Skip to main content

LKB1

Meaning

LKB1 is a critical tumor suppressor gene that codes for a serine/threonine kinase protein, officially known as STK11, which acts as a master upstream regulator of fundamental cellular processes including energy metabolism and growth control. It is a pivotal component of the AMPK signaling pathway, sensing the cell’s energy status and regulating essential functions like cell polarity, proliferation, and programmed cell death. Germline mutations in LKB1 are genetically linked to Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, an inherited condition predisposing individuals to various cancers.