In follow up to Constantine Stratakis’ 2019 SfE BES Dale Medal Lecture, this article provides a comprehensive review discussing the role of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in co-ordinating metabolic responses. Presenting evidence from studies of human epidemiology, endocrine disease and obesity, combined with rodent knockout models, London et al. systematically evaluate the evidence for the roles of this ubiquitous signalling molecule and the upstream/downstream Gs_α signalling pathway components. They cover aspects including tissue-specific functionalities of PKA/the PKA pathway via knockout animals, through roles of PKA in hypothalamic and central energy sensing, and energy sensing/storage and expenditure and insulin secretion.

Read the full article in Journal of Endocrinology 246 R51–R64