Protein kinase A regulatory subunit I alpha (PRKAR1A)

Protein kinase A regulatory subunit I alpha is a key regulatory subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase type I (PKA), which controls the activity of the kinase in response to intracellular cAMP levels. PRKAR1A forms part of a heterotetrameric PKA holoenzyme, consisting of two regulatory and two catalytic chains; the regulatory subunit binds cAMP, inducing the release and activation of the catalytic subunits, which phosphorylate numerous downstream targets to mediate essential processes including cell growth, division, and transcriptional regulation. Mutations in PRKAR1A are associated with Carney complex, endocrine tumors, and acrodysostosis type 1, underscoring its physiological and clinical importance. The protein also interacts with A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs), allowing for precise spatiotemporal regulation of PKA signaling within cells.

Other names

protein kinase, cAMP-dependent, regulatory subunit type I alphaPKR1CNC1CARPrkar1alphatissue-specific extinguisher 1 (TSE1)

Modulation of cAMP levels (activating/inhibiting activation of the PKA complex through PRKAR1A). Allosteric regulation via cAMP binding to regulatory subunits (leads to dissociation and activation of catalytic subunits).