family. In resting cells it exists as an inactive tetramer of two regulatory (R) and two catalytic (C) subunits; binding of four cAMP molecules to the R subunits, generated downstream of Gas-coupled receptors, releases the active C subunits, which phosphorylate substrates at the R-R-X-S/T consensus. RIalpha and RIIbeta regulatory isoforms confer distinct subcellular localization through AKAP anchoring proteins, creating spatially restricted signaling pools. PKA relays hormonal control of glycogen, lipid, and glucose metabolism, cardiac contractility, insulin and neurotransmitter secretion, and CREB-dependent transcription underlying memory formation. Germline lesions in PRKACA and PRKAR1A cause Cushing syndrome and Carney complex. Recombinant catalytic subunits are standard tools for cAMP-pathway biochemistry.