Encyclopedia
Serine/threonine kinase 11: The STK11 gene (also called LKB1) provides instructions for making an enzyme called serine/threonine kinase 11.
- genes
1. Normal Function
The STK11 gene (also called LKB1) provides instructions for making an enzyme called serine/threonine kinase 11. This enzyme is a tumor suppressor, which means that it helps keep cells from growing and dividing too fast or in an uncontrolled way. This enzyme helps certain types of cells correctly orient themselves within tissues (polarization) and assists in determining the amount of energy a cell uses. This kinase also promotes a type of programmed cell death known as apoptosis. In addition to its role as a tumor suppressor, serine/threonine kinase 11 function appears to be required for normal development before birth.
2. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
2.1. Breast cancer
Inherited changes in the STK11 gene greatly increase the risk of developing breast cancer, as well as other types of cancer, as part of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (described above). These mutations are thought to account for only a small fraction of all breast cancer cases.
2.2. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
Inherited mutations in the STK11 gene cause Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, a condition characterized by the development of noncancerous growths called hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and a greatly increased risk of developing several types of cancer. More than 340 STK11 gene mutations have been identified in people with this condition. Many of these mutations result in the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional version of the serine/threonine kinase 11 enzyme. Other mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) used to build the enzyme. Mutations in the STK11 gene impair the enzyme's tumor suppressor function, allowing cells to grow and divide without control or order. This uncontrolled cell growth can lead to the formation of hamartomatous polyps and cancerous tumors.
2.3. Other cancers
Noninherited (somatic) mutations in the STK11 gene have been found in various forms of cancer. Somatic mutations are acquired during a person's lifetime and are present only in certain cells. They do not occur as part of a cancer syndrome. Somatic STK11 gene mutations have been identified in a form of lung cancer called non-small cell lung carcinoma, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, an aggressive type of skin cancer called melanoma, and pancreatic cancer. These mutations impair the function of serine/threonine kinase 11, which can allow cells to grow and divide uncontrollably and contribute to the formation of a cancerous tumor.
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Lung cancer
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Ovarian cancer
3. Other Names for This Gene
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LKB1
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PJS
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serine/threonine kinase 11 (Peutz-Jeghers syndrome)
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Serine/threonine-protein kinase 11
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STK11_HUMAN
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/stk11
References
- Hardie DG, Alessi DR. LKB1 and AMPK and the cancer-metabolism link - ten yearsafter. BMC Biol. 2013 Apr 15;11:36. doi: 10.1186/1741-7007-11-36. Review.
- Hemminki A, Markie D, Tomlinson I, Avizienyte E, Roth S, Loukola A, Bignell G,Warren W, Aminoff M, Höglund P, Järvinen H, Kristo P, Pelin K, Ridanpää M,Salovaara R, Toro T, Bodmer W, Olschwang S, Olsen AS, Stratton MR, de la ChapelleA, Aaltonen LA. A serine/threonine kinase gene defective in Peutz-Jegherssyndrome. Nature. 1998 Jan 8;391(6663):184-7.
- McGarrity TJ, Amos CI, Baker MJ. Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome. 2001 Feb 23 [updated 2016 Jul 14]. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Stephens K, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University ofWashington, Seattle; 1993-2020. Available fromhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1266/
- National Cancer Institute: Genetics of Breast and Gynecologic Cancers (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version
- Vaahtomeri K, Mäkelä TP. Molecular mechanisms of tumor suppression by LKB1.FEBS Lett. 2011 Apr 6;585(7):944-51. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2010.12.034.
- Weissman SM, Weiss SM, Newlin AC. Genetic testing by cancer site: ovary.Cancer J. 2012 Jul-Aug;18(4):320-7. doi: 10.1097/PPO.0b013e31826246c2. Review.
- Wingo SN, Gallardo TD, Akbay EA, Liang MC, Contreras CM, Boren T, Shimamura T,Miller DS, Sharpless NE, Bardeesy N, Kwiatkowski DJ, Schorge JO, Wong KK,Castrillon DH. Somatic LKB1 mutations promote cervical cancer progression. PLoSOne. 2009;4(4):e5137. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005137.
- Zhuang ZG, Di GH, Shen ZZ, Ding J, Shao ZM. Enhanced expression of LKB1 inbreast cancer cells attenuates angiogenesis, invasion, and metastatic potential. Mol Cancer Res. 2006 Nov;4(11):843-9.
