A-kinase anchoring protein 8-like (AKAP8L)

A-kinase anchoring protein 8-like (AKAP8L) is a multifunctional scaffolding protein of the AKAP family, primarily involved in anchoring protein kinase A (PKA) and organizing diverse signaling complexes within the nucleus and cytoplasm[1][3]. It enables histone deacetylase and lamin binding activity, participates in cell cycle regulation (notably G2/M transition), mitotic chromosome condensation, and the export of mRNA from the nucleus[1][2]. AKAP8L modulates chromatin structure by interacting with histone-modifying complexes and plays roles in transcriptional control and RNA splicing. It interacts with key regulatory proteins, such as mTORC1, and enhances protein translation, cell growth, and proliferation. Dysregulation or overexpression of AKAP8L has been associated with several cancers—affecting cell "stemness," proliferation, and chemoresistance—and with neurodevelopmental abnormalities such as macrocephaly and microcephaly[3][4]. AKAP8L serves as a cancer biomarker (notably in renal clear cell carcinoma and gastric cancer) and is proposed as a promising therapeutic target due to its central regulatory functions, although no clinically approved drugs directly target it as of now[3][4].

Other names

NAKAP95HA95NAKAPHAP95Helicase A-binding protein 95Homologous to AKAP95 proteinNeighbor of AKAP95AKAP8-like protein

Potential for targeted inhibition through disruption of protein-protein or protein-RNA interactions essential for tumor proliferation, chemoresistance, or cell cycle regulation[4]