Serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1: Structure, biological functions, and its inhibitors

Hyunsoo Jang; Youngjun Park; Jaebong Jang

doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.1036844

Serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1: Structure, biological functions, and its inhibitors

Front Pharmacol. 2022 Nov 15:13:1036844. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1036844. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Hyunsoo Jang¹, Youngjun Park^{2

3}, Jaebong Jang¹

Affiliations

¹ College of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea.
² Laboratory of Immune and Inflammatory Disease, College of Pharmacy, Jeju Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, South Korea.
³ Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, South Korea.

Abstract

Serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) is a serine/threonine kinase belonging to the protein kinase A, G, and C (AGC) family. Upon initiation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) and phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) phosphorylate the hydrophobic motif and kinase domain of SGK1, respectively, inducing SGK1 activation. SGK1 modulates essential cellular processes such as proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. Hence, dysregulated SGK1 expression can result in multiple diseases, including hypertension, cancer, autoimmunity, and neurodegenerative disorders. This review provides a current understanding of SGK1, particularly in sodium transport, cancer progression, and autoimmunity. In addition, we summarize the developmental status of SGK1 inhibitors, their structures, and respective potencies evaluated in pre-clinical experimental settings. Collectively, this review highlights the significance of SGK1 and proposes SGK1 inhibitors as potential drugs for treatment of clinically relevant diseases.

Keywords: SGK1; T cell modulation; cancer; ion channel; kinase inhibitor.

Publication types

Review