Serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) (SGK1)

Serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase belonging to the AGC kinase family, closely related to the Akt/PKB family (UniProt O00141). It is uniquely characterized by its rapid transcriptional induction by various stimuli, including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and osmotic stress (PubMed: 21566076). SGK1 plays a pivotal role in regulating the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the kidney, thereby controlling sodium reabsorption and blood pressure (PubMed: 11069681). Beyond renal function, SGK1 is involved in cell survival, proliferation, and the inhibition of apoptosis, often acting as a downstream effector of the PI3K signaling pathway (PubMed: 30243712). In the context of disease, SGK1 is frequently overexpressed in various cancers, where it contributes to tumor growth and resistance to chemotherapy and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors (PubMed: 28655770). It is also implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension, diabetes, and fibrotic disorders, making it an attractive therapeutic target. Small molecule inhibitors like GSK650394 and EMD638683 have been developed for research purposes to explore its potential in treating these conditions (PubMed: 21903857).

Other names

SGKSerine/threonine-protein kinase Sgk1Serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1

Inhibition of serine/threonine kinase activity to modulate downstream signaling pathways such as ENaC-mediated sodium transport and PI3K/Akt-related survival pathways.