PKAkt1/PKBa Human

The recombinant form of Protein Kinase Akt1 is a glycosylated polypeptide with a molecular mass of approximately 59.1 kDa. It is fused with a polyhistidine tag at the N-terminus to facilitate the removal of Akt1 kinase from the reaction mixture . This recombinant enzyme is typically produced in Sf9 insect cells and is purified using proprietary chromatographic techniques .

Akt1 is involved in several critical cellular pathways:

1. Cell Survival and Apoptosis: Akt1 inhibits apoptotic processes, thereby promoting cell survival. It phosphorylates and inactivates components of the apoptotic machinery, such as the pro-apoptotic protein BAD .
2. Metabolism: Akt1 regulates glucose uptake by mediating insulin-induced translocation of the SLC2A4/GLUT4 glucose transporter to the cell surface . It also phosphorylates and inhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), promoting glycogen synthesis .
3. Protein Synthesis and Growth: Akt1 induces protein synthesis pathways, contributing to skeletal muscle hypertrophy and general tissue growth. It phosphorylates and activates mTORC1 signaling, leading to increased protein synthesis .
4. Angiogenesis: Akt1 promotes angiogenesis by enhancing the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other angiogenic factors .

The inactive form of Protein Kinase Akt1 is used in various research applications, particularly as a negative control in experiments or as a substrate for phosphorylation studies . This form lacks protease activity, making it suitable for controlled experimental conditions .

The recombinant Protein Kinase Akt1 should be stored at -20°C for long-term storage and at 4°C if it will be used within 2-4 weeks. It is essential to avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles to maintain its stability and activity .