STK11

STK11, serine/threonine kinase 11, is also known as LKB1 (Liver Kinase B1). It is a protein expressed in a variety of human tissues, particularly in liver, kidney and lung tissues.The mechanism of action of STK11 involves acting as a protein kinase that regulates a variety of cellular processes including cell polarity, cell cycle, cell proliferation and apoptosis by phosphorylating serine and threonine residues.STK11 is a key regulator of the LKB1-AMPK-mTOR signalling pathway that It inhibits the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin protein) signalling pathway by activating AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), thus playing a role in energy homeostasis and cell growth. Biologically, mutations in STK11, a tumour suppressor gene, have been associated with the development of several cancers, particularly in lung adenocarcinomas and gastrointestinal tumours.Loss of STK11 activity may lead to cell cycle deregulation and tumour formation, making it an important target in cancer therapy.