cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit type II beta (PRKAR2B) (PRKAR2B)

cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit type II beta (PRKAR2B) is a regulatory component of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) signaling pathway, predominantly expressed in the brain and adipose tissue (UniProt P31323). It acts as a cAMP sensor; the binding of two cAMP molecules to each R subunit causes the dissociation of the PKA holoenzyme, thereby activating the catalytic subunits (PubMed: 10751400). PRKAR2B plays a critical role in regulating energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism, as evidenced by PRKAR2B-knockout mice which exhibit a lean phenotype and resistance to diet-induced obesity (PubMed: 8620912). Beyond metabolism, it is involved in dopaminergic signaling and synaptic plasticity within the central nervous system (PubMed: 15738233). Due to its tissue-specific expression and role in metabolic regulation, it is considered a potential therapeutic target for obesity and type 2 diabetes (PubMed: 21467194). Drugs interacting with this target typically include cAMP analogs or molecules that modulate PKA localization via A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) (PubMed: 12730115).

Other names

PRKAR2BProtein kinase A regulatory subunit type II betaRII-betaPKA RII-betacAMP-dependent protein kinase type II-beta regulatory subunitR2BR2beta

Allosteric activation of PKA through cAMP binding to regulatory subunits, leading to the release of active catalytic subunits (PubMed: 10751400).