LKB1, the multitasking tumour suppressor kinase

J Clin Pathol. 2005 Jan;58(1):15-9. doi: 10.1136/jcp.2003.015255.

Abstract

Mutations in the lkb1 gene are found in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), with loss of heterozygosity or somatic mutations at the lkb1 locus, suggesting the gene product, the serine/threonine kinase LKB1, may function as a tumour suppressor. Patients with PJS are at a greater risk of developing cancers of epithelial tissue origin. It is widely accepted that the presence of hamartomatous polyps in PJS does not in itself lead to the development of malignancy. The signalling mechanisms that lead to these PJS related malignancies are not well understood. However, it is evident from the recent literature that LKB1 is a multitasking kinase, with unlimited potential in orchestrating cell activity. Thus far, LKB1 has been found to play a role in chromatin remodelling, cell cycle arrest, Wnt signalling, cell polarity, and energy metabolism, all of which may require the tumour suppressor function of this kinase and/or its catalytic activity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Animals
  • Cell Polarity / physiology
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / physiology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome / enzymology
  • Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • STK11 protein, human
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases